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Notable Indiana races, 2016
| Notable Indiana Races | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Primary | May 3, 2016 |
| General | November 8, 2016 |
| 2016 Notable Races | |
|---|---|
| Choose a state below: | |
Indiana’s hotly contested gubernatorial race was one of six Indiana races Ballotpedia identified as notable contests in 2016.
Overview
Gubernatorial race is a toss-up
- Main article: Indiana gubernatorial election, 2016
Republicans faced a tough fight to retain control of the office, particularly after incumbent Governor Mike Pence withdrew from the race to join Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's ticket as his vice presidential pick and running mate. The Republican state committee had 30 days from the date Pence withdrew to select a replacement candidate. As of the 2016 election, Indiana was one of 23 state governments where Republicans controlled the legislature and the governorship—Ballotpedia considers such control of state government a trifecta. Trifectas make it easier for the dominant party to pursue its agenda, and difficult for a minority party to challenge it. A win for John Gregg (D) would have given Democrats a big advantage in a state controlled by Republicans since 2011.
State legislature is likely to remain Republican
- Main articles: Indiana State Senate elections, 2016 and Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2016
Based on the seats up for election and their commanding majorities, Republicans were likely to retain control of the state House and state Senate after the 2016 election.
| Partisan breakdown of the Indiana Legislature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Republicans | Democrats |
| State House | 71 seats | 40 seats |
| State Senate | 29 seats | 10 seats |
Outcome of notable Indiana races
Of the 11 Republican incumbents that faced primary challengers on May 3, ten won their primary contests (Incumbent Casey Cox (R) of District 85 was defeated). The sole Democratic incumbent with a primary competitor, Rep. Charlie Brown (D), also defeated his challenger.
The four Republican incumbents in the notable races below won their primary contests.
| Outcome of notable Indiana primary races | ||
|---|---|---|
| Primary contest | Outcome | |
| State Senate District 16 (R) | ☑ David Long (Inc.) ☐ John Kessler | |
| State Senate District 20 (R) | ☑ Luke Kenley (Inc.) ☐ Scott Willis | |
| State House District 24 (R) | ☑ Donna Schaibley (Inc.) ☐ Greg Fettig | |
| State House District 59 (R) | ☑ Milo Smith (Inc.) ☐ Lew Wilson ☐ Ryan Lauer | |
| State House District 65 (R) | ☑ Christopher May ☐ Jim Pfaff ☐ Franklin Andrew | |
What makes a race notable?
Ballotpedia uses these criteria to identify notable races:
- Incumbents facing more conservative or liberal challengers
- Rematches between candidates
- Races that receive considerable media attention
- Races that could significantly affect the state's partisan balance
- Noteworthy races involving party leaders
- Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
- Races that capture money and attention from outside groups, including key endorsements
Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!
Notable general elections
Governor
The gubernatorial race has been left without a Republican candidate after Donald Trump announced on July 15 that Pence would join his 2016 presidential ticket as his running mate.
The governor's race was one of the most-watched gubernatorial contests in 2016. Incumbent Governor Mike Pence (R) was initially seeking re-election against John Gregg (D), whom he narrowly defeated in 2012 by just 75,408 votes, but dropped out of the race after presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) announced on July 15, 2016, that Pence would join his ticket as his vice presidential pick and running mate. The Indiana Republican state committee had 30 days from the date Pence withdrew to select a replacement candidate, who then competed with Gregg in the November general election.
Gregg's campaign website denounced Pence's administration and stated his support of government transparency; equal rights for women, minorities and LGBT citizens; and increased funding for transportation infrastructure.[1]
Pence approval ratings suffered after he had signed Indiana's version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in March 2015. A survey from November of that year found that 47 percent of residents approved of Pence’s performance, a significant drop when compared to his approval rating of 62 percent the year before.[2]The legislation had sparked criticism from Gregg and groups that argued that the law would allow for discrimination against LGBT residents; supporters of the law argued that it would protect the religious freedom of individuals and private companies.[3][4][5] An amendment was signed into law in April 2015, which included language prohibiting discrimination against LGBT residents.[6]
In February 2016, Pence announced that he would nominate Eric Holcomb as lieutenant governor, which would have made Pence the first governor to run for re-election with a new lieutenant governor on the ballot. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, Pence's running mate in 2012, resigned in February 2016 to pursue the position of president at a local community college. Holcomb will remain on the ticket as the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
Just prior to withdrawing from the race in July 2016, Pence had reported $3 million more raised in campaign contributions. Pence reported $8,295,635 in campaign contributions compared to Gregg's $5,380,301.[7][8]
Notable primary elections
State Senate District 16
State Senate President faced a conservative challenger.
Incumbent State Sen. and Senate President David Long (R) is running for re-election. He defeated John Kessler (R) in the Republican primary contest. No Democrats filed to run for the seat.
