Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.

Indiana's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search



2022 →
← 2018
Indiana's 1st Congressional District
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: February 7, 2020
Primary: June 2, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent:
Peter Visclosky (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voting in Indiana
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic
Inside Elections: Solid Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
See also
Indiana's 1st Congressional District
1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th
Indiana elections, 2020
U.S. Congress elections, 2020
U.S. Senate elections, 2020
U.S. House elections, 2020

Frank Mrvan defeated 14 other candidates to win the Democratic nomination in Indiana's 1st Congressional District on June 2, 2020. Mrvan received 33.7% of the vote to Thomas McDermott Jr.'s 29.2%. No other candidate received more than 10% of the vote. This was the first time the seat had been left open since Rep. William Schulte (D) was first elected in 1932. 18-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D) did not seek re-election in 2020. Visclosky was first elected in 1984 after defeating Katie Hall (D) in that year's Democratic primary.

Five candidates—Sabrina Haake, Jim Harper, Frank Mrvan, Thomas McDermott Jr., and Mara Candelaria Reardon— raised over $200,000.

Of those five, Mrvan, McDermott, and Reardon held elected office at the time of the primary. Mrvan was the North Township Trustee, first elected to that position in 2005. McDermott served as the mayor of Hammond. Reardon was first elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2006 and served until 2014. She was re-elected in 2016. Harper and Haake, both attorneys, have not held elected office.

Incumbent Rep. Visclosky endorsed Mrvan, former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) endorsed McDermott, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' BOLD PAC endorsed Reardon.[1][2][3] Haake received an endorsement from the National Organization for Women PAC and Harper was endorsed by Our Revolution.[4][5]

Melissa Borom, Carrie Castro, Scott Costello, Antonio Daggett Sr., Ryan Farrar, John Hall, Ryan Lamb, Wendell Mosby, Jayson Reeves, and Andrew Sylwestrowicz also ran in the primary.

At the time of the primary, Democrats had held the 1st District in its northwestern Indiana location continuously since 1933. In each of his 18 general elections, Rep. Visclosky won with over 60 percent of the vote in all but two cycles: 1994 (56-44%) and 2010 (59-39%). Following the 2018 elections, Democrats held a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives with 235 seats compared to the 200 held by Republicans. Click here to learn more about what's at stake in the general election.

Sabrina Haake participated in a Candidate Conversation with Ballotpedia and EnCiv. Click here to watch.

Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:


Haake
Harper
McDermott
Mrvan
Reardon


This page focuses on Indiana's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:

Republican Party Indiana's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)
Independent Indiana's 1st Congressional District election, 2020

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Indiana modified its primary election process as follows:

  • Election postponements: The primary election was postponed from May 5, 2020, to June 2.
  • Voting procedures: All voters were allowed to cast their ballots by mail in the primary election.
  • Political party events: Both the Democratic and Republican parties of Indiana canceled their in-person state conventions. The parties opted instead to conduct convention business virtually and by mail.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.


Candidates and election results

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 1

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Frank Mrvan
Frank Mrvan
 
32.8
 
29,575
Image of Thomas McDermott Jr.
Thomas McDermott Jr. Candidate Connection
 
28.2
 
25,426
Image of Jim Harper
Jim Harper
 
10.1
 
9,133
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Melissa Borom
 
8.7
 
7,792
Image of Mara Candelaria Reardon
Mara Candelaria Reardon
 
7.8
 
6,997
Image of Sabrina Haake
Sabrina Haake Candidate Connection
 
4.8
 
4,365
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Carrie Castro
 
1.5
 
1,330
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
John Hall
 
1.4
 
1,223
Image of Scott Costello
Scott Costello Candidate Connection
 
1.3
 
1,126
Image of Antonio Daggett Sr.
Antonio Daggett Sr.
 
1.1
 
965
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Wendell Mosby
 
1.0
 
893
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jayson Reeves
 
0.6
 
526
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Andrew Sylwestrowicz
 
0.4
 
396
Image of Ryan Farrar
Ryan Farrar
 
0.3
 
297

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 90,044
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[6] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Scott Costello

Image of Scott Costello

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I am a social worker and my candidacy is to fight for the working class which is horribly under-represented in Congress where 98% of elected officials are from the upper classes. Every-day Americans are struggling - 40% of Americans have less than $400 in the bank - 400 richest families own more wealth than 60% of Americans. We cannot continue with extreme income disparity. We are a consumer-based economy and our purchasing power is decreasing every year, meanwhile China's markets are booming and American corporations continue to invest there and no here. All of our nation's net economic growth has been in California, all other areas have been flat since 2008. Areas that have increased the minimum wage have seen no job loss and improved economies. We also need to invest in sustainable energies, infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions. Finally, all Americans deserve affordable healthcare. I believe in Medicare for All. "

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Representing working class Americans and protecting all unions

Medicare for All

Invest in sustainable technologies to keep America energy independent, competitive with China and to reduce carbon emission.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Indiana District 1 in 2020.

