Democrats take three council seats in Hamilton County, but Republicans retain majorities

From left, Miles Nelson, Jocelyn Vare, Sam DeLong

Three Democrats have won seats on city councils in Republican-dominated Hamilton County.

In Fishers, two Democrats beat out Republican incumbents. And in Carmel, Democrat Miles Nelson won the newly created West District seat, beating Republican Debra Minott and becoming the first Democrat to serve on the Carmel City Council. Nelson captured 56% of the vote, while Minott received nearly 44%.

Democrat Jocelyn Vare beat out Republican incumbent Rich Block for an at-large seat on the Fishers City Council. She earned 25.5% of the vote, while incumbents Cecilia Coble and Todd Zimmerman won with 26.3% and 25.7% respectively.

Also in Fishers, Democrat Samantha DeLong beat incumbent Republican Eric Moeller in the North Central District, where she received 51% of the vote.

The candidates were among an unprecedented number of Democrats to run for municipal offices in Hamilton County, which has traditionally seen few contested general election races.

Altogether, 13 races were contested in Hamilton County municipal races this November. The majority of incumbents held on to their seats, and Republicans will still have a stronghold across the county.

In the county’s only contested mayoral race of the general election, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook earned his fourth term leading the growing city after beating Libertarian Donald G. Rainwater II. Cook earned 61% of the vote, while Rainwater captured 39%.

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Chris Jensen, who won the Republican primary for Noblesville mayor, all ran unopposed in Tuesday’s election.

In the only contested Westfield City Council race, Republican Mike Johns, a fiscal conservative who defeated incumbent Bob Horkay in the spring, beat independent candidate Kate Healey Snedeker in the District 5 race. Johns captured about 60% of the vote, while Snedeker got roughly 40%.

In Carmel, three incumbents faced challengers but held on to their seats. Republican Bruce Kimball beat Democrat Cleaster Davis 58% to about 42% for the Central District seat. Republican Sue Finkam won over Democrat Ti’gre McNear with more than 70% of the vote for the Northeast District seat. And Republican Laura Campbell beat Democrat William Howard II for the North District. Campbell captured 55% of the vote, while Howard got 44%.

In Fishers, South Central councilor John Weingardt, a Republican, won against Democrat Lane Skeeters with 54% of the vote; and Republican David George, who represents the Southwest District, beat Democrat Adam Kaps. George captured 51% of the vote.

And in Noblesville, Republican Greg O’Connor beat Democrat Jason Myers 67% to 32% for the District 5 seat, and Republican Megan Wiles won against Democrat Jeremy Hawk 61% to 38% in the District 6 race.

Republicans Brian Ayer (27%), Mark Boice (27%) and Darren Peterson (28%) will hold onto their at-large seats after beating Democrat Paul Jo Gilliam (16%) for three at-large seats.