Tuesday’s primary to feature spirited local contests
Indiana’s first Election Day after pandemic-related complications comes Tuesday, and a few hotly contested primary races are in the spotlight.
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Jones leads race for campaign cash in crowded state Senate primary
Democrat Kristin Jones has raised more than $115,000 throughout the course of her campaign for Senate District 46 in Indianapolis. Her closest fundraising competitor in a five-way primary reported just over $68,000 in campaign contributions.
Indiana candidate traded $1M lake home for garage apartment
Indiana congressional candidate Mike Sodrel changed his voter registration last year to an address local officials say isn’t a residence—a large metal-sided garage that he says has a two-bedroom bachelor pad inside.
Crawford County judge involved in 2019 Indy shooting ends reelection bid after ‘incident’
Sabrina R. Bell of the Crawford Circuit Court announced Wednesday that she was ending her reelection campaign, just weeks before the May 3 primary election. Bell was first elected in November 2016.
Four Republicans eye Indiana House seat in northwest suburbs
A former state lawmaker, two military veterans and a small business owner are in a crowded primary race for a chance to nab the new Indiana House seat representing Boone and Hendricks counties.
Is Marion County’s tradition of slating candidates nearing its end?
For years, endorsements by Marion County’s political parties significantly reduced the chances of a hotly contested primary for each party’s nomination. But not so much these days. The change is particularly noticeable among county Democrats running for county clerk, county recorder and a state senate seat in the May 3 primary election.
Two contested seats in play for Hamilton County Council in May primaries
Four Hamilton County Council races are on the ballot for the May 3 primary, but only two will be contested when voters go to the polls.
GOP rivals crowd field for open Indiana congressional seat
Nine candidates are running in the May 3 primary for the district that U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth is giving up after six years, making him the only Indiana congressional incumbent not seeking reelection.
Zuckerberg money won’t be in next round of aid for elections
The not-for-profit that distributed most of the $350 million in donations from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to election offices in 2020 said Monday that it won’t disburse similar donations this year after backlash from conservatives.
Meet the five Democrats running for Indy’s new state Senate seat
The candidates are in a crowded primary election battle to become their party’s nominee for the seat.
Early voting starts, but without the crush of voters seen in 2020
In 2020, the pandemic pushed early in-person and mail-in voting to record levels in Indiana. A low-key midterm primary election and fewer public health concerns are expected to bring it back to its typical trickle this year.
Redistricting plan could add Republican-leaning seat, Black-majority district
The map ordinance—released Friday as part of the City-County Council’s agenda and formally introduced Monday—could also fold four Democratic incumbents into two districts, Democratic leaders confirmed Monday.
Indiana to double post-election audits in general elections
Post-election audits are done by manually checking a randomized sample of paper-voted ballots. In an audit, ballots are not tallied by scanners, and every sampled ballot is hand-counted to determine if the initial machine readings are confirmed and accurate.
Pence unveils Republican policy agenda for midterm elections
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s “Freedom Agenda,” released Thursday, combines traditional Republican goals like increasing American energy production, cutting taxes and rolling back regulations with priorities pursued by former President Donald Trump on issues like trade and immigration.
Pence distances himself from Trump as he eyes 2024 campaign
Former Vice President Mike Pence is working to craft a political identity independent of his former boss Donald Trump. The strategy carries substantial risk in a party still dominated by Trump and his claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Amendment aimed at Indy Democratic chair stripped out of bill
State lawmakers approved an election bill this week after rejecting an amendment targeting Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell, which would’ve required her to choose between her role as chairwoman and elected position as county recorder.
City-County Council concludes redistricting forum series with report
“The report makes clear council leadership’s determination to create space for a wide variety of community voices to be heard at the very outset of the redistricting process,” the council said in written statement.
State election watchdog forms Indianapolis redistricting commission
Common Cause Indiana announced Wednesday that it has formed a nine-member, “politically balanced” group called the Indianapolis Citizens Redistricting Commission, similar to a project it led last year aimed at Congressional and state redistricting.
Legislators vote to ban some officeholders from being Marion County party chair—but not themselves
A Democrat-authored amendment aimed at ousting Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell made it a step further this week when the Indiana House approved the elections bill it’s tacked onto. And the bill leaves the door open for state legislators to pursue her job.
City-County Council announces last Indianapolis redistricting forum
The event will be remote. The Zoom meeting is set for Feb. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is open to any interested Marion County resident with registration online.