In January 2016, Long helped push a bill that would extend civil rights protections to gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals (though not transgender individuals) but exempt adoption agencies, religious-affiliated organizations and small businesses that provide wedding services. Though the bill was ultimately unsuccessful, Long defended his role in pushing the legislation. "When you are a leader you have to lead. You have to stick your neck out a little bit," Long said.[9][10]
Social conservatives have been critical of Long's tenure. According to conservative activist Monica Boyer, the co-founder of Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate, Long had abandoned conservative principles to support the LGBT civil rights bill. "When a politician forgets his base, listens to lobbyists and divides a state, it's time to replace him," Boyer said.[9]
Kessler, an economics professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, said that Long's position was out of step with voters in District 16. "I think freedom of conscience is a really big deal. I don’t want the power of government telling Christians to do something they don’t think is right. ... It’s not an anti-gay thing, not an anti-LGBT thing. It’s about what role should government play." Kessler said.[9]
As of April 12, 2016, the candidates had received the following key endorsements. The Allen County Right to Life endorsed both candidates.[11][12]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Long | Kessler |
| National Rifle Association-Political Victory Fund | Allen County Right to Life |
| Allen County Right to Life | Family Research Council Action PAC |
| Indiana Right to Life | |
State Senate District 20
A six-term incumbent faced a primary challenger over education funding.
Incumbent state Sen. Luke Kenley (R) is running for re-election. He defeated Scott Willis (R) in the Republican primary contest. Paula Gilliam (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary contest.
School funding emerged as a central issue in the race. As the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Kenley is partly responsible for establishing the state's education funding formula, which helps direct state funds to public schools. Willis, Kenley's challenger, has criticized Kenley's role in not guaranteeing more education funding in District 20, which has experienced population growth, particularly in Hamilton County. "The current school funding formula has made it extremely difficult for our schools to keep up with the growth and puts education in Hamilton County at risk," Willis' website stated.[13][14]
Kenley responded that he has worked to secure more education funding for growing districts throughout Indiana. "The issue that is being raised, I find that to be almost perplexing. ... I am probably the one guy who has pushed the hardest to get Hamilton County schools fair funding," Kenley said.[13]
State House District 24
An incumbent appointed in 2014 ran for the GOP nomination against a conservative challenger.
Incumbent state Rep. Donna Schaibley (R), who was appointed in December 2014, ran for re-election. She defeated Greg Fettig (R) in the Republican primary contest. No Democrats filed to run for the seat.
Fettig, a Tea Party activist who co-founded Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate and founded Empower Indiana (a states' rights organization), ran on a platform of property tax reform, border security, gun rights, states' rights and stronger law enforcement. "Indiana has the right and responsibility to reassert its state rights to protect its citizens from the overreach and intrusion of the federal government in all of our lives," Fettig's website stated. Fettig's group, Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate, helped then-state Treasurer Richard Mourdock (R) defeat U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R) in the U.S. Senate Republican primary in 2012.[15][16][17]
As of April 12, 2016, the candidates had received the following key endorsements.[11]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Schaibley | Fettig |
| National Rifle Association-Political Victory Fund | |
State House District 59
An incumbent faced two primary challengers over the gas tax and infrastructure spending.
Incumbent state Rep. Milo Smith (R) is running for re-election. Smith defeated Bartholomew County assessor Lew Wilson (R) and former Bartholomew County Council president Ryan Lauer (R). Smith faced Lauer in the 2014 Republican primary contest, when Smith defeated Lauer 59-40.
The state gas tax and infrastructure spending have been at the forefront in the Republican primary contest. Smith supported a state House plan to raise the state's gas tax by 4 cents per gallon in order to raise funds for road and infrastructure improvements. Though the state House rejected the proposal in 2016, the proposal is expected to be debated again during the 2017 legislative session. Smith called his proposal a user fee, rather than a tax, that drivers would pay in order to drive on Indiana roads. "We ought to be charging people to use the roads. ... We should stop calling it a tax and start calling it a user fee," Smith said. Smith's proposal would raise around $270 million in revenue for infrastructure projects.[18][19]
Lauer opposed any increase in the gas tax and has supported using the state's reserve funds to finance infrastructure projects. "Now is not the time to be adding a new gas tax at the pump while middle and lower income families are still struggling in this economy. ... There is a need for road and infrastructure repairs, and I support a comprehensive 10-year road plan including an immediate cash infusion from our healthy state reserves to our local cities and counties, kick-starting much needed road projects and repairs across Indiana."[20]
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[21]
| Key endorsements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Smith | Lauer | Wilson |
| National Rifle Association-Political Victory Fund | ||
State House District 65
Six candidates in the Republican primary contest seek to succeed the outgoing Republican incumbent.
State Rep. Eric A. Koch (R) ran for state Senate, leaving the seat open. Six Republican candidates faced each other in the primary contest: Jim Pfaff (R), Franklin Andrew (R), Darren Byrd (R), Jacob Franklin (R), Mark Mathis (R) and Christopher May (R). May defeated his opponents in the Republican primary contest. Chris Woods (D) was unopposed in the District 65 Democratic primary.
