Most incumbents hold onto offices in Boone County primary

In Boone County Tuesday night, most incumbents who faced challenges clinched their party’s nomination, including Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry.

Gentry, 30, was first elected mayor of the city of about 16,000 in 2015.

In the Republican primary, he was challenged by Robert Hawkins and Deborah Ottinger in a race in which 2,587 votes were cast. Gentry won with about 48% of the vote. Ottinger took 31%, and Hawkins earned 21%.

No Democrats ran for mayor in the primary, but the local Democratic party and other minor parties will have the opportunity to slate candidates against Gentry later this year, if they choose to.

Other contested Lebanon races were for the District 2, District 3, District 4 and at-large city council seats.

In District 2, incumbent Keith Campbell, a Republican, held off a challenge from Larry Hysong. Campbell took 75% of the vote.

In District 3, Caleb Edwards, a Republican, beat incumbent Morris Jones with 69% of the vote. And in District 4, incumbent Dick Robertson, also a Republican, beat challenger Brian Tandy with 62% of the vote.

There was also a contested race for the two at-large seats on the city council, which are currently held by Brent Wheat and Dan Fleming. The pair faced a challenge from Huck Lewis. Fleming lead the pack with 37% of the vote, Wheat received 35% and Lewis took 27%.

In Whitestown, only one race was contested Tuesday. Town Council District 5 representative Kevin Russell, a Republican, faced a challenge from Bob Worl, who won the party’s nomination with 61% of the vote. Russell took 39% in the race in which 116 ballots were cast.

In Zionsville, the only other Boone County community with a mayor, incumbent Tim Haak, a Republican, ran unopposed in the primary. So far, no Democrat has filed to run against him in November. There were no challengers for town council seats so no primary was held there Tuesday. So far, only one Democrat has filed to run for Town Council. Democrat Bret Brewer will face Republicans Alexander Choi and Brad Burk in November’s general election for two at-large seats.

In Whitestown, no Democrats have filed to run for office, but one Libertarian has. Erik Charles has filed to run against incumbent Eric Miller, a Republican, in the District 3 council race.