Hamilton County May 2020 Primary Election Guide

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For more on where and how to vote click here.

U.S. President

Joseph R. Biden (D)

Donald Trump (R)*

Governor

Woodrow Myers (D)

Eric Holcomb (R)*

Indiana Fifth Congressional District

For more on the candidates in this race click here.

Jennifer Christie (D)

  • Personal: Christie and her husband have four children and have lived in the district for 20 years. Christie volunteers as a Girl Scout leader and she and her family are parishioners in the Episcopal Church, where they are involved in choir and education. The Christie family is heavily involved in the performing arts as well as environmental advocacy and outdoor education. 
  • Background: Christie graduated with honors from Pursue University with degrees in chemistry and biology. She worked for years as an environmental chemist and advocate. She earned a master’s certification and worked as a process improvement leader in clinical trials for many years where she managed teams and projects in many nations. She teaches community science classes in chemistry and biology. 
  • Website: jenniferforindiana.com

Christina Hale (D)

  • Personal: Hale is married to Chris and they have a son, Owen, and two dogs, Grace and Pinecone.
  • Background: Hale graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree, and she has worked for several years in leadership for a global organization dedicated to supporting global health and children. She also has worked in community and economic development and education. For several years, she has volunteered for, donated to and served in leadership for many cause-related local organizations, including the Indiana Commission on Latino & Hispanic Affairs, Indiana InternNet, Indiana Humanities, Heartland Film and the Domestic Violence Network. Her most active involvement today is with a board she helped to found and continues to serve on, the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking.
  • Website: haleforcongress.com

Andy Jacobs (D)

Jacobs did not respond to Current for the election guide. Below is information about him published in a previous story.

  • Personal: Not provided
  • Background: Jacobs is a deputy prosecutor in Marion County. Both his grandfather and father served in Congress.
  • Website: Not provided

Ralph Spelbring (D)

Spelbring did not respond to Current for the election guide. Below is information about him published in a previous story.

  • Personal: Not provided
  • Background: Spelbring is an Elkhart resident. He is self-employed on a part-time basis, delivering trucks and recreation vehicles to businesses.
  • Website: Not provided

Dee Thornton (D)

  • Personal: Thornton is married to Don and they have three children, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. She is involved with Carmel’s Commission on Human Relations Board, Madison County 4-H Extension Board and Families First.
  • Background: Thornton has a bachelor’s degree in communication and computer science from the University of Louisville. She has an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan and is Lean Six Sigma-certified. She retired after more than 30 years at Xerox Corp.
  • Website: deethorntonforcongress.com

Kent Abernathy (R)

  • Personal: Abernathy is married to Karen. They have three sons.
  • Background: Abernathy is the former Bureau of Motor Vehicles commissioner. He attended West Point and became an officer in the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Bragg, N.C., and in South Korea. After entering civilian life, Abernathy worked in the banking industry in New York City. He then served as a vice president with National City Bank and Bank One in Indianapolis. In 2003, Abernathy returned to the military, serving in leadership at the Pentagon and as chief of staff of the Iraq Assistance Group in Baghdad and as the interim director of the U.S. Central Command Washington Liaison Office. He served as BMV commissioner from 2015 to 2017. He also is involved in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, West Point Society of Indiana (past president), Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Alphonsus Liguori.
  • Website: kentabernathy.com 

Andrew Bales (R)

  • Personal: Bales has three daughters ages 36, 20 and 8. He has four grandchildren.
  • Background: Bales has 13 years of service to the U.S. Army, 15 years of service as a teacher in Indiana and works as a private contractor. He has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in education. Personal hobbies include playing music. He plays guitar, bass and drums and records music in his home studio.
  • Website: balesforcongress.com

Micah Beckwith (R)

  • Personal: Beckwith is married to Susan and they have two children, Brody and Savannah.
  • Background: Beckwith graduated from Huntington University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in management, economics and finance. He has owned and operated small businesses for years and is the CEO of Sing Love Ministries Inc. Beckwith has been in ministry for 15 years and is a pastor at Northview Church.
  • Website: beckwith4congress.com

Carl Brizzi (R)

  • Personal: Brizzi is married to Kim. They have six children.
  • Background: Brizzi is a Fishers resident and an attorney and former Marion County prosecutor. He graduated from North Central High School in 1986, from Indiana University in 1990 and in 1993 from the Valparaiso School of Law. He served as Marion County prosecutor from 2003 to 2010 and is an attorney at Lewis & Wilkins. He also is involved in the NRA, Liberty Fund, Mont Pellerin Society and Bastiat Society.
  • Website: votebrizzi.com

Allen Davidson (R)

  • Personal: Davidson lives in northeast Indianapolis and lived in Fishers from 2007 to 2015. He moved to Indiana from Texas in 1991. He lived in northeast Indianapolis until 2007. He has a son and a daughter.
  • Background: Davidson is a highway engineer working with the Indiana Dept. of Transportation since 2007. He specializes in pavement design for bridge projects. He received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Texas Tech University in 1991 and also holds professional engineer licenses in Indiana and Texas.
  • Website: ard4in05.com

