Local Democrats will have some tough choices to make during the upcoming primary election, with a dozen contested races expected on this year's ballot — several more than the contested races for Republicans.
The filing deadline to declare candidacy for a race in the primary was on Friday. In addition, candidates have until Monday to withdraw their candidacy.
Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Fraley said he thinks the party has a tremendous group of highly qualified and diverse candidates.
"Democratic voters are going to have some tough choices to make," Fraley said. "I think locally, we have got candidates that are able to appeal to the passion of progressive voters in Bloomington."
Some of the contested races include Indiana's 9th Congressional District, county prosecuting attorney, all open judge positions, county commissioner District 1, county council District 2 and several township boards.
Across the aisle, local Republicans do not have nearly as many contested races in this year's primary.
"Republicans are pretty much united around the candidates," Monroe County Republican Party Chairman William Ellis said.
He said many of those on the ballot so far are just seeking a chance to get into a position to address what they see as elected officials ignoring the public for the past four to six years.
Of the contested races on the Republican side, Ellis said the Clear Creek Township board race was a surprise — with six candidates. Other races include those for the boards in Washington and Van Buren townships. Also, the Republican primary for U.S. senator has three declared candidates.
Here is a list of the races candidates have filed for. Candidates also filed for state convention delegate and precinct committee positions, but those candidates are not included in this list.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
U.S. senator
• Joe Donnelly
U.S. House representative, District 9
• Dan Canon
• Rob Chatlos
• Liz Watson
State House representative, District 46
• E. Thomasina Marsili
State House representative, District 60
• Penny Githens
State House representative, District 61
• Matt Pierce
State House representative, District 62
• Amy Swain
County assessor
• Judith Sharp
County clerk
• Nicole Browne
County prosecuting attorney
• Erika Oliphant
• Margie Rice
• Matthew Schulz
County recorder
• Eric T. Schmitz
County sheriff
• Brad Swain
County commissioner, District 1
• Lee Jones
• Patrick Stoffers
County council, District 1
• Shelli Yoder
County council, District 2
• Troy Thomas
• Jayme Washel
• L. Kate Wiltz
County council, District 4
• Eric Spoonmore
Circuit court judge, Division 2, Seat 2
• Chris Gaal
• Christine Talley Haseman
Circuit court judge, Division 6, Seat 3
• Jeff Kehr
• Catherine Stafford
Circuit court judge, Division 9, Seat 8
• Geoffrey Bradley
• Darcie L. Fawcett
• Alphonso Manns
Bean Blossom Township trustee
• Pamela Cook
Benton Township trustee
• Michelle Bright
Bloomington Township trustee
• Kim Alexander
Indian Creek Township trustee
• Beverly Himes
Perry Township trustee
• Dan Combs
Salt Creek Township trustee
• Donn Hall
Bean Blossom Township Board
• Vernal Chafin
• Randy Jacobs
• Kelsey McGlocklin
• Benny Walden
Benton Township Board
• Brian Crouch
• Joseph Husk
• Hans Kelson
• Sean McInerney
Bloomington Township Board
• Lorraine Farrell
• Victor Kelson
• Robert Loviscek Jr.
• Barbara McKinney
• Marty Spechler
Indian Creek Township Board
• Rosemary Doherty
• Wayne Sullivan
Perry Township Board
• Jack Davis
• Abbey "Susie" Hamilton
• Barbara Sturbaum
Polk Township Board
• Vic Streiff
Salt Creek Township Board
• Guy Cunningham
Van Buren Township Board
• William E. Smith III
Washington Township Board
• Patricia Slabach
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES
U.S. senator
• Mike Braun
• Luke Messer
• Todd Rokita
U.S. House representative, District 9
• James Dean Alspach
• Trey Hollingsworth
State House representative, District 46
• Bob Heaton
State House representative, District 60
• Peggy Mayfield
State House representative, District 62
• Jeff Ellington
State House representative, District 65
• Chris D. May
County clerk
• Jacob Franklin
County commissioners, District 1
• Larry D. Barker
County council, District 1
• T. Ann Boehm
County council, District 2
• Ann Collins
County council, District 3
• Martha "Marty" Hawk
Bean Blossom Township trustee
• Ed Bitner
Bloomington Township trustee
• Azure Fender
Clear Creek Township trustee
• Thelma Kelley Jeffries
Indian Creek Township trustee
• LeAnn Freeman
• Christopher Reynolds
Richland Township trustee
• Marty Stephens
Van Buren Township trustee
• Rita Barrow
Washington Township trustee
• Barbara Ooley
Bean Blossom Township Board
• Vicki L. McGlockin
Bloomington Township Board
• Dawn Allen
Clear Creek Township Board
• Jacob Bartlett
• Robert Hall II
• Steve Hinds
• Randy May
• Dennis Miller
• John A. Thrasher
Indian Creek Township Board
• Scott Clarke
• Katrina Ladwig
Perry Township Board
• Jennifer Mickel
Richland Township Board
• Marjorie Clouse
• Dawn Durnil
• David Willibey
Van Buren Township Board
• Phyllis J. Finley
• Ronnie Pursell
• Mary Rice
• John Wilson
Washington Township Board
• Jerry Ayers
• Clayton Brickert
• Kenny Bryant
• Troy Lee Colvin
Ellettsville Town Council, Ward 4
• Kevin Farris
• Dan Swafford
