Primary election ballots take shape in Muncie, Gaston and Eaton
MUNCIE, Ind. − The deadline for filing to be on the primary ballots in the Democrat and Republican parties passed Friday, leaving a picture of the choices voters will have in the May 2 election.
There is only one contested primary race for the Democrats this spring. That is the District 6 Muncie City Council. The seat is now held by Democrat Roger Overbey, who was placed on the city council a year ago by a Democrat Party caucus following the resignation of Anitra Davis, who had represented District 6.
Overbey will face two Democrats in Monte M. Murphy and Harold D. Mason Jr.
Races are more plentiful in the Republican primary, with Mayor Dan Ridenour opposed by Tony Cox, who also ran for mayor in the GOP primary in 2019 but lost to Ridenour.
The at-large race for council will feature Republican incumbents squaring off against other party members, including Dale Basham, who stage an unsuccessful run for The Indiana House of representative last year.
In Indiana, voters must choose to vote to nominate candidates in one of the two parties for the fall general election. Public offices in cities and towns, including Muncie, Gaston and Eaton, are up for election this year.
In the Democrat Party, candidates who filed to run include:
Muncie Mayor: Jeffrey L. Robinson, currently serving as president of the Muncie City Council. He is unopposed in the primary.
Muncie City Clerk: Norma Norman is running unopposed.
Muncie City Judge: Amanda C, Dunnuck, an incumbent, is running unopposed. There is no Republican candidate who has filed.
Muncie City Council At-Large: Audie Barber and William C. McIntosh are unopposed. Third spot remains open. Up to three candidates are nominated for three at-large seats on council.
Muncie City Council District 1: Steve Craig, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 2: Nora K. Evans Powell, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 3: Brandon M. Garrett, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 4: Sara Gullion, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 5: Jerry D. Dishman, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 6: Harold D. Mason Jr., Monte M. Murphy and Roger Overbey, Incumbent.
Gaston Clerk-Treasurer: Traci L. Pittenger, Unopposed, Incumbent
Gaston Council District 1: Katina M. Gleeson, Unopposed, Incumbent
Gaston Council District 2: No candidate
Gaston Council District 3: Brett A Ellison, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Eaton Clerk-Treasurer: Bridgett DeWees, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Eaton Council District 1: No candidate.
Eaton Council District 2: Dustin D. Reese, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Eaton Council District 3: Teresa L. Welsh, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Eaton Council District 4: Meghan Deckman, Incumbent. Unopposed.
Eaton Council District 5: Daniel L. Blankenship, Incumbent. Unopposed.
In the Republican Party, candidates who filed to run include:
Muncie Mayor: Tony Cox, retired police officer who also ran in 2019; and Daniel J. Ridenour, Incumbent.
Muncie City Clerk: Belinda M. Munson, Incumbent, Unopposed.
Muncie City Judge: No candidate.
Muncie City Council at-large: Five candidates are vying for the GOP nod. The top three vote getters will win nomination for three at-large seats in the fall general election. Dale Basham, who most recently was a 2022 candidate for Indiana General Assembly; Aaron R. Clark, Incumbent; Troy A. Ingram, Incumbent; Roza Selvey, Incumbent and Marwin Strong, community activist.
Muncie City Council District 1: Jeffrey L. Green, Incumbent
Muncie City Council District 2: Josh Taulbee, who is voter registration clerk for Delaware County, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 3: Chuck Leonard and Nicholas (Nick) Taulbee.
Muncie City Council District 4: Brad Marshall; Isaac R. Miller, Incumbent, and Brandy Webb.
Muncie City Council District 5: Andrew Popp, Unopposed.
Muncie City Council District 6: Kyle Temple, Unopposed.
Gaston Council District 2: Robert Holland, Unopposed.
Gaston Council District 3: Kameron J. Petro, Unopposed.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Primary election ballots take shape in Muncie, Gaston and Eaton