Sabrina Haake

Image of Sabrina Haake

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I'm a proud, longtime Gary homeowner, Indiana public schools graduate, lawyer, doggy rescue mom and your candidate for Congress. I'm not a politician. And that should excite you. In 2018, 70% of the newly elected Democratic members of Congress never held a political office before. It's time for a new voice! As our next member of Congress I'll fight hard every day for Northwest Indiana. My NWI:Off the Grid renewable energy plan has bi-partisan support and will bring 40,000 new jobs to our region. I will fight for access to quality, affordable healthcare, and education reform so that our children have a great future. "

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

My " NWI:Off the Grid" renewable energy plan has bi-partisan support and will bring 40,000 new jobs to our region. It's good for the planet and our economy!

I will fight for education reform. I believe that the gap can be closed by identifying trauma in the home within the school system and helping kids from these backgrounds.

I am a supporter of Medicare for All and believe that affordable healthcare is a human right.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Indiana District 1 in 2020.

Jim Harper

Image of Jim Harper

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Harper received a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Indiana University Bloomington and a J.D. from Georgetown University. He co-founded a non-profit law firm representing veterans seeking disability benefits. In 2016, Harper began private practice at Harper & Harper, LLC. He was the Democratic nominee for secretary of state in 2018.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Harper said he supported progressive action. He listed Medicare For All, the Green New Deal, and campaign finance reform as top priorities.

Harper mentioned the diversity of the 1st District and said he would "improve the lives of every northwest Indiana family, not just the well-connected few."

Harper criticized his primary opponents who had received support from satellite organizations. He said, "My campaign is funded ONLY through my campaign, and you will always know who has contributed to support me."

Show sources

Sources: NWI Times, "Meet the candidates vying to represent Northwest Indiana in Congress," February 16, 2020, Facebook, "Hammond FOP #51's 1st Indiana Congressional District Candidates Forum," February 17, 2020, YouTube, "Jim Harper for Congress," November 13, 2019, Facebook, "NO DARK MONEY," May 18, 2020; Harper's 2020 campaign website, "About Me," accessed May 29, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Indiana District 1 in 2020.

Thomas McDermott Jr.

Image of Thomas McDermott Jr.

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Mayor of Hammond, Indiana (assumed office: 2004)

Submitted Biography:  "In 2004, I was the youngest mayor ever elected in Hammond, Indiana. Now, 16 years later, I am the longest serving mayor in the city's history. My proudest achievements of my 16 years as mayor include the College Bound Scholarship program, a city-wide commitment to youth sports, and the creation of the Wolf Lake Pavilion and recreation area. As a young man, I enlisted in the United States Navy and served 6 years as a nuclear submariner aboard the USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709). I was honorably discharged and moved back to Hammond, where I attended Purdue-Calumet, and later earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. I have been named a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian by the Governor of Indiana. I have served as Deputy Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, and as co-chair of the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council. I am a family man. I met my wife, Marissa, at Notre Dame Law School. We have raised four children, Lindsey, Chase, Tommy, and Patrick."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

I am a tested leader with a proven track record of bringing investments and jobs to NWI

I support a Medicare for All Who Need It Plan for extending healthcare coverage to all Americans

I am committed to public education, teachers, and students;

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Indiana District 1 in 2020.

Frank Mrvan

Image of Frank Mrvan

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

  • North Township Trustee (Assumed office: 2005)

Biography:  Mrvan received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ball State University in 1992. He worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative and mortgage broker. Mrvan previously served as president of the Lake County Young Democrats and treasurer of the Highland Democratic Club.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Mrvan described himself as a coalition builder. He said, "I'm running for Congress because we need someone with a proven record of bringing people together," citing his emergency response experience as North Township Trustee.

Mrvan emphasized endorsements he received from the 1st Congressional District's incumbent U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D) and the United Steelworkers.

Mrvan listed growing the Northwest Indiana economy as one of his top priorities. He said he would "continue to work with all stakeholders to create more economic opportunities," and do so "by better connecting Northwest Indiana to Chicago."

