GOP filings trickle in for upcoming primary

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Two more Republican filings last week left the GOP one candidate shy of a complete ballot for county-wide offices, while no Democrats have filed yet.

Coroner Dave Brown filed his paperwork to appear on the May 3 primary, while Jim Wright became the second Republican seeking one of three at-large seats on the seven-member Putnam County Council.

Brown is seeking his second term as coroner, and is currently unopposed inside and outside his party.

Wright, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for Greencastle mayor last year, joins veteran councilman Larry Parker in seeking the three Republican nods for the at-large council seats.

Republican councilmen Phil Gick and Gene Beck have not yet filed for re-election.

Other Republican primary candidates include incumbent David Berry for District 1 commissioner, incumbent Don Walton and Mike Clark for District 3 commissioner, incumbent Lorie Hallett for auditor, Kathy Minnick for treasurer and incumbent Matt Headley for Putnam Circuit Court judge.

Also appearing on the primary ballot are Democrat and Republican state convention delegates and Republican precinct committeemen.

One new development among state-level candidates is District 37 State Senator Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) filing to seek another term.

Republican Todd Young became the first person from either party to officially enter the race for U.S. Senate. The seat is currently held by Republican Dan Coats, who is retiring.

In the race for U.S. House District 4, Democrat Ryan Farrar has filed for the seat occupied by Republican Todd Rokita, who is again seeking the GOP nomination.

Candidate packets for county-level offices are available at the Putnam County Voter Registration Office on the second floor of the courthouse. Circuit court judge is filed at the state level.

The completed forms must be turned in by noon on Friday, Feb. 5 in order for a candidate to appear on the Tuesday, May 3 Primary Election ballot.

The Voter Registration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The office may be reached at 655-1538.