HANCOCK COUNTY – More candidates have filed for the upcoming primary in this year’s municipal elections, resulting in more contests among Republicans and ensuring match-ups with Democrats later this fall.
On the ballot in May will be Greenfield mayor, clerk-treasurer and all seven City Council seats; Cumberland Town Council districts 3, 4 and 5; Fortville Town Council District 1, which has two seats, and one District 2 seat; and McCordsville Town Council districts 1, 2 and 3. The deadline to file for a major political party nomination is noon Feb. 3 at the Hancock County Election Office, located on the second floor of the Hancock County Courthouse, 9 E. Main St., Greenfield.
In Greenfield, Democrat Nate Anderson has filed for mayor. Republican Lori Elmore looks to keep her seat as the city’s clerk-treasurer. GOP incumbent Anthony Scott is running for City Council District 1. Jessica Fisk-Abraham has filed for City Council District 2, sealing a Republican race with Amy Kirkpatrick. Michael Howard is challenging incumbent Jeff Lowder in a GOP contest for City Council District 4. Democrat Bradley Morris is running for City Council District 5.
In Cumberland, GOP incumbent Erica Salmon has filed for clerk-treasurer. Republicans Anna Pea and Joseph Siefker look to continue representing Town Council districts 3 and 5, respectively. Bob Carrell looks to replace fellow Republican Breck Terheide for Town Council District 4. While he had yet to file as of press time, Hancock County Democrats Chair Linda Genrich said Democrat Frank Rock intends to file for Cumberland Town Council District 5 as well.
In Fortville, Republican Melissa Glazier looks to keep serving as clerk-treasurer. The Town Council’s two District 1 seats have drawn incumbent Tonya Davis and fellow Republican Vanessa Battaglia. The GOP’s Sean Simmons is challenging incumbent Libby Wyatt for Town Council District 2.
In McCordsville, Clerk-treasurer Stephanie Crider will not be on the primary ballot. She told the Daily Reporter she plans to run in the general election as an independent. Crider recently got the position after a county GOP caucus, but the party’s leader said she’d have to challenge any Republican election candidacy from Crider due to her lack of primary voting history per a new state law.
McCordsville Republican Megan Brewer has filed for clerk-treasurer. Her husband and fellow Republican, Greg Brewer, hopes to keep representing District 2 on the Town Council. Democrat Linda Robinson is also running for District 2. GOP incumbent Larry Longman faces challenger John Price for Town Council District 3.
The latest entrants follow several who threw their hats in the ring earlier on in the filing period. Kerry Grass, Tyler Rankins and Guy Titus remain the three Republicans running for Greenfield mayor. The GOP’s John Jester, Mitch Pendlum and Daniel Riley seek Greenfield City Council’s two at-large seats. Republicans Joyce Plisinski and Thomas Moore are running for Greenfield City Council District 3 and 5, respectively.
Hancock County Republican Party Chair Janice Silvey welcomes the GOP candidates who are running.
“Overall I’m pleased that capable people are coming out and running for the election this time,” she said.
Genrich said she and her fellow Democrats are excited to give voters better options for change and fresh ideas. She recalled how last year’s election offered the bulk of Democratic candidates located in McCordsville and Buck Creek Township.
“This year, at least two candidates are focused on serving the city of Greenfield as mayor and councilman,” she said.
Part of McCordsville continues to be represented, Genrich continued, adding the party is still in discussions with potential candidates from every corner of the county for this year’s election and even 2024.
“The conversations prove there is a lot of sincere love for where we live and the understanding of what it takes to allow for positive growth,” she said. “To step up to serve is a brave and noble task and those willing to do so earn our respect and appreciation every day. Hancock County has for too long allowed electable seats to just be filled without the real heart of what goes into serving.”
The primary election is May 2.