According to the Brown County Democrat, "The six Republican candidates share many views, but none more so than their admiration for the job Koch has done over the past 14 years."[22]
Each candidate emphasized conservative principles during the race.
Byrd said he would focus on returning state governmental decisions back to local governing authorities where possible. "I believe that the higher levels of government should stop trying to manage us as a political trophy and return a significant portion of the control back to the local level," Byrd's website stated.[23]
May emphasized fiscal responsibility and small business growth on his campaign website. "Accountability, fiscally responsible government, leadership, and a pro-business approach are the key areas for the growth and progress of South Central Indiana. I will bring those values with me to the Statehouse," May's website stated.[24]
Franklin focused on education funding, religious freedom, small business growth and veterans' issues on his campaign website. "I will work hard to gain and maintain a strong infrastructure, invest in our schools, teachers, first responders, veterans and those that currently serve our country. I will put forth legislation that will encourage small businesses and corporations to keep investing in our district and Indiana," Franklin's website stated.[25]
Mathis emphasized Second Amendment rights, veterans' and military issues, education reform, pro-life values and small business growth on his campaign website.[26]
As of April 12, 2016, Pfaff had not listed issues on his campaign website; Andrew had no campaign website.
As of April 12, 2016, the candidates had received the following key endorsements.[27][28]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| May | Mathis |
| State Sen. Brent Steele (R) | Indiana Right to Life |
Freshman legislators
The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.
- Aaron Freeman (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 32
- Blake Doriot (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 12
- Carey Hamilton (Democratic), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 87
- Christopher May (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 65
- Dave Heine (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 85
- David Niezgodski (Democratic), .Indiana State Senate, District 10
- Earl Harris, Jr. (Democratic), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 2
- Eddie Melton (Democratic), .Indiana State Senate, District 3
- Eric Koch (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 44
- Jack Jordan (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 17
- Jack Sandlin (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 36
- Jim Pressel (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 20
- Joe Taylor (Democratic), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 7
- John Crane (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 24
- John Ruckelshaus (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 30
- John Young (Indiana) (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 47
- Karen Engleman (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 70
- Mara Candelaria Reardon (Democratic), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 12
- Mike Bohacek (Republican), .Indiana State Senate, District 8
- Ryan Hatfield (Democratic), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 77
- Sally Siegrist (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 26
Defeated incumbents
The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.
- William Fine (Republican), .Indiana House of Representatives, District 12
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ John Gregg for Governor, "Issues," accessed March 5, 2016
- ↑ Indy Star, "Poll: Pence approval still sags," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ NBC News, "Religious Freedom Restoration Act: What You Need to Know," accessed February 23, 2016
- ↑ Governing, "Rating the 2016 Goverors' Races," accessed February 12, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Top 10 governors races of 2016," accessed February 12, 2016
- ↑ USA Today, "Indiana governor signs amended 'religious freedom' law,"accessed February 24, 2016
- ↑ Indiana Election Division, "Committee Information for Gregg for Indiana," July 13, 2016
- ↑ Indiana Election Division, "Committee Information for Mike Pence for Indiana," January 20, 2016
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Indianapolis Star, "In aftermath of gay rights debate, Senate leader David Long faces primary challenger," February 5, 2016
- ↑ The Journal Gazette, "IPFW econ prof challenges Long," February 5, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 NRA-PVF, "Indiana Primary Election Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2016
- ↑ I Choose Life, "Allen County Right to Life Makes Primary Election Endorsements," accessed April 10, 2016
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Indianapolis Star, "Indiana Senate leaders targeted in GOP primary," April 11, 2016
- ↑ Scott Willis for State Senate, "Key issues," accessed April 12, 2016
- ↑ U.S. News and World Report, "Tea Party Sets Its Sights on Mitch McConnell," January 17, 2014
- ↑ Greg Fettig for Indiana House District 24," accessed April 12, 2016
- ↑ Greg Fettig for Indiana House District 24, "Platform," accessed April 12, 2016
- ↑ The Republic, "2 challenge incumbent for District 59 nomination," March 19, 2016
- ↑ Daily Journal, "Pence touts economy, stresses religious freedom," January 12, 2016
- ↑ Ryan Lauer for State Representative, "Ryan Lauer Announces Candidacy for State Representative in the 59th District," January 28, 2016
- ↑ NRA-PVF, "Grades - Indiana," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ Brown County Democrat, "District 65 seat contended in six-way primary," March 24, 2016
- ↑ DarrenByrd.net, "Darren Byrd for Indiana State Representative District 65," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ Chris May for Indiana, "Lawrence County Commissioner Chris May to Seek District 65 State Representative Seat," January 6, 2016
- ↑ JacobFranklin.us, "Jacob Franklin - Republican Candidate, District 65 in the Indiana House of Representatives - About," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ Vote Mark Mathis, "Who is Mark Mathis?" accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ Mark Mathis for Indiana State Representative District 65, "Indiana Right to Life Endorsement," March 30, 2016
- ↑ Chris May for Indiana, "State Senator Brent Steele Endorsement," April 5, 2016
