A ReCenter Indiana billboard on display in Merrillville in Northwest Indiana. (Photo provided by ReCenter Indiana)
HANCOCK COUNTY – Ahead of the primary election, which is now just a few days away, ReCenter Indiana — a self-described bipartisan political action committee (PAC) — has been encouraging Democrats to vote in the Republican primaries, further stating on their website that “any Hoosier can vote in the Republican primary.”
Recenter Indiana has listed the State Representative of District 53 race as one “where higher participation in the Republican primary could considerably affect the outcome.” The group also lists a number of races on their “watch list,” including the Republican primary race for State Representative of District 53 as one all voters should get involved with.
Those running for the District 53 seat vacated by Republican Bob Cherry include Republicans Keely Butrum, Brian Evans, Ethan Lawson and Kevin Mandrell. Democrat Nate Anderson is running unopposed on the other side of the ticket.
Having District 53 listed under “races to watch” on the ReCenter Indiana website has brought to the attention of Republican candidates that Butrum is currently listed on ReCenter Indiana’s political counsel.
Butrum, who admits she is on the website, said she was not involved in the ReCenter Indiana media campaign but was made aware that instead of endorsing candidates for the election, they would promote the idea that Democrats who don’t have contested primary elections should vote in any primary election.
“I know there was a mass text sent out suggesting I had some role in some recent billboards, which is absolutely not the case,” Butrum said. “I don’t serve on their board. I’ve never received $1 from them, endorsement from them, they’ve never offered to help me with my campaign. None of that.”
Butrum did acknowledge that she was asked as an elected official back in 2022 to share feedback on the newer organization from an elected official’s perspective, but that was the extent of her involvement with ReCenter Indiana. She said that reason is why her picture, name and information is still on their website.
As far as encouraging Democrat voters to get involved in the Republican primaries, Butrum said that it’s not an uncommon practice in many places in Indiana. Butrum said there are often not choices in Democratic primaries, and if somebody wants to choose who the best Republican candidate is for the job, so be it if there is not a Democratic contested race.
“I know holding elected office now, I represent every resident of Hancock County, regardless of whether or not they affiliated with a party at all, and whether or not they vote Republican, Democrat or otherwise,” Butrum said. “So, I think anyone who has a preference is allowed to choose, and that’s why the system is designed the way it is.”
Indiana is one of many states that hold open primaries, meaning that a voter doesn’t have to be affiliated with a certain party in order to vote in that primary.
Mandrell said he is opposed to Democrats having a voice in the Republican primary election. Based on the social media he has seen, Mandrell said ReCenter Indiana has been advertising their media campaign in Hancock County, and he doesn’t like it.
“It’s just the core values of the Republican party, conservative voters having their say in their vote and not being diluted by voters who don’t have the same viewpoint that we have,” Mandrell said. “I don’t think Democrats should have a say in a close Republican primary.”
Evans said there is a fine line on whether voters should vote in a primary that isn’t their registered party affiliation.
“Are you going to hinder someone’s ability to participate in our democratic process? Evans said. “Or are you going to have strict guidelines on what party you can vote for? And, you know, I don’t know the answer to what that is going to be.”
Evans also said that saying a Democrat can’t vote in a Republican primary because they’ve never voted in Republican primaries before might exclude somebody who likes to switch parties, something he says is more common than people might think.
“Maybe they voted for one party for a long time but then don’t like their candidate running and likes the other party’s candidate,” Evans said.
Lawson said that he believes the Republican primaries are “for voters who align with the public safety, economic, education and common-sense ideals” that are attracting more folks to the Republican party.
“I hear it daily while knocking on doors and talking with voters across our district, where there’s strong support for our campaign’s authentic, conservative message,” Lawson said.
While Lawson said all voters are free to choose their preferred candidate in the general election in November, he thinks outside influences for the sake of interfering with a party’s primary undermines the election process.
Anderson believes most Hoosiers are “purple” (centrists), sharing views of both Republican and Democrat values. Anderson, who has voted in Republican primaries in the past, said while he understands some Republican or Democrats are against voting in the opposite party’s primaries, many voters are actually swing voters.
“If there’s a bunch of seats running uncontested, the only time you’re going to have a choice to vote on what candidate is going to represent you — that’s going to be in the Republican primary or given the roles reversed in the Democrat primary, then I would encourage folks to vote,” Anderson said.
Linda Genrich, chair for the Hancock County Democratic Party, said that in her opinion, ReCenter Indiana is an organgization to keep a close eye on, and she still encourages voters to be cautious and as informed as possible with all political advertising, regardless of the party.
Butrum said having her picture still listed underneath the label “political counsel” can be misleading because she doesn’t have any ongoing communications with ReCenter Indiana, but again stressed she doesn’t have a problem with her name being up there.
“The last thing I want is for them to take it down over any kind of controversy because I didn’t do anything wrong,” Butrum said.
Butrum knows there are many organizations and PACs that have certain special interests, she said. However, when ReCenter Indiana was formed, she said it was not based on special interests but on supporting anti-extremist candidates from any party affiliation.
“I don’t have anything wrong with that concept,” she said. “But it is not accurate that I am, this year, last year, any kind of advisor to the group.”
Voters can vote early or on primary election day, May 7. For a list of voting centers and times, visit greenfieldreporter.com or hancockin.gov for information.
Reporter Kristy Deer contributed to this story.