Chuck Dietzen (R)

  • Personal: Dr. Chuck Dietzen lives in Zionsville and grew up in Kokomo. His father worked at the Chrysler Plant and his family took care of 150 foster kids, which he said helped shape compassion for children. 
  • Background: Dietzen is the founder of Timmy Global Health, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization established in 1997 to expand access to health care in the developing world while empowering students and medical professional volunteers to tackle global health challenges. He volunteers with the organizatinon. He is a distinguished alum of the IU School of Medicine, a distinguished alum of Purdue University School of Agriculture, a board-certified pediatric rehabilitation specialist, a former chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and founder of Timmy Global Helth and iSalus Healthcare and is a Christopher Award-winning author and international speaker.
  • Website: drchuckforcongress.com

Beth Henderson (R)

  • Personal: Henderson is married to Terry. They have two children. 
  • Background: Henderson runs the family business and a small farm. She is a registered nurse, farmer, entrepreneur, started her own medical case management and agricultural businesses, and is co-owner and VP of operations at Achieva, Inc.
  • Website: bethforindiana.com

Matt Hook (R)

  • Personal: Hook is married Jody. His children are Jacob, Luke, Katy, Anna Grace, Mary Clare and David James (deceased). Hook is the chairman of The Villages of Indiana (foster care, adoption and child abuse), Second Helpings (food insecurity), Brightwood (tutoring) and a board member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Men’s Group.
  • Background: Hook has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and a Certified Public Accountant certificate. He has a juris doctorate from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. He has been a Certified Public Accountant for eight years, a corporate lawyer for 11 years and the last 17 years of his career was as a partner in a private equity firm investing in, and serving on the board of, companies throughout the United States.
  • Website: votethefuturenow.com

Matthew Hullinger (R)

Hullinger did not respond to Current for the election guide. Below is information about him published in a previous story.

  • Personal: Hullinger has a 7-year-old son, Jordan.
  • Background: He is pursuing a secondary education degree at IUPUI, with plans on becoming a history teacher.

Website: Not provided

Kelly Mitchell (R)

Mitchell did not respond to Current for the election guide. Below is information about her published in a previous story.

  • Personal: Not provided
  • Background: Mitchell is the state treasurer. She served as a Cass County commissioner and worked as the director of TrustINdiana before becoming treasurer. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Valparaiso University and advanced degrees from IUPUI and the U.S. Army War College.
  • Website: Not provided

Danny Niederberger (R)

  • Personal: Niederberger has never married and has no children.
  • Background: Niederberge has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree in management from Purdue University. He is a fund accountant at Concise Capital Management and previously worked as a portfolio accountant at Wallington Asset Management. 
  • Website: dannyforhoosiers.com

Mark Small (R)

  • Personal: Small is single and owns a cat.
  • Background: Small is a lawyer. The focus of his practice is appeals, although he also advocates for clients at the trial level in some instances. He graduated from DePauw University in 1978 and from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis in 1989. 
  • Website: civildiscoursenow.com

Victoria Spartz (R)

  • Personal: Spartz is married to Jason and lives in Noblesville with their two daughters. She is the senator for District 20 but is leaving that office to seek the the 5th Congressional District seat.
  • Background: Spartz was born overseas and grew up in Ukraine. She emigrated to the U.S. 20 years ago, became a U.S. citizen and then worked her way up from bank teller to business executive, CPA and business owner.
  • Website: spartzforcongress.com

Russell Stwalley (R)

  • Personal: Stwalley lives in Fishers with his wife, son and two dogs.
  • Background: Stwalley has worked many job and has been self-employed twice. He has worked in warehouses, food establishments and is the dough master for a pizza business.
  • Website: stwalleycongress2020.com 

Victor Wakley (R)

  • Personal: Wakley is married and has two sons, Alexander and Devon. He is living in and restoring a 100-year-old home in Lapel.
  • Background: Wakley is the president of Save Our Veterans, Inc. He has worked with Disney and the White House to establish veteran hiring initiatives, which resulted in the hiring of thousands of veterans nationwide. His wife works for a company in Carmel called Liberty Fund. Inc. which educates individuals worldwide on how to be free and responsible citizens.
  • Website: Vote4Victor.org

Ken Tucker (L)

  • Personal: Tucker is married to Missy and is the father to Stella and Geri. He is a stay-at-home father.
  • Background: Tucker received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and spent 12 years as a public school teacher in elementary and middle schools. He spent nine years as a varsity coach and two years as the Noblesville East Middle School studio producer.   
  • Website: tuckerforindiana.com

Senate District 20

Ronnie Saunders III (D)

