Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, National Action Network of Indiana and the Baptist Ministers Alliance called for the change and questioned why Kate Sweeney Bell’s departure as party chair didn’t come sooner.
Not-for-profit Act Indiana says 60 people associated with the organization were elected in last month’s primary-year elections for Democratic precinct committee positions. That’s more than one in five of the 291 precinct committeepeople elected.
Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell was headed toward victory Tuesday night in the primary race for county clerk, leading her non-slated primary opponent, former state Sen. Billie Breaux. Bell has said she would step down as party chair if she won.
A longtime feud among local Democrats has come to a head in the contentious race for county clerk, pitting county recorder and party chair Kate Sweeney Bell against former state senator and two-time county auditor Billie Breaux.
Mike Schmuhl says any turnaround for Democrats must include the revitalization of the Democratic Party at the local level, a task complicated by the image of a national party that cares less about rural and small-town voters.
The candidates are in a crowded primary election battle to become their party’s nominee for the seat.
Evans says he feels mostly shut out of the Democrat-controlled council despite “speaking for a wide progressive base who wants these very solutions implemented.”
A Democrat-authored amendment aimed at ousting Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell made it a step further this week when the Indiana House approved the elections bill it’s tacked onto. And the bill leaves the door open for state legislators to pursue her job.
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.
