Indiana is one to watch in the upcoming primary

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Indiana's voter registration deadline has passed and the primary election is set.

The presidential nominations are in, and President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off again in 2020, but there are still several races of interest to Indiana voters.

At the top of that list is the race to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb. Holcomb has reached his term limit, which means there will definitely be someone new in the governor's mansion.

The only contested race is on the Republican side. Six candidates hope to win the primary and advance to the November election.

Those candidates are U.S. Senator Mike Braun, former Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour.

Typically, presidential elections result in more people voting. This year, Vanderburgh County Clerk Carla Hayden expects voter turnout to be lower.

“In the primary, it usually depends on how relevant Indiana is to that race,” Hayden said. “For example, the top two spots are all but certain, so we will likely see lower voter turnout.”

Hayden says about 43,000 people voted in the 2016 primary election in Vanderburgh County. This year, the nomination was still up for grabs when Indiana voted. Compare that to 19,000 voters who turned out to vote in 2020, when nominations were closed.

Another interesting race takes place in Warrick County. Two of the three county commission seats are up for vote amid controversy surrounding the current commissioners.

[Previous story: All Warrick Co. Commissioners charged with misconduct]

[Previous story: Warrick County Commissioners rack up more than $186K in legal fees]

Here, too, the only contested races in May are on the Republican side. District 1 is awarded to Sarah Millis-Seaton, Rick Reid and Dan Saylor. Saylor is the incumbent and one of the commissioners facing charges.

In District 3, Stacey Franz, incumbent Bob Johnson and Steve Spinks are vying for a spot on the November ballot. Johnson is the other indicted commissioner seeking re-election.

It's now up to Warrick County voters to decide who makes it to the November general election. The primary election will take place on May 7th.

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