  • Personal: Saunders is married to Brianna and has two daughters, Layla and Eleanora. He lives in Westfield. The family attends Hope City Church in Carmel. Saunders serves on the Worship Team and First Impressions Team.
  • Background: Saunders works as a firefighter/EMT with the Indianapolis Fire Dept. He earned his bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Indiana State University. He served was an assistant director to the Behavioral Health and
  • Human Services Licensing Board. He also was active with the Association of Social Work Boards.  He then served as an educator at Lawrence Central High School where he worked in the Special Education Dept. While at Lawrence Central, he was an offensive assistant coach for the varsity football team. He is a member of the Health & Safety Committee, a Peer Support Specialist and an Information Technology Special Assistant. He volunteers with the American Cancer Society where he participates in the Relay for Life. He is an entrepreneur, operating MoveRight Media and Design, LLC which is a graphics, media and web design agency.
  • Website: saundersforindiana.com

Scott Baldwin (R)

  • Personal: Baldwin lives in Noblesville with his wife Jaime and three children Grace, Luke and Elyse. They are active members of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and their children attend school there. Baldwin serves on the Parish Finance Council and volunteers as a youth football coach with the Catholic Youth Organization. Baldwin also serves on the Hamilton County Health Board, Hamilton County Redevelopment Commission and is a former board member of Crime Stoppers, Riverview Hospital and Food Rescue. He is a life member of the American Legion, the VFW and the NRA.
  • Background: Baldwin is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with more than 25 years of military and law enforcement experience. He was deployed during Operation Desert Storm and returned to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom, where he assisted Marine Corps personnel in identifying and apprehending high-value, anti-coalition elements and narco-terrorists. He then served as an officer with the Indiana Dept. of Corrections and as a patrol officer, field training supervisor, narcotics detective and homicide unit supervisor with the Indianapolis Police Dept. for more than a decade where he earned two Medals of Bravery and a Medal of Valor. He also volunteered as a reserve detective with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. He is a successful business owner who has owned or helped grow several companies in the IT, real estate, construction and security sectors. He is owner and president of Envoy, Inc., a construction and real estate development firm.
  • Website: votebaldwin.com

John Gaylor (R)

Gaylor did not respond to Current for the election guide.

Senate District 30

Fady Qaddoura (D)

  • Personal: Qaddoura is married to Samar, and they have two daughters.
  • Background: Qaddoura has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of New Orleans, a master’s degree in public administration from IUPUI and a doctorate in philanthropy and public policy from IUPUI. He also holds multiple certificates such as Executive Leadership from Rice University Leadership Institute for Not-for-Profit Executives and Public Policy Mediation and Dispute Resolution from O’Neil School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He has worked for the Indiana Senate and Indiana Statehouse as a policy and legal intern and been a policy analyst at the Dept. of Workforce Development, a senior manager at the Indiana State Family and Social Services Administration and controller and chief financial officer for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County. He also taught philanthropy and public finance as an adjunct faculty member at IUPUI.
  • Website: Fady4Indiana.com

Terry Michael (R)

  • Personal: Michael is marred to Brenden Hudson. They are a foster family. Michael is president of Indianapolis Arts Chorale.
  • Background: Michael attended Fort Wayne Bible College. He is the former Fall Creek Township trustee and deputy assessor. He also is a real estate broker.
  • Website: Not provided

John Ruckleshaus (R)*

  • Personal: Ruckelshaus is married to Mary and has three children, Drew, Maggie and Jay. 
  • Background: Ruckelshaus is the incumbent senator for District 30. He is the director of business development at Van Ausdall & Farrar. He graduated from Pike High School and Indiana University and is the former co-owner of Carter-Lee Lumber Company. Ruckelshaus served as a state representative from 1990 to 1992, as deputy commissioner for the Dept. of Workforce Development from 2006 to 2008 and has been a state senator since 2016.
  • Website: senatorruckelshaus.com, Twitter @senJohnRuck, Facebook @JohnRuckelshausSD30.

State Representative District 24

Naomi Bechtold (D)

  • Personal: Bechtold is married to Marty, and they have lived in Carmel since 2008. They have two children, one who went to Creekside Middle School and both graduated from Brebeuf Jesuit High School.
  • Background: Bechtold has a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Duke University and an MBA from Lehigh University. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor. She works as an extension specialist for Purdue Extension. She is a board member for the Carmel Clay Parks Foundation, founding member of the Carmel Kiwanis Club and the past president for the Indiana affiliate of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
  • Website: bechtoldforindiana.com

Donna Schaibley (R)*

  • Personal: Schaibley lives in Carmel with her husband, John. They have two children and two grandchildren. Schaibley is a member of the Carmel Rotary Club.
  • Background: Schaibley is the incumbent for District 24 and has been since 2015. Schaibley was born and raised in Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in education and political science. She has worked in the administration of two major universities, was a leader on the Board of Trustees of the Orchard School and served as a substitute teacher in the Carmel Clay schools and as a volunteer in the community. Schaibley is vice chairman of the Courts and Criminal Code Committee and is a member of the Insurance Committee, the Financial Institutions Committee and the Recycling Marketing Development Board. She has authored and sponsored numerous bills which she successfully helped enact into law. Her recent accomplishments include authoring or sponsoring legislation making schools more secure, enabling patients to discover health care costs in advance of treatment by requiring price transparency and strengthening the rights of victims of sexual assault and human trafficking.
  • Website: schaibleyforindiana.com or State Representative Donna Schaibley on Facebook.

