Primary election ballot certified by Secretary of State

The ink is all dry on the May 7 primary election ballots — as if there was any ink at all in the age of electronic voting.

On Thursday, the Election Division of the Office of Indiana Secretary of State certified the primary ballots for Republican and Democrat parties.

At the local level, there is no change from the most recent reporting from the Banner Graphic, with just two contested county races, both on the GOP ballot.

Four candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for District 1 Putnam County Commissioner — Andy T. Beck of Bainbridge, Brad Buck Buchanan of Greencastle, David Fuhrman of Bainbridge and Don B. Hatfield of Bainbridge.

Meanwhile, five candidates seek three nominations for at-large positions on the Putnam County Council — Amanda Brown of Greencastle, incumbent Stephanie (Summitt) Campbell of Greencastle, Daryn Clifford of Roachdale, Chad Colvin of Russellville and Kerry L. Williams of Greencastle.

All other county races are uncontested — incumbents Tom Helmer for District 3 Commissioner, Kristina (Alexander) Berish for Putnam County Auditor and Todd Zeiner for Putnam County Coroner as well as Karrie Minor for Putnam County Treasurer.

There are no Democrats seeking nominations for county office in the primary.

Of local interest in higher-level offices is that Congressman Jim Baird of Greencastle has three challengers for his Fourth District seat from within the Republican Party — Charles Bookwalter of Thorntown, Trent A. Lester of Lafayette and Jon P. Piper of Camby. Meanwhile, Rimpi K. Girn of Plainfield and Derrick Holder of Martinsville are seeking the Democrat nod.

In State Senate District 24, which represents the northern nine townships of Putnam County, Brett Clark and Anne L. Engelhardt, both of Avon, are seeking the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by the retiring John Crane. Former Greencastle City Councilor Veronica Pejril is the lone Democrat candidate for the office.

In State Senate District 37, which represents the southern four townships, President pro tem Rodric Bray of Martinsville is being challenged by fellow Republican Jay Hart of Morgantown. Mooresville Democrat Kimberly M. Schofield is also seeking the District 37 seat.

Current District 44 State Rep. Beau Baird of Greencastle is the only member of either party seeking the seat.

The period of voter registration for the primary ends at noon on Monday, April 8.

The full lists of candidates, by party, on local ballots will include:

Republican
U.S. President: Nikki R. Haley, Donald J. Trump
U.S. Senator: Jim Banks, John Rust
Governor: Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, Curtis Hill, Jamie Reitenour
U.S. Representative Fourth District: Jim Baird, Charles Bookwalter, Trent A. Lister, John P. Piper
State Senator District 24: Brett Clark, Anne L. Engelhardt
State Senator District 37: Rodric D. Bray, Jay Hart
State Representative District 44: Beau Baird
County Auditor: Kristina (Alexander) Berish
County Coroner: Todd Zeiner
County Treasurer: Karrie Minor
County Commissioner District 1: Andy T Beck, Brad Buck Buchanan, David Fuhrman, Don B Hatfield
County Commissioner District 3: Tom Helmer
County Council at-large (vote for 3): Amanda Brown, Stephanie (Summitt) Campbell, Daryn Clifford, Chad Colvin, Kerry L. Williams
Convention Delegate (vote for 11): Beau Baird, Scott F Bieniek, Jack D Billman, Joan P Billman, Cody Eckert, Elizabeth M Fiscus, Paul A Fiscus, Laura Hatton, Tyler Heavin, Jennifer Sue Jackson, Laura A. Stamper
Precinct Committeeman: Brayden M. White (Cloverdale 2), Clyde Wallace Hinkle (First North), Austin Malayer (Floyd East), Marsha S Carrington (Floyd West), Joan P Billman (Foxridge), Scott F Bieniek (Greencastle North), Ronald Lee Campbell (Jackson), Karen Griffin (Monroe West), James W Ensley (Second East), Amanda Brown (Second West), Laura A Stamper (Third West), Patrick C Thibodeau (Washington North)

Democrat
U.S. President: Joseph R. Biden Jr.
U.S. Senator: Marc Carmichael, Valerie McCray
Governor: Tamie Dixon-Tatum, Jennifer G. McCormick
U.S. Representative Fourth District: Rimpi K. Girn, Derrick Holder
State Senator District 24: Veronica J. Pejril
State Senator District 37: Kimberly M. Schofield
Convention Delegate (vote for 6): Kimberly Anne Fidler, Veronica J. Pejril