Republican candidates for most municipal offices in the November election are going to be elected without opposition. Democratic County Chairman Joe Weingarten said Friday that despite his earlier hopes for candidates, including one for mayor of Carmel, there will be none other than a handful of city council hopefuls already filed around the county.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard is essentially re-elected to a seventh term. Also to be elected are mayoral candidates Chris Jensen in Noblesville, Scott Fadness in Fishers, and Andy Cook in Westfield. Technically, Democrats have until June 30 to fill vacancies on their November general election ticket. But, none have come forward.
Weingarten said there is still a possibility of a city council candidate in Fishers. Three Democrats for Fishers council who secured a place on the ballot in the May primary are: Jocelyn Vare, at-large; Lane Skeeters, South Central District, and Adam Kaps, Southwest District.
In Noblesville there are three Democrats: Paula Gilliam at-large, Jason Myers in District 5 and Jeremy Hawk in District 6. And, in Carmel, Democrats for council are Cleaster Davis in the Central District, Ti’Gre McNear in the Northeast District, William Howard II in the North District and Miles Nelson in the West District.
No Democrats are filed in Westfield, Sheridan, Cicero, Arcadia or Atlanta. Weingarten said the county party is sponsoring an Emerging Leaders Project designed to prepare younger Democrats, ages 21 to 40, for seeking office in the future.
He also announced that he is accepting applications for the position of County Democratic Party secretary. The post is currently vacant. Persons interested should contact the chairman by June 21.