Some Black Indianapolis-area elected officials accused Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell of running discriminatory selection processes for slating and precinct committee people.
Under the leadership of new party chair Joe Elsener, IndyGOP has worked to build a sturdier foundation: rolling out a new website, maintaining a consistent presence on social media, launching a new weekly newsletter and starting a young Republicans Club.
IBJ recently had a chance to talk to Schmuhl about his rebuilding efforts—and the prospect of Pete Buttigieg coming back to Indiana to run for office.
Mike Schmuhl, former presidential campaign manager for Pete Buttigieg, will replace outgoing chair John Zody, who has held the position since 2013.
Trish Whitcomb’s exit leaves Mike Schmuhl, former presidential campaign manager for Pete Buttigieg, and Tom Wallace as the two remaining candidates for chair of the Indiana Democratic Party.
Mike Schmuhl, 38, will run on a ticket with Myla Eldridge, clerk of Marion County since 2014.
Trish Whitcomb, who served as the campaign manager for former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz in 2012, announced Wednesday that she would be seeking the position.
Democrats locked up one victory in the Georgia Senate runoff elections and held an edge in the other as votes were still being counted early Wednesday morning. A sweep would result in a 50-50 tie in the Senate that could be broken by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Former Indiana State Rep. Karlee Macer, who represented Speedway and the west side of Indianapolis from 2012 until this year, announced on Twitter on Monday that she would seek the position.
John Zody, who has been the party chair since 2013, told reporters on Friday morning that he will finish his term through March and then help the party reorganize its leadership.
Bookmark this link to keep up with election results. IBJ’s team will have the latest in this story that is outside the paywall.
Democrats’ increased participation and slight gains in recent Hamilton County elections may be part of a long-term strategy, but local party officials don’t think that will result in many county-level victories on Nov. 3.
During the discussion, the candidates answered questions about job creation, broadband internet, marijuana, a COVID-19 vaccine, racial disparities, redistricting and what time zone Indiana should be.
Even as he’s worked to lead the state through the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Eric Holcomb has managed to raise millions of dollars for his reelection campaign.
Republican state lawmakers seeking reelection in the northern suburbs are campaigning significantly more this year than in previous elections.
When the former Evansville mayor announced his candidacy in December, he believed he’d be facing embattled Republican incumbent Curtis Hill. Instead, is running against Republican Todd Rokita.
In every role Hale has held in her career, she has connected people, especially women, to opportunities for growth and success.
Democrat Woody Myers is the state’s first Black gubernatorial nominee from either major political party, but Black community leaders say his campaign is getting lost in the barrage of news about COVID-19 and protests over police brutality and racial inequity.
During a televised speech Thursday evening as part of the Indiana Democratic Party’s virtual convention, Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Woody Myers talked about his experiences with racism as a child in Indianapolis.
To address concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the Indiana Election Commission in March expanded the option of voting by mail to any registered voter. But the change only applied to the June 2 primary election.