Show sources

Sources: Facebook, "Indiana Families First," May 24, 2020, Mrvan's 2020 campaign website, "About Frank," accessed May 29, 2020, YouTube, "Congressman Visclosky Endorsement," May 29, 2020, NWI Times, "Meet the candidates vying to represent Northwest Indiana in Congress," February 16, 2020, Mrvan's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed May 29, 2020; North Township Trustee website, "Frank Mrvan," accessed May 29, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Indiana District 1 in 2020.

Mara Candelaria Reardon

Image of Mara Candelaria Reardon

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Biography:  Reardon received a bachelor's degree from Indiana University Northwest and a J.D. from the John Marshall School of Law in Chicago. She worked as a federal projects coordinator for U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.). In 2015, Reardon became a principal at MCR Partners covering non-profit development, political consulting, and government affairs.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Reardon said her legislative background showed that she could get results. She said, "Hoosiers simply cannot afford to send untested and unproven representatives to Washington," adding that she "is the progressive champion we need."

Reardon said she supported a "Medicare-for-all-who-want-it option that builds on Obamacare." She said that she "made healthcare accessible and affordable ... through the Healthy Indiana Plan."

Reardon said she would support policies that protect unions and oppose those that made it more difficult for unions to collect dues. She said, "In 2011, when Republicans ... tried to make it harder for workers to join a union, [she] took a stand by walking out of the legislature."

Show sources

Sources: Reardon's 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed May 29, 2020; Reardon's 2020 campaign website, "About Mara Candelaria Reardon," accessed May 29, 2020, LinkedIn, "Mara Candelaria Reardon," accessed May 29, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Indiana District 1 in 2020.


Candidate Conversations

Click below to watch the conversation for this race.

Endorsements

This section lists endorsements issued in this election. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Democratic primary endorsements
Endorsement Borom Haake Harper McDermott Mrvan Reardon
Newspapers and editorials
The Gary Crusader[1] ✔
Elected officials
South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D)[7] ✔
U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.)[4] ✔
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)[8] ✔
U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio)[8] ✔
U.S. Rep. Jesus Garcia (D-Ill.)[3] ✔
Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea (D)[3] ✔
U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)[8] ✔
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.)[9] ✔
U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.)[8] ✔
U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.)[3] ✔
U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.)[4] ✔
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)[8] ✔
U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.)[1] ✔
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.)[8] ✔
Individuals
Former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.)[2] ✔
Former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)[3] ✔
Former U.S. Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.)[3] ✔
2020 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson[5] ✔
Organizations
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 962[3] ✔
American Federation of Teachers Indiana[1] ✔
Brand New Congress[5] ✔
Congressional Black Caucus PAC[10] ✔
Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC[3] ✔
Democracy for America[5] ✔
Indiana Alliance for Retired Americans Indiana[1] ✔
Indiana Chamber of Commerce[9] ✔
Indivisible Northwest Indiana[5] ✔
National Organization for Women PAC[4] ✔
Our Revolution[11] ✔
Serve America[12] ✔
Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers Union[3] ✔
VoteVets.org[9] ✔

Timeline

2020

Campaign advertisements

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

Sabrina Haake

"Thank you Northwest Indiana Voters" - Haake campaign ad, released May 26, 2020[16]
"Fights for People, Not Corporations" - Haake campaign ad, released May 18, 2020


Jim Harper

"Leadership" - Harper campaign ad, released April 7, 2020


A sample ad from the candidate's Facebook page is embedded below. Click here to see the candidate's Facebook Video page.


Thomas McDermott

"Service" - McDermott campaign ad, released May 15, 2020
"Step Up" - McDermott campaign ad, released April 21, 2020


Frank Mrvan

"Congressman Visclosky Endorsement" - Mrvan campaign ad, released May 29, 2020[13]


A sample ad from the candidate's Facebook page is embedded below. Click here to see the candidate's Facebook Video page.


Mara Candelaria Reardon

"Indiana needs a Proven Progressive" - Reardon campaign ad, released May 20, 2020


A sample ad from the candidate's Facebook page is embedded below. Click here to see the candidate's Facebook Video page.