State Representative District 29

Mike Vick (D)

  • Personal: Vick is married to Amanda. They have two children and live in Noblesville. They are active members of Waterline Church, where Vick volunteers on the setup crew.
  • Background: Vick attended the University of San Francisco, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in political science. He also attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary but had to leave before completing a doctoral program. He plans to finish at some point in the future. He was a journalist for approximately 10 years. Since 2016, he has done political organizing on behalf of SEIU, AFL-CIO, Greenpeace, the Indiana Democratic Party and Citizens Action Coalition.
  • Website: votevick2020.com

Chuck Goodrich (R)*

  • Personal: Goodrich lives in Noblesville with his wife, Tricia. They have four children. The Goodrich family is active in the Noblesville community and are members of White River Christian Church.
  • Background: Goodrich is the incumbent representative for District 29. He is president and CEO of Gaylor Electric, Inc. He began his career with Gaylor Electric in 1991 as a summer intern and moved up to various leadership positions within the company. He was named president in 2014 and CEO in 2018. Goodrich has served as past national chairman of the board of directors for National Associated Builders and Contractors, is past chairman and current board member of the Riverview Health Foundation in Noblesville and past chairman and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Purdue Construction Advisory Council for Building Construction Management. He works with the Hamilton County Workforce Innovation Network, is a member of the Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development’s Region 5 Workforce Development Board and is chairman of the Indiana/Kentucky ABC chapter. Goodrich also serves as chairman for the charity, David’s Well. He has won the James J. Leonard Memorial Award; Business Person of the Year, City of Noblesville; the ABC Outstanding Chapter Support Award; and the Gaylor Optimist Award. He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in building construction management.
  • Website: chuckgoodrichforindiana.com or facebook.com/ChuckGoodrich2020.

State Representative District 32

Amie Neiling (D)

Neiling did not respond to Current for the election guide.

Daniel Bragg (R)

  • Personal: Bragg is married to Christin, and they live in Sheridan with their son. Bragg served 3 1/2 years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. During that time, he volunteered for the Special Olympics and took part in multiple walks, fundraisers and donated money to multiple charities, winning several awards from the Combined Federal Campaign. He has run for office the past two election cycles for Sheridan Town Council, losing by a combined 21 votes.  
  • Background: Bragg graduated from Sheridan High School in 2008.  He attended Purdue University in Kokomo for a year before deciding to join the military in 2011 and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. In 2012, he was deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar for six months. He moved to Barksdale AFB in the fall of 2013, where he spent his remaining year. He worked for AT&T for three years as a Premises Technician, installing UVerse in people’s homes. Since 2018, he has worked for Nexstar Broadcasting as a master control shift supervisor. As of 2020, he is serving on the Plan Commission and Redevelopment Commission for the Town of Sheridan.
  • Website: facebook.com/ BraggForIndiana

Tony Cook (R)*

  • Personal: Cook is married to Kathryn, and they have two adult sons, Tyler and Travis. They have three grandsons. Cook has volunteered as a community sports coach and advisor and has mentored school administrators. He has been a member of the Cicero Christian Church for 38 years and is involved in numerous volunteer activities there.
  • Background: Cook is the incumbent representative for District 32. He graduated from Hamilton Heights High School and attended Anderson University on an athletic/academic scholarship, where he played football and baseball. He received a degree in social studies and physical education and health and went on to earn his master’s in education/administration from Butler University and his EdD in curriculum and administration from Purdue University.
  • He worked for 41 years as the superintendent for Hamilton Heights, and he also worked as a high school principal for Hamilton Heights and Noblesville high schools. He said one highlight of his professional career as a principal was the successful integration of Ryan White (nationally first AIDS student admitted without restrictions) into Hamilton Heights High School. During his six years in the legislature, he was selected as the Mitch Daniels and Cheri Daniels Community Health Leader of the Year, the Indiana Architecture Association, Legislator of the Year and the Indiana Humane Society Legislator of the year. He has authored, co-authored and sponsored more than 50 bills that have been enacted into law.
  • Website: Not provided.

