New faces bound for Noblesville city council as incumbents depart

John Tuohy, Indianapolis Star
Updated ·3 min read

Noblesville has two competitive city council primary races in seats being vacated by two of its longest-serving members.

At-large councilor Brian Ayers is retiring after 20 years and councilman Greg O’Connor is leaving his District 5 seat after 16 years. O’Connor is a senior vice president of commercial banking at M&I Bank. Ayer started Ayer’s Real Estate in 1978.

A crowded field has jumped into the at-large race: five Republicans and one Democrat, with the top three from each party advancing to the November general election.

Incumbent Darren Peterson, an architect, is seeking his second full term as an at-large. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2018 and won the following election in 2019.

Incumbent District 2 Councilor Pete Schwartz is running for re-election as an at-large candidate. Schwartz, a realtor and son of former long-time Hamilton County Councilor Steve Schwartz, is seeking a second term.

The other Republicans running at-large are:

Evan Elliott, owner of Elliott Real Estate in Noblesville.

Nick Gomillion, a senior Human Resources professional at SCA Health.

Mike Field, owner of Field Rubber Products in Noblesville.

The lone Democrat running for an at-large seat is Mary Jo Gilliam, who ran unsuccessfully for council in the last two elections.

Two Republicans will battle for the District 5 seat O’Connor’s departure opens up.

Dave Johnson, a geologist who has served on several city boards.

Rocky Shanehsaz, owner of Mill Top Banquet & Conference Center in downtown Noblesville. He also ran for council in 2019.

Newcomer Todd Thurston, a commercial sales manager at Hare Truck Center in Noblesville who has been a member of city boards, is running unopposed in District 2.

Mayor Chris Jensen and City Clerk Evelyn Lees are running unopposed on the Republican side, with no Democrats fielding candidates.

Councilman Dan Spartz, who was appointed in 2012 to fill a seat vacated by former Councilor Will Hampton, is not running for office.

Other Republican incumbents running for re-election are Mike Davis in District 2, Aaron Smith in District 3 and Mark Boice in District 5.

The primary election is May 2. Noblesville residents can vote at two early voting sites through May 1. The locations and hours are:

Judicial Center, One Hamilton County Square, Noblesville.

  • April 10-14 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • April 17-21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • April 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • April 24-28 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • April 29 from 9 to 4 p.m.

  • May 1 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville

  • April 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • April 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • April 24-29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • May 1 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Voters can find election day precincts near them at Indiana Voters.

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at (317) 444-6418. Follow on Twitter andFacebook.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New faces bound for Noblesville council as incumbents depart