Monroe County primary winners celebrate before turning toward general election

Candidates faced off in Monroe County's primary election Tuesday, with several Democrat ticket races contested. Most of Tuesday night's winners will turn their attention to the November election and their respective challengers.

Ruben Marté wins Democratic nomination for Monroe County sheriff

The winner of the Democratic primary for Monroe County Sheriff is Ruben Marté, a three-decade member of the Indiana State Police who won by a large margin.

He will face Republican Nathan Williamson, who is a road deputy for the department, in the November election.

More: Democratic sheriff primary offers diversity in candidates but not policy proposals

"I'm kind of numb right now," he said after the final results were posted on a screen at a Democratic election results party about 8:40 p.m. "Now is the time for us to work together. What separates us can bring us together for a greater cause."

He celebrated with family, friends and supporters after the results were announced, taking group pictures outside The Mill as the party wound down.

Earlier in the night, after early and absentee votes were totaled, Marté had a lead and it kept getting bigger. He spoke to the crowd then, saying if the results held true, "If we work as a team, there's nothing we can't accomplish."

During his campaign, Marté promised to implement community-based programs to bring collaboration and shared problem-solving skills to the department and to support a new modern jail with more options for prisoner counseling.

He also proposed a program to reduce community conflict and tension arising from controversies that stir unrest.

Second place in the sheriff's race went to Troy Thomas, a lieutenant on the sheriff's department, who got 25% of votes cast. There were three other candidates: county commissioners' administrator Angie Purdie got 12%, Stephen Hale, a deputy who ran as a Republican for sheriff in 2014, got 9% and Joani Stalcup, who is the Monroe County coroner, got 6%.

Voters choose Salzmann to run in general for Monroe Circuit Court judge

Bloomington lawyer Emily Salzmann won a four-way race in the primary to represent Democrats in the fall election for Monroe County Circuit Court judge.

Salzmann, managing partner at Salzmann Law, a Bloomington law firm, received 3,073 votes, or nearly 35% of the total.

“I’m incredibly pleased,” Salzmann said Tuesday evening at the Dimension Mill, where local Democrats were hosting an election night party.

Salzmann thanked her supporters and volunteers who spread the word about her campaign.

More: 4 women, all IU law grads, bring range of experiences to race for judge seat

The Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law graduate also said she thought she might have attracted some voters because she has served as a judge pro tempore in 35 cases.

“My judicial experience was … something that was appealing to people because I’ve sat in the chair,” she said.

“I know what that means and how I fit into that role,” Salzmann said.

Salzmann’s closest rival, Karen Wrenbeck, a deputy public defender in Monroe County, received 2,609 votes, or nearly 30% of the total. Allison Chopra, chief deputy prosecutor in Lawrence County, got 1,863 votes, or 21%, while April Ann Wilson, a deputy prosecutor in Monroe County, got 1,268 votes or 14%.

Salzmann will face Republican Carl Lamb in the general election in the fall. Lamb ran unopposed in the primary. The two will vie for the Monroe Circuit Court 7 seat. Current Judge Stephen Galvin is retiring at the end of his term.

More: Defense lawyer running for judge says stabbing victim's father offered campaign donation

Incumbent Lee Jones fends off primary challenge in commissioner race

Elizabeth "Lee" Jones held off primary challenger and political newcomer Dominic Thompson's bid to unseat her. Jones garnered 3,022 votes, or nearly 60% of the total. Thompson got 2,034 votes, or about 40%.

Jones could not be reached Tuesday evening.

Next, Jones will take on Republican nominee Perry B. Robinson, who was unopposed in the primary.

Recorder candidate Swain heads to general election

In the Democratic race for Monroe County recorder, Amy Swain prevailed over Ashley Cranor. Swain and received 50.25% percent of the vote, with only 40 votes separating the two candidates. Swain will face Republican Paul White in the general election.

“I don’t ever take anything for granted,” Swain said, “so I will still be out and talking with people and doing what it takes to win because I’m serious about wanting this position and putting forth my best effort to secure it.”

Swain expressed gratitude for those who voted, either in person or by mail, since mid-term elections are not always as interesting to the public, she said.

“I hope that there will be even better numbers in the fall,” she said. “It’d be nice to see those people exercise their right to vote.”

Swain was previously a board member for Indian Creek Township and currently serves as its clerk. She also worked as a records archivist for the city of Bloomington in 2015, when she converted public records into electronic forms in a searchable database.

If elected to the post, Swain would like to incorporate new communication options between the public and the office, such as a texting platform.

Cranor has been the county’s chief deputy recorder for the past seven years. She could not be reached for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County, Bloomington-area primary election results