By Don Steen
Staff Writer n reporter@psci.net
This year’s Primary Election is set for Tuesday, May 5, and Spencer County will have some contested races to decide before the November contest. Local Democrats will have four candidates to choose from for their party’s nominee for U.S. House Representative for District 8.
Republicans will have to choose between two candidates for Spencer County Auditor and a crowded six-way race for two seats on the Santa Claus Town Council. In addition, both Luce and Ohio Township boards will have four Republicans vying for three available seats.
More candidates may appear on the final ballot between the Primary and November as independent candidates file for local races.
Santa Claus Town Council
One of the marquee races for the Spencer County Primary this election cycle will center on Santa Claus, where six Republicans are vying for two seats. Incumbents Jason M. Little and Brian Scott Warran are both seeking re-election. Competing for those positions are Dale Atchison, Kevin D. Farmer, Matt Goffinet, and Brent A. Kaiser.
The top two vote getters will secure their place on the ballot for November. No Democrats filed for these seats as of the deadline.
Spencer County Auditor
Republicans across the county will have to decide between retaining incumbent Auditor Melissa Bunner and current Highway Administrator Gina Mullen, both of Rockport. No Democrats have filed for this race.
U.S. Representative for District 8
Incumbent Republican Mark Messmer of Jasper is running unopposed for re-election to his seat. Four Democrats have filed for the nomination to challenge Messmer in November. These include Mary Allen of Evansville, Mario Foradori of Terre Haute, Christopher Rector of Tell City, and Tabitha Zeigler of Covington.
State Representative for District 48
Incumbent Republican Daryl Schmitt of Jasper is running unopposed in the Primary. Democratic challenger, Brad Hochgesang of Jasper will face him in the fall.
Spencer County Council
The coast is clear through the Primary for Republican candidates for Spencer County Council. Newcomer Chris Kirkpatrick of Rockport is running unopposed for the District 2 seat currently held by Republican Susan Harris. Incumbents Steve Haaff of Rockport, David Fromme of Dale, and Justin Grose of Grandview are running unopposed in District 1, 3, and 4 respectively, for the Primary at least.
Democrats have fielded Sara J. Arnold of Dale to face Fromme in District 3 and Brittany J. Horn of Evanston to run against Grose in District 4 in November.
Spencer County Commissioner for District 1
Incumbent Republican Jim Seiler has no opposition in the Primary and no Democrat has filed to run against him in the fall.
Spencer County Circuit Court Judge
Incumbent Democrat Jon Dartt of Rockport is running unopposed in the Primary. No Republican filed for this race.
Spencer County Prosecutor
Incumbent Republican Megan L. Bennet of St. Meinrad is running unopposed. No Democrat has filed.
Spencer County Sheriff
Incumbent Republican Sherri Heichelbech of Rockport is running unopposed. No Democrat has filed.
Spencer County Coroner
Incumbent Republican Layla C. Thayer of Rockport is running unopposed. No Democrat has filed.
Spencer County Assessor
Incumbent Republican Melissa Woolard of Richland is running unopposed. No Democrat has filed.
Township Trustees
There are no contested races among the township trustee positions this cycle. Among the Republicans, Angie Schmidt of Lincoln City is unopposed for Carter Township Trustee, Nikolaus Greulich of Santa Claus for Clay Township Trustee, Jane Lynam of Grandview for Hammond Township, Tracey L. Gelarden of Evanston for Harrison Township Trustee, Rhonda J. Fella of Evanston for Huff Township Trustee, Jeremy Gorman of Rockport for Luce Township Trustee, and Jon Hargis of Rockport for Ohio Township Trustee. No Democrats have filed for these positions.
Among Democrats, Jeanne Thomas of Chrisney is running unopposed for Grass Township Trustee and Julie A. Walls of Gentryville for Jackson Township Trustee. No Republicans have filed for those two races.
Luce Township Board
The Luce Township Board will feature the only contested Primary race among townships this cycle. The top three vote getters among four Republican candidates will secure a place on the ballot. Candidates include Rick Garrett of Richland, Lisa Hemmer of Newburgh, Daryl Woolard of Richland, and Vicki Brauns of Richland. No Democrats have filed.
Ohio Township Board
Republicans Melissa Brauns of Rockport, Lee Frobeter of Rockport, Kyle Wilkerson of Rockport, and Deborah Hayse of Rockport will compete for three seats on the Ohio Township Board. Democrat Tom Lehr of Rockport is running unopposed in the Primary, setting up a race on the November ballot.
Carter Township Board
Republicans Jim Gries of Dale, Aaron Hedinger of Dale, and Stacey Keller of Santa Claus are running unopposed in the Primary. No Democrats have filed.
Clay Township Board
Republicans Debbie Kroeger of Santa Claus, Gary Schroeder of Lamar, and Cynthia Winchell of Santa Claus are running unopposed in the Primary. Democrat Delores McCauley of Santa Claus is the only Democrat running, and will seek one of the three available seats in the fall.
Grass Township Board
Republicans Raymond Lynam of Chrisney, Gary McDaniel of Boonville, and Nicholas Yearby of Chrisney are running unopposed in the Primary. Unopposed Democrat Cara Miller Matthews of Chrisney will compete for one of the three available seats in November.
Hammond Township Board
Republicans Norman Hughes of Grandview, George Lynam of Chrisney, and Sandy Snyder of Grandview are running unopposed in the Primary. No Democrats have filed.
Harrison Township Board
There are only three candidates for three available seats across both parties this cycle. Republican Brenda Buechler of Ferdinand and Democrats Brenda Kress of Santa Claus and Alan Waninger of St. Meinrad are all running unopposed.
Huff Township Board
Republicans Brittney Cochenour of Evanston and Matthew Knepper of Evanston are running unopposed in the Primary. No Democrats have filed.
Jackson Township Board
Democrats Mary C. Spellmeyer of Gentryville, Nicole Griepenstroh of Gentryville, and James Anderson of Jackson Township are running unopposed in the Primary. No Republicans have filed.
