Candidate filing period opens Wednesday

Wednesday is the first day candidates may file to appear on the 2020 primary election ballot in Indiana.

The filing period runs through noon on Friday, Feb. 7.

The 2020 primary election is set for Tuesday, May 5, with the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In Putnam County, races on the ballot include superior court judge, auditor, treasurer, coroner, both District 1 and District 3 county commissioners and all three at-large county council seats.

Additionally, Republicans will be choosing 13 state convention delegates as well as all GOP precinct committeeman positions.

Democrats will be choosing nine state convention delegates but precinct committeemen are not up until 2022.

Candidate packets for any Republic or Democrat seeking one of these positions are available at the Voter Registration Office on the second floor of the Putnam County Courthouse.

Officials currently serving in these county roles (all Republicans) are Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges, Auditor Lorie Hallett, Treasurer Kathy Minnick, Coroner Dave Brown, District 1 Commissioner David Berry, District 3 Commissioner Don Walton and at-large councilmen Gene Beck, Larry Parker and Phil Gick.

While most of these candidates have not stated their intentions for the coming term, Hallett has reached her limit of two terms as auditor, while Brown has indicated he plans to retire.

For more information, contact Voter Registration Clerk Stacia Hathaway at 655-1538.

In addition to these, governor, attorney general and all Indiana Senate and Indiana House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot.

Legislators who currently represent Putnam County are District 24 Sen. John Crane (R-Avon), District 37 Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) and District 44 Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle).

At the federal level, Congressman Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) will seek his second two-year term representing Indiana’s Fourth District.

The only other federal office set to appear on local ballots is that of U.S. President.