By TheStatehouseFile.com & The Indiana Citizen
May 5, 2026
Indiana’s primary results indicated Hoosier Republican voters remain strongly supportive of President Donald Trump.
Of the seven senators who earned the president’s wrath for voting against redistricting, at least five were defeated in Tuesday’s election. The victors were all endorsed by Trump and ran campaigns that were fueled by millions of dollars from political action committees and nonprofits. Commercials for the challengers flooded the airwaves and repeatedly called attention to Trump’s backing.
The Indiana Republican Party posted on X congratulations to the GOP candidates who won their congressional primaries but did not issue any statement about the senate races.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, celebrated the GOP victories.
“Tonight, Hoosier Republican primary voters sent a clear message: they are tired of the status quo and want bold leadership at the Statehouse. Hoosier voters chose to stand with President Trump,” Rokita posted on X.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Democratic Party highlighted the Republican’s intraparty fight and extended the welcome mat to GOP voters.
“Trump and (Gov.) Mike Braun spent millions of dollars targeting their fellow Republicans. This fight reflects a party in shambles. They spent millions of dollars on ads attacking each other while Hoosiers struggle with $5/gallon gas,” Indiana Democratic Party chair Karen Tallian said in a press release.
“We invite all Hoosiers left behind by Republican policies to join us in November. It’s time for a change.”
Below is recap of Indiana’s primary 2026 with results from key races along with stories of voters and poll workers.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith tweets his response to primary results
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith wrote in a social media post: “Conservatives in Indiana spoke loud and clear tonight in favor of President Trump-supported candidates. A huge thank you to @TPUSA, the great @ScottPresler, and the thousands of Hoosiers who worked countless hours to help make this historic night happen. God bless America!”
Congressman Jim Baird declares victory in Republican primary
9:45 p.m.—Congressman Jim Baird declared victory in the Republican primary for Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District, thanking his family, supporters, and voters across the district for their trust and continued support in a press release.
“Tonight’s victory belongs to the people of Indiana’s Fourth District,” said Baird. “I’m incredibly grateful to my family and to the dedicated supporters and volunteers who stood with us every step of the way. I also want to thank President Trump for his leadership and unwavering commitment to putting America first.”
Baird also reflected on the recent passing of his wife, Danise, whose support was a constant throughout his life and career.
Baird said the campaign was built on a simple but enduring principle: service.
“Public service means showing up, doing the work, and delivering results, no matter the circumstances,” Baird said. “That commitment never wavers. I’m proud to continue fighting for the conservative values that matter to Hoosiers: securing our border, restoring energy independence, reining in spending, and ensuring government works for the people, not against them.”
Indiana Democratic Party responds to 2026 primary results
9:41 p.m.—The Indiana Democratic Party released the following statement from Chair Karen Tallian on Indiana’s 2026 Primary Election.
The following candidates are projected or leading in the races for Democratic nominations for Congress tonight: District 1: Frank Mrvan; District 2: Jamee Decio; District 3: Kelly Thompson; District 4: Drew Cox; District 5: JD Ford; District 6: Cinde Wirth; District 7: André Carson; District 8: Mary Allen; District 9: Brad Meyer.
“Thank you to the thousands of Hoosiers who worked long hours to make this election happen. Thanks to all the candidates who stepped up to run for office and put their name on the ballot. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers made their voices heard in this primary. Indiana has been known for low voter turnout, but today Hoosiers showed that’s starting to change,” Tallian said.
“Months ago, Donald Trump and his D.C. cronies came into our state and demanded Indiana gerrymander mid-decade to drown out the voices of Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana. Today, we’re proud André Carson and Frank Mrvan were overwhelmingly renominated to continue serving their communities.
The number of Democratic congressional candidates on the ballot today shows the unpopularity of Indiana’s seven congressional Republicans. Congratulations to all of our congressional nominees on their primary victories. State Senator J.D. Ford will put Indiana’s 5th District into the national spotlight. We will unseat Victoria Spartz.
Trump and Mike Braun spent millions of dollars targeting their fellow Republicans. This fight reflects a party in shambles. They spent millions of dollars on ads attacking each other while Hoosiers struggle with $5/gallon gas.
We invite all Hoosiers left behind by Republican policies to join us in November. It’s time for a change.”