State Representative District 37

Aimee Rivera Cole (D)

  • Personal: Rivera Cole is married to Randy Cole and has two children, A.J. Rivera and Ally Rivera. She is a member of Holy Spirit Parish at Geist. 
  • Background: Rivera Cole received her law degree. from Valparaiso University School of Law, and her bachelor’s degree in business from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. She is a senior counsel for Travelers Staff Counsel. She has volunteered with and filled various positions for Sagamore Inn of Court, Fishers TigerOne, Fishers Girls Lacrosse Board, Fishers Gridiron Board, Mock Trial, We the People, Fishers Rugby Board, HSE Lacrosse Board, Southeastern Youth Rugby Board and Knights Cheer. 
  • Websitevotecole2020.com

Todd Huston (R)*

  • Personal: Huston lives in Fishers with his wife, Denise, and their two children, Elizabeth and Jake.
  • Background: Huston is the incumbent for District 37. He is the Speaker of the House and was first elected in 2012. In 2019, he authored the state’s budget (HEA 1001), which included a historic investment in education funding with $763 million in new money for K-12. He previously served on the Hamilton Southeastern School Board, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation Board, Fishers Planning Commission and Indiana Leadership Forum Board of Directors. Additionally, former Gov. Mitch Daniels twice asked Huston to serve the state, first with a four-year term as a member of the Indiana State Board of Education, and from 2006 to 2009 as a member of the Indiana Education Roundtable. Huston is a senior vice president at The College Board. He is a graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School and Indiana University.
  • Website: Todd Huston for State Representative on Facebook.

State Representative District 39

Mark Hinton (D)

  • Personal: Hinton has a daughter, Abriann.
  • Background: Hinton volunteers with the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy and the Edinburgh Merchants Association. He is a substitute teacher currently employed as a medical office administrator. He has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.
  • Website: hintonforindiana39.com.

Ashley Klein (D)

  • Personal: Klein is married to Angela and has three children, Andrew, Alex and Ari.      
  • Background: Klein graduated from Carmel High School in 1999 and from Purdue University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is a small business owner and works as a Realtor at F.C. Tucker Company. She has past experience as a commercial real estate appraiser, law firm paralegal and United Way foster youth coordinator. Klein is the treasurer for the Carmel Democratic Club, a former member of the Prevent Child Abuse Indiana advisory board and previously served as a volunteer head coach for the Carmel High School girls’ rugby team. She worked for the Indiana House Democrats as an intern in 2001.
  • Websitekleinforindiana.com

Jerry Torr (R)*

  • Personal: Torr is a sixth-generation Hoosier and grew up on a family farm in Putnam County. He became a Carmel resident in 1987. He is active in the OneZone Chamber of Commerce and serves on the boards of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Indiana Humanities Council. He also is a past board member of the local chapter of the National MS Society.  
  • Background: Torr is the District 39 incumbent. After studying at Hanover College, he graduated from what is now known as the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Calif. His professional career has been in property and casualty insurance, and most recently title insurance at Near North Title Group. In the legislature, his focus is largely on business issues. He has chaired the Committee on Labor and Employment, the House Rules Committee and currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee. He has been recognized for his leadership on business issues, twice receiving the Indiana Chamber’s Government Leader of the Year Award.
  • Website: Torr for State Representative on Facebook

State Representative District 88

Pam Dechert (D)

  • Personal: Dechert is married to Derek and has lived in the Geist area for 15 years.  Her son attends Forest Glen School of Spanish Immersion in Lawrence Township.
  • Background: Dechert attended Andrean High School in Merrillville and later attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She attended graduate school in public policy and nonprofit management at IUPUI. Her professional and volunteer work focuses on helping nonprofits raise money and meet their missions. She’s spent much of her career at Blackbaud, a leading cloud software company powering social good. She recently served as co-chair of the Yes4LawrenceSchools Political Action Committee to successfully pass a $191 million capital referendum. Dechert is the chair of the Benjamin Harrison YMCA Advisory Board, is chair of the Major Gifts Committee and is a longtime volunteer and board member. She serves on the Greater Indianapolis YMCA Financial Development Committee as well as the Diversity, Inclusion and Global Initiatives Committee.
  • Website: pamdechertforindiana.com

Chris Jeter (R)

  • Personal: Jeter is married to Karen and they have two children, Macy and Hayden. They are expecting their third child in July. They are members of Northview Church. Jeter serves on the Fishers Economic Development Commission and on the Board of Directors for NineStar Connect, a utility company in Greenfield. 
  • Background: Jeter graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University. He then earned a law degree from The George Washington University before joining the Navy as a judge advocate general officer for seven years of active duty. He was stationed in a number of posts around the world, including a 1-year deployment to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  • Website: chrisjeter.com

Leah McGrath (R)

  • Personal: McGrath is married to Chris and resides in Fishers. They have three sons, Patrick, Nate and Ethan, who attend Hamilton Southeastern Schools. McGrath is in her third year as president of the Fishers Youth Assistance Program. She also helped start the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability and serves on the board of directors for Conner Prairie. She is a volunteer in her sons’ school and sports activities, and their family is active at Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church.
  • Background: Leah grew up in Pendleton and graduated from Purdue University. She has owned her own business and now serves as vice president for a large technology company in Indianapolis. McGrath has been active in advancing public policy in Indiana, most recently serving as Fishers deputy mayor from 2015 to 2019 with Mayor Scott Fadness.
  • Website: leahmcgrath.com

