Filings produce contested primaries in Madison County for both parties

Ken de la Bastide, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
Updated ·2 min read

Feb. 9—ANDERSON — There was a lot of activity during the final two days of filing for respective party nominations in the May 7 primary election.

Filing for the primaries ended at noon Friday at the Madison County Clerk's office.

There are seven contested nominations in the Republican Party and four in the Democratic Party primary.

Of the three incumbent Republicans occupying the Madison County Council's at-large seats, two have decided not to seek re-election.

Anthony Emery and Ben Gale are not running for another term.

Incumbent Republican Mikeal Vaughn is seeking re-election and is campaigning with first-time candidate Kristi Grabowski.

Former state senator and local party chairman James Abraham is running for one of the three nominations.

Four Democrats — including three former elected officials — are seeking three at-large positions.

Rebecca Crumes, who lost a bid for re-election to the Anderson City Council, is running for county office.

Fred Reese Jr., who lost a district race on the county council in 2022, is running for the office.

The Republican Party has contested primaries for both positions on the Madison County Board of County Commissioners.

Incumbent John Richwine is being challenged for the District 3 nomination by Lisa Wittkamper Rinker.

Incumbent Darlene Likens is not seeking re-election for the District 2 seat. Current Madison County Auditor Rick Gardner is seeking the nomination against Devin Norrick and Marquest Higgins.

Norrick lost a bid for a district seat on the county council in 2022; Higgins lost last November for a seat on the city council.

No Democrats have filed in District 3.

Republicans have a contested primary for auditor with chief deputy Todd Culp being opposed by Katherine Callahan, the former chief deputy in the coroner's office.

No Democrats have filed for the nomination for Circuit Court Division 3 judge, surveyor or auditor in the May primary.

The party has until July to fill ballot vacancies.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.