Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane prepares to file paperwork to run for another term as sheriff at the Bartholomew County Clerk’s Office in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
By Andy East | The Republic
aeast@therepublic.com
Candidate filings for the 2026 primary got off to a fast start Wednesday morning, with 13 people filing to run for the Republican nomination for a variety of county offices.
The Republican primary for Bartholomew County Council District 4 became the first contested race so far this year, with Bartholomew County Treasurer Barb Hackman and Rick Miller both filing to run for the GOP nomination. Republican Jorge Morales currently holds the District 4 seat.
Republican Greg Patterson, who currently holds the Bartholomew County Council District 1 seat, filed for re-election, while Republican Mark Gorbett also filed to run for another term representing Bartholomew County Council District 3.
Mark Bense filed for the Republican nomination for Bartholomew County Council District 2. The District 2 seat is currently held by Republican Leah Beyer.
Bartholomew County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop, Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane, Bartholomew County Assessor Ginny Whipple and Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz also filed for re-election on the GOP ticket.
Additionally, Debra Beck Settle filed to run for the GOP nomination for Bartholomew County Recorder, while R.J. Burton filed to run for the Republican nomination for Wayne Township Advisory Board.
Kris K. Weisner, current Columbus Township Trustee is seeking the Republican nomination for the trustee position.
No Democrats had filed to run in any of the races in the 2026 primary as of midday Wednesday.
