Yahoo News Filing continues for state, county slots for Lake and Porter in May primary
Three candidates so far are looking to represent the Democratic Party in the May primary as voters look to find an elected replacement for the District 3 seat in the state Senate formerly held by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton.
Current Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, is looking to retain the spot he won by caucus after Melton took over as mayor Jan. 1. He narrowly edged out new Gary Common Councilman Mark Spencer for the spot. Spencer was endorsed by Melton and will be running in May for his chance to represent the 3rd District.
Four-term Gary Common Councilman Ronald Brewer has also tossed his at in the ring for the party’s nomination to represent the 3rd District. Brewer was first elected to the council in 2011.
Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, will be seeking another term as the 2nd District representative. Sens. Ed Charbonneau, R-5, and Rick Niemeyer R-6 all filed for reelection to their districts and are currently unopposed.
Over in the House, incumbent Rep. Ragen Hatcher is being challenged by attorney Heather McCarthy for the chance to represent the 3rd District. Hatcher is seeking her fourth term as a representative after a stint on the Gary Common Council and an unsuccessful 2015 bid for mayor. McCarthy is a political newcomer and experience municipal attorney.
Reps. Mike Andrade, D-Munster; Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond; Chuck Moseley, D-Portage; and Vernon Smith, D-Gary, are seeking reelection in their districts 12, 1, 10 and 14 respectively. At this time all are running unopposed for their party’s nomination in the primary.
On the Republican side of the aisle, Reps. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, and Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, also are running unopposed at this time to retain their seats in Districts 15, 11 and 19 respectively. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, also is unopposed in his bid to serve another term representing District 4.
Republican Jeff Larson, a former member of the Porter County Council, has filed for District 10 seat; he is unopposed in the primary so far.
In the race for open county offices incumbent Coroner David Pastrick, a Democrat, will be challenged in the May primary by Danielle Carter. That is the only challenge in May in Lake County at this time. Pastrick is wrapping up his third term in office. He was first elected and reelected in 2000 and 2004. Term limits prevented a round in 2012 and he successfully ran for the seat again in 2020 and is seeking a second term again.
Along with Pastrick, incumbent Recorder Gina Pimentel, Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr., Commission Mike Repay, D-Hammond, and Commissioner Jerry Tippy, R-Schererville, also filed the paperwork necessary to seek reelection. With the exception of Pastrick, all currently are running unopposed.
In Porter County, where winter weather shut county offices Friday, the following candidates have filed for the May primary: Jimmy (Jim) Albarran, Republican, treasurer; Kevin D. Breitzke, incumbent, Democrat, surveyor; Ed Morales, Republican, commissioner, South County; and Jim Biggs, incumbent, Republican, commissioner, North County.
County council at-large candidates are Republicans Michelle Harris and Nate Uldricks, and Democrats Bob DeRuntz and Erik Wagner.
Filing for the May primary opened Jan. 10 and will continue through noon Feb. 9.
Staff reporter Amy Lavalley contributed.