Judge Circuit Court

*Paul Felix (R)

  • Personal: Felix is married to Nicki and has three children between the ages of 8 and 18. He is a member of the Noblesville Elks Lodge 576 and the Beth El Zedeck Congregation.
  • Background: Felix is the incumbent. He is unopposed. He is a volunteer with the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program and the YMCA. Felix received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1992 and his J.D. from the Indiana University Law School in 1995. He volunteers on the Indiana Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness and with the Indiana Supreme Court Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure. He is a member of the Indiana Judicial Conference and is the lead judge for Hamilton County’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative and has been the presenter at several Bench and Bar CLE conferences.
  • Website: Not provided

Judge Superior Court No. 3

William Hughes (R)*

  • Personal: Hughes has lived in Noblesville for the 40 years and has two sons and four grandchildren. He has been active in volunteer educational activities for the National Judicial College, the Judicial Conference of Indiana, the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum and the Hamilton County Bar Association. He also is a fellow of the Indiana State Bar Foundation and a fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation.  
  • Background: Hughes is the incumbent. He is unopposed. He attended the University of Evansville for his undergraduate degree and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He attended the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis, now the Robert McKinney School of Law. He was sworn in as the first judge of Hamilton Superior Court 3 in 1988. He is a graduate of the Indiana Judicial College and a graduate of the Graduate Program for Indiana Judges. 
  • Website: Not provided

Judge Superior Court No. 4

J. Richard Campbell (R)*

  • Personal: Campbell is married to Laura and they have a son, Benjamin. They live in Carmel. Campbell serves as a member on the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. He also is a member of the Hamilton County Community Corrections Board.
  • Background: Campbell is the incumbent. He is unopposed. He has been the judge for 24 years. He is a graduate of Carmel High School, the University of Evansville and the Indiana School of Law in Indianapolis. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked as a data processing manager. Prior to becoming a judge, he worked at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and worked in private practice.
  • Website: None
Judge Superior Court No. 5

David K. Najjar (R)*

  • Personal: Najjar is married to Karen, and they have three children, Katherine, Nicholas and Nathaniel. He is active with his church, St. George Orthodox Church in Fishers.
  • Background: Najjar is the incumbent. He is unopposed. He graduated from Indiana University in 1994 and from the McKinney School of Law in 1997. He was a deputy prosecuting attorney in Hamilton County for seven years prior to being appointed as a magistrate for the Hamilton Superior Courts in 2005. In 2017, he was appointed as judge of Hamilton Superior Court 5 by Gov. Eric Holcomb. He is a graduate of the Indiana Judicial College and serves on the Indiana judiciary on the Domestic Relations Committee.
  • Website: @davidnajjarforjudge on Facebook
County Auditor

Robin Mills (R)*

  • Personal: She was married for 26 years to Jim Mills and widowed in 2007. She has two children, Jared and Shelby.
  • Background: Mills is the incumbent. She is unopposed. She is a 1980 graduate of Noblesville High School. She is a 1998 graduate of Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Mills served as the county’s auditor from 2001 to 2008 and then again in 2017 to present. She was the chief deputy auditor from 1994 through 1999 and 2006 through 2016. She is vice president of the East Central District of Indiana Auditor’s Association, a member and past president and past secretary of the Cicero Kiwanis, a member of the Hamilton County Republican Women’s Club and a member of the Hamilton County GOP Breakfast Club. Her platforms are providing transparency, efficiency and accessibility to all citizens of Hamilton County
  • Website: millsforauditor.com or Robin M. Mills for Hamilton County Auditor on Facebook. 

County Treasurer

Kim Good (R)

  • Personal: Good is married to Bryan and has two children, Chris and Anna, and one grandson, Carson. She volunteers with the Cicero Kiwanis and various youth sports teams in the Hamilton Heights area.
  • Background: Good graduated from Noblesville High School in 1988 and has been employed for 30 years with the treasurer’s office, including 20 years in management, a former two-term treasurer, a chief deputy treasurer for the past seven years and five years prior to her election to treasurer in 2004. She is a Hamilton County Republican Party board member, Hamilton County Federated Women’s club board member and former board member of the Indiana Federated Republican Women’s club. She is a past president of the Indiana Counties Treasurer’s Association and 2010 Treasurer of the Year winner presented by the ICTA.
  • Website: kimgoodfortreasurer.com or Kim Good for Treasurer on Facebook

Susan Byer (R)

  • Personal: Byer is the mother of two daughters, Madison and Morgan. She is an Arcadia resident and a volunteer parent leader for the Hamilton County 4-H Horse & Pony Club and the 4-H Dog Club. She also volunteers on the board of the Hamilton County Horseman’s club.
  • Background: Byer graduated from Hamilton Heights High School and attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She worked as the bankruptcy/lender clerk at the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office for approximately 13 years.
  • Website: Susan Byer for Hamilton County Treasurer on Facebook.