9:21 p.m.—George Hornedo congratulated Rep. Andre Carson on his victory in the state’s 7th Congressional District but pointed out that this is one of the first challenging primaries that the incumbent has faced in almost 20 years. Carson fell significantly below his usual 85% votes that he has secured in the past, claiming roughly 60%.
“More than a third of Democratic primary voters chose something different,” Hornedo said.
Hornedo commended voters for their turnout, which broadly surpassed that of the 2022 Democratic primary.
The pressure of this year’s competitive primary goaded Carson into changing his mind on a federal data center moratorium and persuaded him to express support in ending Immigration Customs and Enforcement, Hornedo said.
“Indianapolis is ready for more. That energy didn’t disappear tonight. It’s looking for a home,” he said.
—Olivia O’Neal, TheStatehouseFile.com
SD11: Schmutzler defeats Rogers in GOP primary upset
9:20 p.m.—In District 11, Dr. Brian Schmutzler unseated incumbent Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger, in a Republican primary that highlighted sharp contrasts in messaging and priorities. A physician, husband, father, and lifelong Hoosier, Schmutzler ran as a values-driven outsider, emphasizing a platform rooted in “Faith, Family, and Freedom.”
Schmutzler’s campaign focused heavily on parental rights in education, opposition to government overreach, and concerns about healthcare access and rising costs. He directly aligned himself with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative from U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
This victory adds to a broader trend unfolding in the Republican primaries, where Trump-aligned challengers have largely prevailed against incumbents who split from the party on redistricting—winning most of the head-to-head contests and signaling a shift in GOP primary voter priorities.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
SD41: Davis defeats Walker in high-profile GOP primary
8:49 p.m.—In one of the cycle’s most closely watched Republican primaries, Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland, defeated incumbent Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, in District 41. Walker leaned on his legislative record and experience in the Senate, but Davis successfully positioned herself as the more aligned candidate with the party’s current grassroots energy and “America First” direction.
Davis built a strong coalition of support, earning endorsements from U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, Indiana Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Gov. Mike Braun, and conservative activist Riley Gaines. Her campaign messaging and backing ultimately helped her overcome Walker’s incumbency advantage and secure the nomination.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
SD39: Ellington wins open, three-way GOP primary
8:49 p.m.—In the open-seat Republican primary for District 39, Jeff Ellington emerged victorious in a competitive three-way race against Tanner Bouchie and Kristi Risk. A former state lawmaker, horse farmer and retired firefighter, Ellington brought both legislative experience and a well-known local profile into the contest.
Ellington also entered the race with a key endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which helped solidify his standing with primary voters. With no incumbent in the race, all three candidates worked to distinguish themselves, but Ellington’s experience and support ultimately carried him to the nomination.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
SD1: De Vries unseats Dernulc in Three-Way Primary
8:30 p.m.—In a closely watched three-way Republican primary, Trump-backed Trevor De Vries defeated incumbent Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, and challenger Nader Liddawi to claim the District 1 nomination. De Vries, a St. John resident and business leader in transactional risk insurance, built his campaign around strong grassroots outreach and a clear message centered on “Faith, Family, and Freedom.” His victory signals a shift among primary voters toward a more outsider, “America First” conservative voice.
De Vries also entered the race with significant backing, earning endorsements from President Donald Trump, Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, and Attorney General Todd Rokita. While Dernulc emphasized his legislative experience and record, and Liddawi focused on cost-of-living concerns, De Vries’ coalition and messaging ultimately carried him to a decisive win.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
SD21: Powell topples Buck in Republican primary
8:30 p.m.—In District 21, Dr. Tracey Powell defeated incumbent Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, in a competitive Republican primary, marking another win for a challenger emphasizing conservative grassroots priorities. Powell, a chiropractor, farmer, small business owner and Tipton County commissioner, leaned on his record of local service and commitment to strengthening rural communities.
Backed by former President Donald Trump, Powell contrasted his hands-on experience in local government with Buck’s tenure in the Statehouse. While Buck highlighted his legislative record and endorsement from former Vice President Mike Pence, Powell’s focus on economic growth, infrastructure, and support for working families resonated with voters seeking a fresh perspective.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
Goode tops challengers in primary
Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, defeated Trump-backed Brenda Wilson and Alexandra Wilson in the race for district 38, after the Associated Press called it with Goode winning 54.7%. This is the first major victory for an anti-redistricting incumbent in Indiana, with five more Senate primary races left to be called.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
Fiechter defeats incumbent Sen. Holdman
7:30 p.m.—Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, is the first incumbent Indiana senator who opposed redistricting to lose to a Trump-endorsed primary challenger, after the race was called by the Associated Press. Blake Feichter, a Huntington County councilor and businessman will be on the November ballot.
