Noblesville city councilor nabs GOP nomination for mayor

Noblesville City Council member Chris Jensen won the city’s Republican primary mayoral race on Tuesday, making him the likely replacement for retiring Mayor John Ditslear.

Jensen, who previously served as city council president and has been on the council since 2015, won the four-way race with 46% of the vote.

Hamilton County Media Group owner Mike Corbett received 31%, former Noblesville School Board member Julia Kozicki received 19% of the vote and Noblesville's urban forester Vince Baker received 3%.

Jensen said he felt calm going into the day, but he is overwhelmed by the results because he never thought he’d be a Republican nominee for mayor of his hometown.

He said he plans to keep talking to people about the future of Noblesville and hearing what residents want to see happen.

“We’re not done just because May 7 hit and we’re the winners. We’re just getting started,” Jensen said. “Noblesville’s best days are ahead, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Ditslear, 76, was first elected in 2003 and served four terms as mayor. He did not seek a fifth term.
 
Jensen, 34, works as a client service manager for Lochmueller Group. He plans to focus on improving infrastructure, adding mixed-use development to downtown, workforce development and public safety.
 
Jensen, who received an endorsement from Gov. Eric Holcomb, was considered the front-runner in the race. Ditslear did not endorse a candidate.
 
No Democrat has filed to run for mayor in Noblesville, and the city heavily leans Republican, meaning Jensen will likely become mayor next year.
 
In the Noblesville City Council races, the three at-large Republican incumbents—Darren Peterson, Mark Boice and Brian Ayer—held onto their seats, despite a challenge from Rocky Shanehsaz.
 
But incumbent Rick Taylor, who served District 3, lost his race against Brenda Cook and Aaron Smith. Smith won with 47% over Taylor’s 28% and Cook’s 24%.
 
In District 1, where Republican incumbent Roy Johnson did not seek re-election, Mike Davis won with 56% over Mark Hall, who received 33% and Terry Busby, who received 11%.
 
And in District 2—the other open city council seat since Jensen race for mayor—Republican Pete Schwartz won with 57% over Mark Skipper, who received 43%.
 
Incumbents Greg O’Connor, Megan Wiles and Wil Hampton were unopposed.
 
But O’Connor will face Democrat Jason Myers in the fall. Myers beat Gary Bartunek in the only Democratic primary in Hamilton County this year.