County Surveyor

Kenton Ward (R)*

  • Personal: Ward is married to Robin. They have two children, Kate and Alex, and three grandsons. Ward is a member of the Noblesville First Christian Church, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Legion and Indiana Farm Bureau. He is a life member of the Hamilton County Historical Society, the Noblesville High School Alumni Association, Purdue Alumni Association, National Eagle Scout Association and the National Rifle Association. He also serves as a Republican precinct committeeman.
  • Background: Ward is the incumbent. He is unopposed. He has served as the Hamilton County Surveyor since 1977. He has an associate’s degree in architectural technology, a bachelor’s degree in construction technology, both from Purdue University. He also has a certificate in public management and a Master of Public Affairs, both from Indiana University. He is a 1995 graduate of the DIPLOMA program of the Association of Indiana Counties, a 1995 graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy and a 2014 graduate of the Indiana Watershed Leadership Program. He is a certified floodplain manager, certified erosion sediment and stormwater inspector, certified professional in municipal stormwater management and is a certified inspector of sediment and erosion control.
  • Website: Not provided.

County Commissioner District 2

Steven Dillinger (R)*

  • Personal: Dillinger has been a Noblesville resident since 1959. He is married to Renee and has two daughters, five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is a member of Green Valley Church of Christ and has coached the Noblesville Grinders elementary football travel team for 25 years.
  • Background: Dillinger is the incumbent. He is the longest-serving county commissioner in Indiana. He has served Hamilton County as Commissioner since 1989 and recently won the Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year award in 2019. Professionally, he has owned and operated S. C. Dillinger & Associates Insurance Agency since 1968.
  • Website: stevedillinger.com

Charlie McMillan Jr. (R)

  • Personal: McMillan was born and raised in Noblesville and is married to Betsy Reason. They have a daughter, Addison, 13, and a golden retriever. Rocky. and a Parson Russell terrier, DaisyBelle. His volunteer work consists of past president and board member of Hamilton County Theatre Guild, which operates The Belfry Theatre in Noblesville; volunteer for Noblesville Schools since 2011; advisory committee member for Legacy Keepers Music nonprofit that presents “String-Time on the Square” summer music series at the Hamilton County Courthouse Square; lifetime patron member of National Rifle Association and volunteer for the 2019 NRA Convention in Indianapolis for the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program for kids; member of 2A Project new gun rights organization in Carmel; member of Noblesville Moose Lodge No. 540; member of Noblesville Chamber of Commerce; past board member of Noblesville Eagles Lodge No. 450; member of 1986-88 Indiana State Police Emergency Response team; volunteer role player for Noblesville and Westfield police departments for officer training in police hostage negotiations; 200-plus hours as an airboat pilot and responsible for removing thousands of pounds of tires and trash from White River during White River Cleanup; completion of a Certified Emergency Vehicle Operations Course at Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield; sound and lighting engineer and performed percussion and vocals in the 10-piece show band, Raydio Flyers, and has been a DJ and emcee for local fundraisers.
  • Background: McMillan is a 1981 Noblesville High School graduate. He is an automotive service excellence master automotive technician and shop manager for 35 years at McMillan’s Auto Care & Towing in downtown Noblesville. He is chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Zoning Appeals, South District, and is a member of the Hamilton County Plan Commission Comprehensive Plan Update Committee to help facilitate the county’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan.
  • Website: charliemcmillanjr.com

County Commissioner District 3

Mark Heirbrandt (R)*

  • Personal: Heirbrandt is married to Gina, and they have three sons, Black, Ethan and Evan. Heirbrandt lives in Westfield and has been a Hamilton County resident for nearly 30 years. He is active in the Catholic community and is a member of Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Parish in Westfield. Heirbrandt also helps the Humane Society for Hamilton County.
  • Background: Heirbrandt is the incumbent. He is unopposed. He graduated with a double major in chemistry and biology from the University of Indianapolis. During the past 20 years, he has worked in the water and energy-efficiency business. He has received several awards, such as the Local Government Cooperation Award for Ivy Tech in 2015 and State Road 37 Project in 2016 and the Outstanding Commissioners Award in 2014, among others. He also has been a member of several committees, such as the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Humane Society of Hamilton County and others.
  • Website: markheirbrandt.com

County Council At Large (Pick 3)

Gardiner P. Bink III (D)

Bink did not respond to Current for the election guide. Below is information about him published in a previous story.

