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Democrats seek
candidates for fall
Only Republican candidates ran in Hancock County’s local primary election, but there is still a chance that non-Republican names may make it onto the ballot for November.
Democratic candidates for any local office could be appointed by the county party by June 30. Any Democrats interested in running should call Hancock County Democratic Party chair Randy Johnson at 615-828-0466; they will need the approval of the party to file as Democratic candidates.
“We’re still looking for candidates,” Johnson said. “We can make arrangements to get them filed by the end of the month.”
Johnson said he has seen interest from several individuals in running, although none have yet committed. He is particularly seeking Democratic candidates for county council, in which voters will choose three candidates who can come from anywhere in the county.
Anyone interested in running for office as an independent must file documentation with the Hancock County Election Office by July 15.
Voter turnout
tops 12,000
Long lines formed at all four county vote centers on Tuesday, forcing them to remain open past the 6 p.m. closing time and delaying final results until nearly 10 p.m.
But overall turnout actually was anemic considering the number of contested races, especially on the Republican ballot.
A total of 12,202 ballots were cast in the election that ended Tuesday, according to a tally released by the county election office. About half of those were cast early, either in person or by absentee, after state election officials encouraged voters to use mail-in ballots in the face of COVID-19 restrictions.
That was about 10,000 fewer than in 2016, when an energetic GOP presidential race was on the ballot. It was about 8,000 fewer than in 2008, when a large number of voters cast Democratic ballots in the race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Turnout was similar to elections in the spring of 2012 and 2004, neither of which had competitive presidential primary races.
County Clerk Lisa Logreen said late on election night that a turnout of 10,000 would be impressive given the situation with COVID-19. The election was delayed by a month, and multiple restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. That included opening many fewer vote centers than usual.
“I was happy with the turnout,” Lofgreen said on Wednesday.
Pence cruises
to re-nomination
U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, whose congressional district includes Hancock County, easily won renomination for a second term on Tuesday.
With about 75% of precincts reporting, Pence was leading Mike Campbell by a margin of more than 4-to-1. Pence, the brother of Vice President Mike Pence, rolled up a similar margin in Hancock County.
In November, Pence will face Democrat Jeannine Lee Lake of Muncie, who was polling 70% of the votes in a three-way primary race with about 80% of precincts reporting.
The Pence/Lake race will be a rematch from 2018, an election won handily by Pence.
GOP picks state House candidates
Two candidates emerged from contested state House races on Tuesday. In District 57, which includes part of southern and western Hancock County, incumbent Sean Eberhart easily won nomination to another term. With 70% of precincts reporting, he was polling at 71% of the vote against Edward Comstock.
In District 88 — an open seat formerly held by retired House Speaker Brian Bosma — Chris Jeter of Fishers was well ahead of former Fishers deputy mayor Leah McGrath. With 75 of precincts counted, Jeter was leading by about 1,000 votes.
District 88 includes parts of western and northern Hancock County, including Fortville and McCordsville.
