Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton files for re-election on Jan. 26.
Submitted photo
HANCOCK COUNTY — More candidates have filed to run in this year’s primary election, setting additional races ahead of the declaration deadline at the end of the week.
The county’s Republican incumbent prosecutor has turned in his candidacy paperwork, solidifying the primary contest between him and a former deputy prosecutor. Other offices held by Republicans facing challengers in their re-election bids include the Buck Creek Township trustee, McCordsville Town Council and Indiana’s 6th Congressional District.
The deadline is Friday, Feb. 4 to declare one’s intention to run in the primary election of a major party. Those interested in running can file paperwork at the county election office, located on the second floor of the Hancock County Courthouse.
Independent or minor party candidates have until June 30 to file to run in the general election, which will take place Nov. 8.
To vote in the May 3 primary, voters will need to register by April 4.
Prosecutor Brent Eaton, a longtime county Republican, officially filed candidacy paperwork last week. He’s facing Grey Chandler, a McCordsville resident and attorney with a private practice as well as a former deputy prosecutor for Madison County and Hancock County before that.
“I am running for re-election as your prosecutor so we can keep moving forward with the progress we have made,” Eaton said in a news release.
Eaton, who was first elected in 2014, pointed to his work over the last several years as reason for the community to re-elect him, saying his office has restored support for law enforcement and has earned their trust.
“We continue protecting our communities by winning tough cases, such as sexual assault, murder and other major felonies,” Eaton said. “With the help of voters, we can keep moving forward for Hancock County.”
Eaton’s goal is to make Hancock County one of the safest communities in the state, he said.
A three-way race among Republicans for Buck Creek Township trustee has formed between incumbent Jack Negley and challengers Micki Simunek and Kenny Simmons.
Two of McCordsville Town Council’s at-large seats are, at this point, contested among incumbents Chad Gooding and Tom Strayer as well as fellow Republicans Bryan Burney and Scott Jones. The winners of that race are slated to face Democrat Andrea Yovanovich come November.
There’s also a four-way GOP race so far for the three seats on the Vernon Township Adivsory Board between two incumbents, Tim Plank and Marybeth Sears, as well as Jeffrey Augustinovicz and Anthony Buechler.
U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, has filed for re-election for Indiana’s 6th District, which includes Hancock County. Fellow Republicans Zach Smith and Mark Powell also seek the position.
In Fortville, Republican Fritz Fentz is so far unchallenged for his at-large town council seat. Ryan Rummell has filed on the GOP ticket for the town council’s District 2, currently held by Robert Holland.
Republican Chad Coughenour has filed for Hancock County surveyor, a position currently held by Susan Bodkin.
In other township trustee elections on the Republican side, incumbents Steve Leonard, Florence May and Theresa Ebbert have filed for Center, Vernon and Brown townships, respectively. Stephanie Jones has filed for Green Township. Jayson Combs is looking to move from Sugar Creek Township Advisory Board member to township trustee.
Township trustee and board seats will be on the ballot for each of Hancock County’s nine townships.
Joshua Gillmore and Nansi Custer have joined the Republican contest for Indiana House of Representatives District 54, which includes Hancock County’s southeastern corner. Heather Carie, Melissa Meltzer, Bobbi Plummer, Betsy Mills and Gayla Taylor are also running, as is Nan Polk on the Democratic side. The seat will be up for grabs due to the forthcoming retirement of Rep. Tom Saunders, a Republican who has served since 1996. Due to 2020 redistricting, a portion of Hancock County is included in the district for the first time.
Other Hancock County Republican incumbents who remain unchallenged are Lisa Lofgreen for clerk, Debra Carnes for auditor, Marcia Moore for recorder, Brad Burkhart for sheriff, Jeannine Gray for the county council’s District 1, Jim Shelby for council District 3, Bill Bolander for council District 4 and Mary Noe for council District 2, although Democrat Frank Rock looks to face her in the general election.
The Hancock County Commissioner District 2 race continues to include Republicans Marc Huber and Gary McDaniel.
Also on the ballot will be one of Indiana’s U.S. Senate seats; incumbent Republican Todd Young is seeking re-election. Indiana Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield, remains unchallenged for House District 53. Indiana Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, remains unchallenged for House District 88, which includes parts of western Hancock County, although Hancock County Democrat Donna Griffin looks to challenge him in November.
Election reminders
The deadline is noon Friday, Feb. 4 to file a declaration of candidacy for a major political party primary nomination. Those interested in running can file paperwork at the county Election Office, located on the second floor of the Hancock County Courthouse.
To vote in the May 3 primary, voters will need to register by April 4. Registration can be completed at indianavoters.in.gov.