Satellite group ads

Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[17] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[18] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Melissa Borom Democratic Party $68,500 $68,500 $0 As of December 31, 2020
Carrie Castro Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Scott Costello Democratic Party $10,724 $9,425 $1,841 As of December 31, 2020
Antonio Daggett Sr. Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Ryan Farrar Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Sabrina Haake Democratic Party $294,264 $294,264 $0 As of June 30, 2020
John Hall Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Jim Harper Democratic Party $245,144 $245,142 $2 As of December 31, 2020
Thomas McDermott Jr. Democratic Party $652,759 $652,542 $217 As of December 31, 2020
Wendell Mosby Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Frank Mrvan Democratic Party $590,635 $476,407 $114,228 As of December 31, 2020
Mara Candelaria Reardon Democratic Party $309,877 $309,877 $0 As of August 6, 2020
Jayson Reeves Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Andrew Sylwestrowicz Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[19][20][21]

This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.

The following information was gathered from FEC reports and was accurate as of May 30, 2020:

  • CHC Bold PAC spent $169,084 supporting Reardon with research services and direct mail.[22]
  • Democratic Progress spent $177,480 on print, digital, and television advertisements supporting McDermott.[22]
  • Elect Honest Leadership PAC spent $31,087 supporting Mrvan on April 21, 2020.[22]
  • Middle Class Values PAC spent $30,127 on digital ads and direct mail supporting Mrvan.[22]
  • United Steelworkers Political Action Fund spent $2,594 supporting Mrvan with communications costs and helmet decals.[22]
  • Voter Protection Project spent $65,477 on direct mail supporting Reardon and $65,477 opposing McDermott.[22]
  • With Honor Fund spent $112,396 on direct mail and digital advertisements supporting McDermott.[22]

Debates and forums

May 27 round table

On May 27, eight candidates participated in a round table hosted by Jordan Wilson on the Politicking application.[15]

Official recording - May 27, 2020

February 17 candidate forum

On February 17, 2020, 12 candidates participated in a forum hosted by the Hammond Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 51 at the Hammond campus of Purdue University Northwest.

Click here to view the forum.

Click the links below for summaries of the debate from:

Primaries in Indiana

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Indiana law requires a closed primary, where a voter must be affiliated with a party to vote in that party's primary. This includes if they voted for a majority of that party’s candidates in the last general election or plan to in the upcoming election. However, it is possible for any voter to vote in any party's primary so long as they meet this criteria.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

What's at stake in the general election?

U.S. House elections were held on November 3, 2020, and coincided with the 2020 presidential election. All 435 House districts were up for election, and the results determined control of the U.S. House in the 117th Congress.

At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232-197 advantage over Republicans. There was one Libertarian member, and there were five vacancies. Republicans needed to gain a net 21 seats to win control of the House. Democrats needed to gain seats or lose fewer than 14 net seats to keep their majority.

In the 2018 midterm election, Democrats had a net gain of 40 seats, winning a 235-200 majority in the House. Heading into the 2018 election, Republicans had a 235-193 majority with seven vacancies.

In the 25 previous House elections that coincided with a presidential election, the president's party had gained House seats in 16 elections and lost seats in nine. In years where the president's party won districts, the average gain was 18. In years where the president's party lost districts, the average loss was 27. Click here for more information on presidential partisanship and down-ballot outcomes.


General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[23]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[24][25][26]

Race ratings: Indiana's 1st Congressional District election, 2020
Race trackerRace ratings
November 3, 2020October 27, 2020October 20, 2020October 13, 2020
The Cook Political ReportSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Indiana's 1st Congressional District the 139th most Democratic nationally.[27]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.07. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.07 points toward that party.[28]

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Five of 92 Indiana counties—5 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Delaware County, Indiana 13.43% 3.12% 14.98%
LaPorte County, Indiana 6.33% 12.57% 22.04%
Perry County, Indiana 18.55% 11.59% 22.84%
Porter County, Indiana 6.59% 3.90% 7.20%
Vigo County, Indiana 14.97% 0.86% 15.83%

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Indiana with 56.9 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 37.8 percent. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) was Trump's running mate. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Indiana voted Republican 83.33 percent of the time and Democratic 16.67 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Indiana voted Republican four times and Democratic once when it voted for Barack Obama in 2008.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Indiana. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[29][30]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 28 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 32.8 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 25 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 32.9 points. Clinton won one district controlled by a Republican heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 72 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 25.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 75 out of 100 state House districts in Indiana with an average margin of victory of 34.3 points. Trump won six districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


District election history

2018

See also: Indiana's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 1

Incumbent Peter Visclosky defeated Mark Leyva in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Peter Visclosky
Peter Visclosky (D)
 
65.1
 
159,611
Image of Mark Leyva
Mark Leyva (R)
 
34.9
 
85,594
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
4

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 245,209
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 1

Incumbent Peter Visclosky defeated Antonio Daggett Sr. and Larry Chubb in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 1 on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Peter Visclosky
Peter Visclosky
 
80.5
 
42,269
Image of Antonio Daggett Sr.
Antonio Daggett Sr.
 
