INDIANAPOLIS — With attention focused on the pandemic and protests across the nation, Tuesday’s primary may have gotten even less attention than usual.
Here’s what you missed in yesterday’s primary election:
Hale, Spartz win in 5th District
Former Indiana Rep. Christina Hale and current State Sen. Victoria Spartz won the Democratic and Republican primaries for the state’s 5th Congressional District, respectively.
The two women outraised led the field of 20 for the primary, with Hale No. 1 with more than $1.05 million raised and Spartz at No. 2 with more than $841,000 raised.
“I have a proven record of working across the aisle to solve problems and deliver results,” Hale said. “In Congress, I’ll work with anyone and everyone to make health care more affordable, create good-paying jobs right here in Indiana, and support our small businesses as they fight to recover.”
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer released the following statement on Spartz’s win:
"Congratulations to Victoria Spartz and her supporters for winning the Fifth Congressional District primary! It was a competitive primary with many great candidates and now we all need to join with Victoria Spartz and ensure this seat stays red in November. Holding the Fifth will be crucial to flipping the House and kicking Nancy Pelosi out of the Speaker's chair."
Trump, Biden win as expected
The first races called by the Associated Press were also the most predictable. President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are both the presumptive nominees for their parties in the 2020 presidential election.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was second in Indiana’s Democratic primary with 13% of the vote.
The only other Republican on the presidential primary ballot, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, won 8% of the vote from Trump.
Incumbents winning congressional primaries
Besides the 1st and 5th congressional districts, which had retiring incumbents, all of Indiana’s current seatholders won their primary elections in the state. This includes:
- 2nd District: Republican Jackie Walorski
- 3rd District: Republican Jim Banks
- 4th District: Republican Jim Baird (uncontested)
- 6th District: Republican Greg Pence
- 7th District: Democrat André Carson
- 8th District: Republican Larry Bucshon (uncontested)
- 9th District: Republican Trey Hollingsworth
Two Indiana counties with no results
Two of Indiana’s 92 counties reported no results Tuesday evening. Both Boone and Monroe counties are still working through the ballots.
At about 9:30 p.m., a Boone County Clerk Jessica Fouts said they still had about 6,000 more to go. She said they hope to be done Wednesday, but it could be as late as Thursday before they report results.
Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne said the poll workers are “getting their learning curve on new voting equipment and electronic pollbooks.”
They also had to split up counting teams to not overcrowd due to COVID-19. Browne said she expects results Wednesday.
