WTHR Channel 13 - Incumbents Win Easily in Early Election Returns for Indiana

News Article

By Unknown

Republican Connie Lawson will keep the Indiana secretary of state office after fending off a strong challenge from former Marion County clerk Beth White.

Lawson was part of a sweep for Republican women in three state offices: Lawson as secretary of state, Suzanne Crouch as state auditor and Kelly Mitchell as state treasurer.

"This was a great night for Indiana. By electing our statewide team of Connie Lawson, Suzanne Crouch, and Kelly Mitchell, Hoosiers made history and sent a resounding message of support for conservative fiscal leadership in Indiana."

It was a sweep for Democrats in Marion County races, with Sheriff John Layton keeping his position, along with Prosecutor Terry Curry.

Democrat Myla Eldridge was poised to win county clerk, where she will succeed Beth White. Democrats also won the auditor and recorder races.Early results from Indiana's races showed incumbents winning easily, with several races already called by 8:00 pm.

Republican congressional incumbents Marlin Stutzman (district 3) Todd Rokita (district 4), Luke Messer (district 6) and Jackie Walorski (district 2) were declared the winners early in the evening and Mike Delph (district 29) held off J.D. Ford late Tuesday night. Reps. Todd Young (R-district 9), Larry Buschon (R-district 8), Susan Brooks (R-district 5), Andre Carson (D-district 7) and Peter Visclosky (D-district 1) were also among the winners - making it a clean sweep for incumbents.

Nationally, Republicans are looking to take control of the Senate. If the Senate turns, WTHR Republican political analyst Peter Rusthoven says Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) will be "chairman of an important committee and his seniority will be important."

See election results for central Indiana.

"Turnout is very important. This weather has not helped it, and the fact that everybody says there's gonna be low turnout has not helped it. But I believe that our voters are gonna come out in good fashion here in Marion County," said Robin Winston, WTHR's Democratic political analyst.

"I think the vote in Marion County is gonna be light and that makes the sheriff's race interesting and gives the Republicans a chance," said Rusthoven.

Carson statement

Rep. Carson released the following statement after winning re-election:

"I am honored and humbled to continue to serve my neighbors, friends and family as your representative from the District where I was born and raised.
"I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last several years, but our work is not done. My focus in Indianapolis will not waver from looking for ways to help create jobs, cut crime and grow the economy.

"Tonight, I am renewing my commitment to every Hoosier - regardless of race, income, or who you love - I will continue to work hard to make things better for you and your family in Indianapolis."

Curry statement

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry released the following statement after his victory:

"We have many accomplishments from these past 4 years in office of which we can be proud. We have restored public confidence in the Prosecutor's Office by strengthening our ties to the communities we serve and demonstrating time and again that no one is above the law. We have endeavored to bring to justice those in positions of trust who harm those they are sworn to protect and those who perpetrate financial scams against the most vulnerable. We have aggressively pursued the most dangerous of criminals by participating in strategic efforts with agencies across countless disciplines. We have returned professionalism to the way our office conducts itself. And we're just getting started.
"We face challenges in our pursuit of justice but we continue to meet them head on. We work diligently with our police partners to address the immediate needs of residents as well as the complicated root causes of crime in our neighborhoods. We sit with our neighbors and listen to their concerns about violence on their streets. We are committed to doing our part in helping young people choose a path not associated with crime and violence but instead with opportunity. We advocate for victims of abuse, neglect and violence, helping them to find courage in their own voices. And we promise to continue approaching each day with the strong resolve to make a difference in just one life so that we may better the city we serve.

"I am privileged to have the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of Marion County and alongside the great men and women working at the Prosecutor's Office. I enthusiastically look forward to all we will accomplish over the next four years and I am honored to be your prosecutor."

Other races:

Elvis Presley impersonator Bruce Borders is returning to the Indiana House two years after he was unseated in 2012. The Republican candidate defeated Democratic incumbent Bionca Gambill in Tuesday's election.

Borders formerly represented southwest Indiana in the House before losing to former Rep. Kreg Battles in a redrawn district. He is best known for the bushy sideburns, solid crooning and array of flashy jumpsuits he uses in his Elvis act.

Before his first run for the Indiana House in 2002, Borders was featured on national television as the crooning mayor of Jasonville. He still performs, and his website lists a show in Franklin, Indiana, this past August.

See election results for central Indiana.

Other winners:

Curt Nisly, R, State House, District 22, Indiana

Tom Saunders, R, State House, District 54, Indiana.

Milo Smith, R, State House, District 59, Indiana.

Chip Perfect, R, State Senate, District 43, Indiana.

In Kentucky, incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell fended off a challenge from Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Source