11.1
 
5,813
Image of Larry Chubb
Larry Chubb
 
8.4
 
4,406

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 52,488
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 1

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 1 on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Mark Leyva
Mark Leyva
 
27.0
 
5,960
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
John Meyer
 
19.6
 
4,328
Image of Roseann Ivanovich
Roseann Ivanovich
 
19.6
 
4,318
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Nicholas Pappas
 
19.5
 
4,311
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
David Dopp
 
7.6
 
1,680
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jeremy Belko
 
6.7
 
1,486

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 22,083
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Indiana's 1st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Peter Visclosky (D) defeated John Meyer (R) and Donna Dunn (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Visclosky defeated Willie Brown in the Democratic primary on May 3, 2016.[31][32][33]

U.S. House, Indiana District 1 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPeter Visclosky Incumbent 81.5% 207,515
     Libertarian Donna Dunn 18.5% 47,051
     N/A Write-in 0% 17
Total Votes 254,583
Source: Indiana Division of Elections


U.S. House, Indiana District 1 Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngPeter Visclosky Incumbent 80% 77,095
Willie Brown 20% 19,315
Total Votes 96,410
Source: Indiana Secretary of State

2014

See also: Indiana's 1st Congressional District elections, 2014

The 1st Congressional District of Indiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Peter Visclosky (D) defeated Mark Leyva (R) and Donna Dunn (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Indiana District 1 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPeter Visclosky Incumbent 60.8% 86,579
     Republican Mark Leyva 35.8% 51,000
     Libertarian Donna Dunn 3.3% 4,714
Total Votes 142,293
Source: Indiana Secretary of State Official Results

State profile

See also: Indiana and Indiana elections, 2020
USA Indiana location map.svg

Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of May 27, 2020

Presidential voting pattern

  • Indiana voted Republican in six out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Congressional delegation

State executives

State legislature

Indiana Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Seventeen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D D D R R D D D D D D D D R R D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

Indiana quick stats
More Indiana coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for Indiana
 IndianaU.S.
Total population:6,612,768316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):35,8263,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:84.2%73.6%
Black/African American:9.2%12.6%
Asian:1.9%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.2%3%
Hispanic/Latino:6.4%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:87.8%86.7%
College graduation rate:24.1%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$49,255$53,889
Persons below poverty level:18.4%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Indiana.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mrvan's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 27, 2020
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Facebook, "McDermott for Congress," May 25, 2020
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Reardon's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 27, 2020
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Haake's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 27, 2020
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Harper's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 27, 2020
  6. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Facebook, "McDermott for Congress," May 29, 2020
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Borom's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 27, 2020
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 McDermott's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 27, 2020
  10. ↑ Facebook, "Melissa Borom for Indiana," accessed May 27, 2020
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Twitter, "Our Revolution," May 22, 2020
  12. ↑ Email communication with Serve America PAC dated June 25, 2020.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 YouTube, "Congressman Visclosky Endorsement," May 29, 2020
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Facebook, "United Steelworkers," May 29, 2020d
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 [www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLnmB8rfow YouTube, "Politicking Congressional Candidate Roundtable (IN-01)," May 27, 2020]
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 YouTube, "Thank you Northwest Indiana Voters," May 26, 2020
  17. ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
  18. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
  19. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
  20. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
  21. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 Federal Election Commission, "Indiana - House District 01," accessed May 27, 2020
  23. ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  24. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  25. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  26. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  27. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  28. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  29. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  30. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  31. ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election," accessed February 8, 2016
  32. ↑ The New York Times, "Indiana Primary Results," May 3, 2016
  33. ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election," accessed September 6, 2016


Indiana's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Jim Banks (R)
Todd Young (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Jim Baird (R)
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
Republican Party (9)
Democratic Party (2)


v • e
2019-2020 Elections to the United States Congress
Senate by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona (special) • Arkansas • Colorado • Delaware • Georgia (special) • Idaho • Illinois • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • North Carolina • Oklahoma • Oregon • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • West Virginia • Wyoming
CongressLogo.png
House by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Election information
Super PACs/Organizations
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Indiana%27s_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2020_(June_2_Democratic_primary)&oldid=9232653"