Fiechter was among the group of candidates who met with President Trump in early March to receive his endorsement. With 57% of the votes in, Fiechter has a 3,000 vote lead.
—Sydney Byerly, The Indiana Citizen
Polls officially close
6 p.m.—The polls are now officially closed for the 2026 Primary Election, but our reporters are watching as the outcomes are announced. To keep up with races in your area, check the Indiana Citizen’s live results page.
TheStatehouseFile.com will soon be heading to watch parties for live reactions from candidates, lawmakers and the teams that have been supporting their campaigns.
Lifelong friends rally around their best friend running for Morgantown clerk-treasurer
Two women sat under a tent at the Morgantown Fire Department chatting like they had known each other their whole lives.
That’s because they have. Carla Popplewell and Betty Cowden have been friends with Sharon McIntosh since they were little. Seventy-two years later, they continue to rally by their best friend, who is running for reelection as Morgantown’s clerk-treasurer.
“We graduated together from high school, and now we’re old women together,” said Popplewell.
According to Morgantown’s clerk treasurer page, McIntosh is the fiscal officer of the town. She has many duties, including preparing the town’s budget, managing finances and deciding how investments of the town’s money will be handled.
“She’s on top of it, and we’re very proud of her,” said Popplewell.
Although neither Popplewell nor Cowden are current residents of Morgantown, they still showed their support for their friend.
“We went to grade school (together) and high school. We went to the movies. Even when we were in different colleges, we would still see each other. We raised our babies together,” said Popplewell. “It’s a special friendship.”
—Abigale Lash, TheStatehouseFile.com
Steve Sonnega has served as Morgan County Prosecutor for 36 years, but on Tuesday he worked a 12-hour poll shift at the Martinsville Senior Center.
He sported a shirt advocating for Cassie Mellady, the chief deputy prosecutor, running to take his place. Mellady faced Joe Gaunt, a defense attorney in Morgan County, in the Republican primary.
“So he’s come up and said, ‘I’ve got better ideas,’ and Cassie says, ‘I’ve got good ideas,’” Sonnega said. “And the voters will decide shortly after 6 tonight.”
Sonnega said his favorite part about serving as prosecutor for all these years was the people.
“The relationships you build when you spend hours and hours together carrying a case, investigating a case, working with the police, trying to solve the case, makes for a lot of good memories,” Sonnega said.
Sonnega has been in the shoes of Mellady and Gaunt many times. He said he used many different slogans to make people remember his name at the polls.
“My name is a little different,” he said. “So I did an ad, ‘Sonnaga, Sennega, Sonnega: doesn’t matter how you pronounce it just as long as you vote for me.”
He also used the slogan: “Nice guy tough on crime.” Sonnega said he wondered if word of mouth mattered anymore or if social media took precedent.
“We’re standing out in the rain talking to people. Does this have an impact? Or is the social media post they saw last night more important? We don’t know,” said Sonnega.
—Abigale Lash, TheStatehouseFile.com
Johnie “Joe” Blevins stood among many other candidates outside the Morgantown Fire Department on Primary Election Day. He is running for reelection to the town council.
“My favorite part has been the accomplishments and caring about the community,” said Blevins. “We’re a little rundown and we’re working on that: new water and sewer systems.”
Blevins said he thinks that the election in Morgantown is focused on local candidates rather than state and congressional candidates.
“This is where your voice really matters. Local government is where the changes that affect you can be made,” Blevins said.
—Abigale Lash, TheStatehouseFile.com
Jo Nahod-Carlin walked through the doors of Carmel Clay School’s voting center Tuesday equipped with a belief in democracy and a goal to protect it.
Nahod-Carlin jumped into the voting world as an election judge in 2016. She said her understanding of history drives her to help at the polls, in appreciation of those who fought for her right to vote.
She said she was disappointed in the low turnout, but has seen more passion in recent years.
“It’s been refreshing,” she said, “seeing more females and high school kids coming out for their first time voting.”
Through her time volunteering, she said, she has learned how secure and exciting the process can be.
“You can just know that it’s a safe environment, there’s nothing to fear,” said Nahod-Carlin.
She explained the cure for Election Day jitters was getting engaged with the process..
“You can’t complain about something you’re not engaged in.” she said. “So if you have a fear, a question, sign up and volunteer.”