  • Personal: Bink is married to Tara, and they have a 2-year-old son, Gardiner IV.
  • Background: Bink graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 2009 and from Xavier University in 2013 with a degree in business administration. He has worked in accounting and as a business consultant but now is a children’s author.
  • Website: Not provided

Rick McKinney (R)*

  • Personal: Married for 38 years with three sons and one grandson. McKinney is a 21-year resident of Westfield and previously lived in Carmel for 10 years. He worked for five years in Fishers.
  • Background: McKinney is an incumbent. He first took office in January 1997. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Butler University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. He spent 20-plus years in financial operations at major corporations and has been a small business owner for 24 years, operating throughout Hamilton County. The main issues he supports are public safety, parks and roads and bridges.
  • Website: rickmckinney.com or Rick McKinney for Hamilton County Council on Facebook

Brad Beaver (R)*

  • Personal: Beaver is married to Trini and has three adult children, Lauren, Tyler and Courtney. He attends White River Church in Noblesville.
  • Background: Beaver is an incumbent. He has coached at the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville and Upwards at White River Church, and he volunteers for the Noblesville Miller Backers. He is a member of EAA Chapter 67 in Noblesville and enjoys flying and working on the restoration of old cars. He graduated from Noblesville High School and studied HVAC at Ivy Tech, then started a heating and air conditioning business in Noblesville.
  • Website: bradbeaver.com or Brad Beaver for County Council on Facebook or Beaver4Council on Instagram.

Sue Maki (R)

  • Personal: Maki is married to Tom Kapostasy and has two grown sons. She has lived in Carmel since 1988. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Carmel and served as president from 2009-2010. She is or has been a board member of the Carmel International Arts Festival, Carmel Historic Preservation Commission, Hamilton County Tourism Commission, the Business Excellence Awards Committee, the PTO at Carmel High School and OneZone Commerce. She was the PTO president at Carmel Middle School. She is a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Association.
  • Background: Maki has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Baldwin-Wallace University and an MBA from Anderson University. She works as the manager of environmental initiatives and education for Carmel Utilities. She supports infrastructure investment, the public safety training facility and cooperative and strategic growth planning with the long-range goal of keeping taxes low.
  • Website: electsuemaki.com

Jeff Hern (R)*

  • Personal: Married to Kathy with three sons, Austin, Max and Jack. The Hern family attends Holy Spirit Parish at Geist. As a volunteer, Hern serves on the 4-H council, Purdue Extension Committee for County, the Ball State Marketing Board of Advisors, the Hamilton Southeastern/Fishers Youth Lacrosse Board and is a county court liaison.
  • Background: Hern is an incumbent. He served as Fall Creek Township trustee for five years and made a big impact by tripling the size of the food pantry, creating a back-to-school backpack program and implementing an adopt-a-family during the holidays, all without using taxpayers’ dollars. He has worked in the food industry for several decades, leading teams at Johnsonville Sausage and Sigma Alimentos. He graduated from Ball State University with a degree in marketing and interpersonal relations.
  • Website: Not provided

Steven Nation (R)

  • Personal: Nation was born in Indianapolis and raised in Beech Grove. He has lived in Noblesville with his wife for 36 years and has a daughter, son-in-law, stepson and grandson. Nation launched the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program and is the board president for Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation.
  • Background: Nation was the first in his family to graduate from college attend law school. He graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, with minors in history and math. He received his J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law. He then was the prosecuting attorny of Hamilton County for four consecutive terms. In 1995, he became Hamilton County Judge and served four terms before retiring in 2018. He received the Person of the Year award from the International Association of Truancy and Dropout Prevention, and in 2018, was presented the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award presented by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
  • Website: nationforcouncil.com

Lyneen Burrow (R)

  • Personal: Burrow lives in Cicero and is married to Brett and has two daughters, Liz and Alyson. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1976.
  • Background: Burrow is president of the Hamilton County 4-H Council and serves on the Hamilton County Extension Board. She also serves on the Summit Lawn Cemetery Board. She is a member of Noblesville Lions Club, Hamilton County Great Banquet Community and White River Christian Church. She formerly served on the Hamilton East Public Library Board. In 1995 to 1996, she was president of Noblesville Intermediate School PTO and volunteered at the school library. She volunteered at Heritage Christian School High School Library from 1997 to 2005, and at Oaks Academy Library from 2016 to 2018, and at IPS School No. 55 from 2018 to present. She is a volunteer at Zionsville Union Elementary School Library. She was chairperson of the Fellowship of Christian Churches program from 1996 to 1997. She was one of eight founders of the Hamilton County Great Banquet Community. She also was a youth group volunteer at First Christian Church and at Northview Church. Burrow opened Always in Stitches in 2007.
  • Website: Not provided.

John Ditslear (R)

  • Personal: Ditslear resides in Noblesville with his wife, Teri. He has a daughter, two sons and eight grandchildren. Ditslear received the Sagamore of the Wabash honor in 2019, is a founding board member and coach for the Noblesville Soccer Club and the Noblesville Swim Club and is a former board member for the Noblesville Boys & Girls Club.
  • Background: Ditslear graduated from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio with a degree in finance. Before serving as mayor of Noblesville, he worked as an insurance professional. He also worked as an underwriter for several years and led the Life Underwriters Association as President. Ditslear has served as precinct committeeman, a township chairman, president of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, a three-term Noblesville School Board member and is a veteran of the United States Navy.
  • Website: johnditslear.com

Tony Scott (R)

Did not respond to multiple requests to be included in the election guide. 


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