The Valley and Vigo will see contested primary races

Feb. 9—The deadline to file for May 7 primary election was noon Friday, and the results show there will be a number of contested races on the ballots.

For instance, three incumbent Republican state representatives will be facing challengers for that party's nominations.

In State Representative District 45 on the Republican ballot, incumbent Bruce Borders of Jasonville has two challengers: Kellie Streeter, a Knox County commissioner, and Jeff Ellington, a former District 62 state representative who now lives in District 45.

In the 2022 primary, Borders defeated Ellington by a split of about 53% to 47%. While a county official since 2016, this will be Streeter's first run for the Indiana House.

District 45 encompasses all of Greene County and portions of Vigo, Sullivan and Monroe counties

Another contested GOP race for the Indiana House will be in District 42. There, incumbent Alan Morrison of Brazil has a challenger in Tim Yocum, the Vermillion County party chairman.

For the Democratic ballot, Chad Harmon was the lone Representative District 42 candidate.

Indiana Representative District 42 includes all of Parke and Vermillion counties and portions of Clay, Fountain and Vigo counties.

In nearby District 44, incumbent Republican Beau Baird filed for the GOP primary ballot, as did Clint Cooper.

No Democrat filed for District 44, although the Democratic Party could later choose to select a candidate by caucus.

Republican Incumbent Bob Heaton is unopposed on the Republican ballot in Representative District 46.

Democrat Kurtis Cummings has filed for Representative District 46 on his party's ballot.

In District 43, incumbent Democrat Rep. Tonya Pfaff has filed for the District 43 seat.

No Republican had filed for District 43, although the GOP could later choose to select a candidate by caucus.

There is no election for Indiana Senate in the Wabash Valley this year. Republican Jon Ford of Terre Haute left the Senate in October 2023. Greg Goode of Terre Haute was selected by party caucus to fill that position, and he will continue in the Senate District 38 seat through 2026.

Vigo County individual offices

Several primary races for individually held Vigo County offices will include contests.

In the race for county clerk, for instance, incumbent Republican Brad Newman is departing that office, as he is term limited in that position.

Republicans filing for clerk are Laureen Hoffman and Leanna Moore. Jack Kensell is the lone Democrat to file for clerk.

Democrat Jim Bramble is departing the auditor's office after two terms. For that office, Cheryl Loudermilk was the lone Democrat to file. Three candidates have filed for the Republican nomination: Rebecca Coleman, Larry T. Hutchings II, and Hobert (Hobie) Roberts.

In the race for Vigo County treasurer, incumbent Republican Josie Swalls-Thompson was the lone GOP candidate to file.

Democrats seeking their party's nomination for treasurer will be Tona J. Bean and Billy Joy.

For recorder, there is only candidate on each of the two major party ballots. Incumbent Republican Diana Winsted-Smith seeks the GOP nomination. Democrat Nancy Allsup has filed for her party's nod.

For coroner, incumbent Janie Myers is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination. John Thomas Fitzpatrick also seeking the nomination among Democrats.

Travis Norris was the sole Republican to file for coroner.

For Vigo Superior Court 6, where Judge Michael Lewis is not seeking reelection, one Republican and one Democrat filed for judge.

On the Republican ballot, Magistrate Judge Daniel Kelly seeks the nomination for Superior Court 6.

On the Democratic ballot, Terre Haute City Court Judge Kenneth E. McVey III filed for Superior Court 6.

Vigo Board of Commissioners

There are two district seats up for election on the Vigo County Board of Commissioners. While polling for commissioner is countywide, commissioner candidates must live in the district from which they run.

In Board of Commissioners District 2, two Republicans are seeking their party's nomination for the fall contest: Chris Switzer, the incumbent, and Anthony Rubinacci.

Democrats filing for District 2 are Dillon Moss and Courtney Indiana Weger.

In Commissioners District 3, incumbent Mike Morris was the lone GOP candidate to file.

Tony Kassissieh filed for Commissioners District 3 on the Democratic ballot.

Vigo County Council

For the Vigo County Council, which is the county's fiscal governance body, three at-large seats will be up for election come fall.

Democrats filing their party's three nominations were Marie Belzile-Theisz, Scott E. Fisher, Todd Thacker and James W. (Jim) Bramble. Belzile-Theisz and Thacker are incumbents.

Republicans filing for their party's three nominations were Brad A. Anderson, Steve (Top Gun) Elllis, Dustin (Dusty) Havens, Taylor R. Johnson, (Corporal) Tyler M. Johnson, Bill Treadway and Brenda Wilson.

Voter registration for the May primary ends April 8. Early in-person voting begins April 9.

Contact Mark Fitton at 812-231-4333 or mark.fitton@tribstar.com.