Nahod-Carlin urged others to do their homework.
“Understand who your candidates are,” she said. “The primary is what decides who’s on the ticket in November, so this is the one you need to pay attention to.”
—Bailee Kennedy, TheStatehouseFile.com
“It’s every citizen’s responsibility to vote”
5 p.m.—Voter Gabby White told TheStatehouseFile.com what issues were on her mind when voting.
“I’m thinking about affordability for residents, representation, and overall what I want to see happening in the community,” White said.
Another two voters, Roseanne Grasty and Ernest Lassiter, both 89-years-old and married, provided their perspectives.
“It’s every citizen’s responsibility to vote,” Grasty said. “If you don’t vote, I don’t care what your opinion is about what’s going on. You have not put your name in the game. You still don’t put your name in the game if you go to just the general election. So, it’s extremely important, and I think that people who don’t take the opportunity to vote in the primaries have given up their right to tell me what they think about what’s going on.”
“I’m terribly concerned about any movement trying to take us back to reconstruction, and this is a piece of that,” Lassiter said. “We have to take every action that we can to make sure that kind of step backwards does not occur.”
—Luke Shepherd
“People should know what a good person Jodi is”
Jodi Alvey, running for township trustee, plays a big role in the communities of Franklin, Needham and Union. Supporters said on Tuesday at the voting center at the Franklin Parks & Rec building that she cares about what she’s doing and has helped many people.
One person in particular, a junior at Franklin Community High School, expressed how much Alvey has helped him and his family.
Eli Castro is the son of two Mexican immigrants, but he was born and raised here in the U.S. His parents recently received a letter in the mail from ICE with two options: self-deport or get deported by force.
“It’s like a whole crisis going on with my family, but I told Marco about the situation since we are really close, and he told his parents, Jodi and Brian. Now, legally they are my guardians,” said Castro.
Jodi and Brian Alvey, without hesitation, took in Castro.
“They’re unbelievably wonderful people, so we took Eli in. My wife actually was the one that said immediately that we are taking him in,” said Brian.
Eli’s parents have received an extension to stay for the graduation of their daughter, Eli’s sister, in May but have to leave after that.
Eli and Marco will be splitting a bedroom space after Eli’s parents deport to Mexico. Marco is looking on the bright side of his friend’s situation and is excited since they have always had a strong friendship.
“He’s been a great friend for as long as I can remember. He told me about everything that was happening, and without even asking my parents yet, I told him yes,” said Marco.
Eli feels extremely lucky and grateful for the Alvey family given his situation.
“They gave me a place to stay, a roof over my head, they take me to practices, everywhere I need to go. They’re amazing people that love what they do and help out in the community.”
“I think people should know what a good person Jodi is, and they should vote for her,” said Eli.
—Hope Moring, TheStatehouseFile.com
Poll workers like helping voters
The 2026 primary was the first time Christian Lozano, a senior at Beech Grove High School, voted, but the third time he served as a poll worker helping other voters cast their ballots.
Tuesday afternoon, Lozano was in the gymnasium of Beech Grove Middle School, helping local residents get checked in, giving them a ballot and directing them to the voting machines near the center of the basketball court.
Lozano joined the ranks of poll workers before he was 18. “I wasn’t able to vote yet, but I knew how important it was and that they needed poll workers,” he said.
From his time at working elections, Lozano said he has learned primaries draw few voters.
“People don’t know what a primary is,” he said.
By 1:22 p.m., 286 votes had been cast at that polling site.
Sitting beside Lozano at the check-in table was Kim Shepherd, who also started working at the polls as a high school student although her mop of gray hair indicated she has long since graduated. She said she was encouraged to become a poll worker by her high school government teacher, and she has continued serving election after election because she likes meeting people and believes in voting.
Shepherd had a friendly greeting for every voter who walked into the gym and kept up a steady banter as they showed their IDs and signed the poll book. Whenever a first-time voter checked-in, Shepherd let everyone know by yelling, “First-time voter!”
When Lozano moved to take over the job of helping voters insert their marked ballots in the box, Sarah Mundell Spencer, a first-time poll worker, slipped into the seat beside Shepherd.
Mundell Spencer became a poll worker because she wanted to help with the election process. She was enjoying her first primary working the polls, saying she had met a variety of people and her colleagues were fun.
To others who are thinking about becoming a poll worker, Mundell Spencer had simple words of encouragement: “Go for it! This is something you can do for our democracy.”
