Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz, left, helps Barb Hackman file her paperwork to run for Bartholomew County Council District 4 at the Bartholomew County Clerk’s Office in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
Candidate filings for the 2026 primary got off to a fast start this week, with several people filing to run for the Republican or Democratic nomination for a variety of federal, state and local offices by midday Friday.
Filing officially opened Wednesday and will continue through Feb. 6, according to the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office. The primary in Indiana is May 5.
At the federal level, Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Ind., filed to run for a second term representing Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District. Shreve, who lives in Indianapolis, is seeking the GOP nomination in the 2026 primary. As of midday Friday, Shreve did not yet have any challengers for the GOP nomination.
David Boyd of Indianapolis filed to run for the Democratic nomination for Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District.
Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District includes most of Bartholomew County, all of Johnson County, among other counties.
Bradley Meyer of Bloomington and Keil Roark of Sellersburg filed to run for the Democratic nomination for Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind.
Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District includes a slice of southwestern Bartholomew County, as well as all of Jackson, Jennings and Brown counties, among other counties.
At the state level, Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, and Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland, have filed for the Republican nomination for the Indiana Senate District 41 seat. Bartholomew County Democratic Party Chair Ross Thomas has filed to run for Democratic nomination for the seat.
Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, filed for re-election in Indiana House District 59.
Chris Bowen filed to run for the Democratic nomination for Indiana House District 69. Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, currently holds the seat.
At the local level, several Republicans also filed for re-election, including Bartholomew Superior Court 2 Judge Jon Rohde, Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane, Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz, Bartholomew County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop, Bartholomew County Council District 1 member Greg Patterson, Bartholomew County Council District 3 member Mark Gorbett and Bartholomew County Assessor Ginny Whipple.
Bartholomew County Treasurer Barb Hackman and Rick Miller filed for the Republican nomination for Bartholomew County Council District 4. Republican Jorge Morales currently holds the seat and is not seeking re-election.
In the GOP primary, Kris Weisner filed for Columbus Township trustee, Vickie E. Michael for Bartholomew County auditor, Debra K. Beck Settle for Bartholomew County recorder, Sandy Beatty for Bartholomew County treasurer and Mark Bense for Bartholomew County Council District 2.