—Marilyn Odendahl, The Indiana Citizen
Family support
3:52 p.m.—The daughter of Shelby County sheriff candidate Chris Holder talked with TheStatehouseFile.com about the importance of supporting her dad.
“I’m here, one, as his daughter, and two, as well to support him,” Hudson said, standing outside the Intelliplex Conference Center in Shelbyville Tuesday. “I feel like he has strong qualities to be sheriff, and I am just out here standing behind that.”
—Lillee Sheckles, TheStatehouseFile.com
3:30 p.m.—Charmaine Luckett was the inspector at the Indiana University Indianapolis Library, where she discussed how this primary might differ from others.
“I think that people are starting to see from our current administration what’s going on right now,” Luckett said. “I think people are seeing why it’s so important to be involved, not necessarily on a national level, but even on a local level. We’re seeing policies and laws being implemented that don’t necessarily represent what the people want. The primary is where it happens, that’s how you make change happen.”
Luckett and 20 year old IU Indianapolis sophomore Aydenn Smith talked to TheStatehouseFile.com about how having a polling location on a college campus can be helpful for students to get the chance to vote.
“I think it actually attracts more voters,” Luckett said. “When the students see their friends, they come in groups. The teachers even come in groups… It’s good to see the joy on their faces, and you get to see an outlook of what our future looks like as well.”
“I have some friends [voting], and they’re not from close to here, so it’s really hard for them to go back home and vote,” Smith said. “So being able to register, and to vote on campus, I think it’s really important.”
—Luke Shepherd, TheStatehouseFile.com
3:00 p.m.—A crowd, umbrellas in hand, slowly trickled into Indianapolis Fire Department Station 43 Tuesday. Despite the unending rain, they all made a point to stop in to vote.
Wilson Welmon is not eligible to vote because he is not a U.S. citizen, but that did not stop him from coming out to share his support for Democrat Osnel Andre. Welmon came to the U.S. from Haiti, but had to leave his wife and kids behind. He said that Andre has provided him with opportunities to establish a life in Indianapolis.
“He helped me a lot. He’s a good guy, so I’m helping him by passing the vote,” said Welmon.
Marta Diaz, 70, came to the polls with a big smile on her face and a friend by her side. Diaz said she always comes out to vote, and has always felt that voting was important.
“Anything we can do to get people in power that have strong convictions and are willing to work for them,” said Diaz.
Diaz said the political environment feels very different to her now, and she says she misses the days when Republicans and Democrats could set aside their differences and have a conversation.
“I’m old enough to realise that it wasn’t always like this,” said Diaz.
Johan Rodriguez said exercising his right to vote is what brought him out Tuesday.
“If we vote some things might change and we can make a difference,” said Rodriguez.
Melvin Cleffin was cloaked in a lime green raincoat. Despite all her years of voting, she said she remains hopeful and holds onto her belief in democracy.
“I can’t wait ‘til November, that’s why I’m here to vote today,” said Cleffin. “I can’t wait for the administration to change.”
—Avery Tays & Blessin Bambo, TheStatehouseFile.com
Campaign volunteer remembers son
3:07 p.m.—On June 28, 2023, a tragic accident took the life of 33-year-old Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith. He was struck and killed during a high-speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle in Hendricks County while attempting to deploy stop sticks.
On Tuesday, Smith’s father, Garry, was standing outside the Johnson County Fairgrounds in support of Michelle Davis, a Republican representing Indiana’s 58th district, running for state Senate.
“Michelle called me out of the blue after Aaron’s death and said, ‘Would you like to rename a road after your son?’ Didn’t know her from Adam until that day,” said Smith.
U.S. 31, between Smith Valley Road and County Line Road, at the mile 2 stretch in both directions, is Trooper Aaron Smith Memorial Highway.
“That was my boy,” said Smith.
—Hope Moring, TheStatehouseFile.com
Veteran poll inspector urges people to research whose on their ballots
3 p.m.—At the Indianapolis Public Schools Administrative building, Charles “Chuck” Henderson is the inspector for the poll, and has been for eight years. Henderson talked to TheStatehouseFile.com about how to prepare yourself before voting.
“I think people need to do a little research and know who they’re voting for,” Henderson said. “I know it’s sometimes difficult to find that stuff. I find it difficult to find stuff sometimes on some of the primaries, but I’ve always tried to vote.”
—Luke Shepherd, TheStatehouseFile.com
Younger voter turnout in Hancock County
3 p.m.—Poll workers in Hancock County told TSF they were not seeing many younger voters on Tuesday.
“I think a lot of the younger voters have opinions about the president and Congress, but when you get to the local level, I don’t think that same engagement exists,” said Bob Bogigian, 76, of Greenfield, is a Democrat on the Hancock County Election Board. “There should be because these are important offices, but they don’t get as intense of coverage in the press as the national level.”
John Apple, 59, of Greenfield, serves alongside Bogigian on the Hancock County Election Board as a Republican and believes there’s a disconnect between the type of content that reaches younger voters on social media.
Apple believes that the ever-increasing popularity of news outlets posting their content to social media outlets is disconnecting younger voters. The harsh nature of social media discourages voter turnouts
“The younger folks are getting more of their stuff from social media, and a lot of that stuff gets really ugly at times,” said Apple. “Social media feeds you only what you want or they think you want to hear, so are they really getting everything they can newswise from that outlet?”
Apple stressed the importance of staying up to date on local elections and offices because their policies can have a more direct impact on citizens.
“The local offices are far more important to the average individual than the national offices are,” he said. “The folks who are going to make decisions, like how much tax you’re going to pay locally, for instance, are definitely going to be decided here.”
Bogigian agreed.
“Educate yourself about it and get engaged, this is truly life and death stuff,” he said. “Particularly in Hancock County, a county that is lopsidedly Republican, the primary is the important election for local offices because if you got three Republican candidates running for an office in the primary, whoever wins that office is going to win in the fall.
“The primary is an important election, so you need to get informed and participate.”
—Tyler Young, TheStatehouseFile.com
‘Remarkable’ turnout in Marion County
2:40 p.m.—George Hornedo, one of the Democratic challengers for U.S. Representative Andre Carson’s 7th Congressional District, calls voter turnout in Marion County “remarkable.”
He said the county had seen 40,115 Primary Day votes cast by 1:15 p.m., in addition to 18,857 early votes. Hornedo said these numbers surpass the entire 2022 Democratic primary turnout, which stood at just under 40,000.
“Competitive primaries and sustained grassroots organizing do something that no mailer or TV ad can: They make people believe that showing up is worth it,” he texted TheStatehouseFile.com. “Whatever tonight’s results show, this turnout is the proof of concept: Indianapolis showed up today.”
—Olivia O’Neal, TheStatehouseFile.com
District 7 challengers
1:30 p.m.—Destiny Wells, one of three Democratic challengers vying for the District 7 congressional seat currently occupied by Rep. André Carson, said voter turnout is “very promising for our race.” She just left the Warren Township Government Center, where incoming voters had reached a “steady flow,” she said.
With rain picking up, she predicted voters will avoid the polling stations and adverse weather until 4 p.m., but she said she loves the current energy.
“Either way how today shakes out, it’s been everything that I wanted and making sure that Indianapolis becomes re-engaged in the political process,” she said. “I will be happy either way, but I’m relatively optimistic.”
After knocking on more than 40,000 doors and having more than 16,000 direct conversations over the course of his campaign, George Hornedo said he takes pride knowing he and his team did it all without the help of political action committees, relying entirely on individual donors. Hornedo is one of three Democratic candidates in the race for the District 7 congressional seat.
“Whatever tonight brings, Indianapolis has already made clear that this district wants more from its representation,” he said. “That message is going to be heard. I’m feeling energized, grateful, and ready to see what the voters decide!”
—Olivia O’Neal, TheStatehouseFile.com
Primary day in Marion County
Lifelong friends rally around their best friend running for Morgantown Clerk-Treasurer
12 p.m.—Two women sit under a tent at the Morgantown Fire Department chatting like they’ve known each other their whole lives. That’s because they have. Carla Popplewell and Betty Cowden have been friends with Sharon McIntosh since they were little. Seventy-two years later, they continue to rally by their best friend, McIntosh, who is running for reelection as Morgantown’s Clerk-Treasurer.
“We graduated together from high school and now we’re old women together,” said Popplewell.
Popplewell and Cowden were taking turns holding signs that advocated for McIntosh’s reelection. Popplewell said that McIntosh is the best for the job and she has done good things for Morgantown in her time as Clerk-Treasurer. McIntosh has handled the distribution of grants that have helped advance the town.
According to Morgantown’s Clerk Treasurer page, McIntosh is the fiscal officer of the town. She has many duties; including, preparing the town’s budget, managing finances and deciding how investments of town’s money will be handled.
“She’s on top of it and we’re very proud of her,” said Popplewell.
Although neither Popplewell nor Cowden are current residents of Morgantown they still showed their support for McIntosh in the election.
“We went to grade school (together) and high school. We went to the movies. Even when we were in different colleges, we would still see each other. We raised our babies together,” said Popplewell. “It’s a special friendship.”
—Abigale Lash, TheStatehouseFile.com
‘This is the way that you actually influence democracy’
10:45 a.m.—Cheyenne Henson is a junior political science student at University of Indianapolis working the polls on campus.
“I got here at about 5 AM,” Henson said. “I’m a political science major, so civic engagement is important to me. This seems like an easy opportunity to get involved and do more for my community.”
“[Voting in primaries] is the most important thing because this is the opportunity to change the way that the parties function. … This is the way that you actually influence democracy, as well as turning out to midterms. This is how you make your voice.”
—Luke Shepherd, TheStatehouseFile.com
Hoosier Hospitality
9:45 a.m.—As Indiana’s primary election started on Tuesday, voter traffic at the polling site inside the Gethsemane Lutheran Church on East 10th Street in Indianapolis was sluggish.
Darcy Marlett, the inspector at the polling location, suspected the early morning rain was delaying some voters. With a senior living community near the church, she expected the older voters were waiting for a break in the weather before venturing out to cast their ballots.
By 6:58 a.m., 11 people had voted and by 7:18 a.m., as the sun was emerging through the clouds, the count had climbed to 14.
The polls will remain open until 6 p.m.
Marlett said stormy weather can dampen turnout, but a little rain usually does not have much of an impact. She was expecting more people would be coming to vote during their lunch hour and on their way home from work.
Normally primaries in Indiana draw few voters, but this year, the Hoosier State’s primary has attracted national interest.
A reliably Republican state, Indiana handed President Donald Trump a surprise defeat in December when the General Assembly voted against midcycle redistricting. Twenty-one GOP senators joined the Democrats in the upper chamber and stopped the effort to give Republican candidates an advantage in the 2026 midterm election by redrawing the state’s nine congressional districts.
Seven of those GOP senators are locked in primary battles, facing challengers who are endorsed by Trump and propelled by dark money. Speaking to CNN on Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray estimated political action committees and nonprofits, many from outside Indiana, have poured millions of dollars into these races to oust the seven lawmakers.
Inside the polling site at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, the bruising campaign fights were replaced by Hoosier Hospitality. Voters were warmly greeted by Lenore Friedly and Marianne Duncan, who checked the voters’ IDs, had them sign the poll book and then handed them their ballots. When the voters had finished making their choices, Quitones Johnson instructed them on inserting their ballots into the box and gave them an “I Voted” sticker.
Friedly and Duncan said they became poll workers to get involved in their community and engage with people. They talked about the importance of voting, participating in civic life, and their desire to see more young adults casting ballots. Also, they noted some people are intimidated by voting, especially since this primary has been so overwhelming.
Johnson has been working at the polls since 2016, joining his mother when she became an election worker. Mother and son arrived at their polling places at 5 a.m. and settled in for a day that would likely extend to 7 p.m.
Occasionally peeking through the glass door into the church’s parking lot to see if anyone was coming, Johnson said he hoped for a busy day so the time would go faster. He did not expect the rain to keep determined voters away from the polls.
“If people are going to vote, they’re going to vote,” Johnson said.
Martin Morasch, a Purdue graduate, stopped to vote at the Gethsemane polling site on his way to work. He was most interested in the local races since, he said, those were the officials that would have the most impact on his daily life. Prior to the primary, he followed the local news and watched the campaigns so he could be confident in his choices at the ballot box.
Marlett encouraged other voters to visit the polls today.
“It’s pretty quick, especially in a primary,” Marlett said, noting that casting a ballot will take about five to 10 minutes. “It’s a quick stop in your day and definitely makes a big impact on the community.”
—Marilyn Odendahl, The Indiana Citizen
TheStatehouseFile.com is a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students. TSF will have some 30 student journalists reporting from Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks and Boone counties starting Tuesday when the polls open for Primary Day 2026.
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed and engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. For questions about the story, contact Marilyn Odendahl at marilyn.odendahl@indianacitizen.org.
