Political season opens with candidate filings
GOP, Dem hopefuls and incumbents declare intent to run for office in 2024
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The second floor of the Howard County Courthouse was busy on Jan. 10 as it was the first day to file a declaration of candidacy for the Indiana 2024 primary election season. As the candidates filed paperwork of intent, the mood was nervous, yet festive, for the assembled groups.
Republican Party chairperson Jennifer Jack spoke with some candidates as she fielded questions about what steps the candidates needed to do next after filing. Campaign veterans Martha Lake (incumbent At Large Howard County Council), and Brad Bray (incumbent District 3 Howard County Commissioner), commiserated briefly with the group gathered in front of the Howard County Clerk's office, then were on their way as more candidates entered to file their paperwork.
Announced Howard County Commissioner District 3 candidate Sherry Roe arrived with Howard County Democratic Party chairperson Lisa Washington shortly after and filed her paperwork. If elected in the primary, Roe could face Bray for the commissioner’ seat in November.
Roe, a newcomer to Howard County politics as a candidate, is an author, speaker, and researcher on local environmental issues. Her book, “Profits over People.” tells the story of her parents who contracted rare cancers from working with industrial chemicals at local factories, and the successful class action suit brought against the chemical manufacturers.
When asked what her campaign would focus on Roe said, "I do a lot of environmental work, but there are much bigger issues that have to be fixed before we can address the environment.
Washington was very enthusiastic about the slate of candidates the Democratic Party is fielding in 2024.
"We have a diverse group coming,” said Washington. “Sherry is one of the people we are bringing forward. We have a whole group coming forward, and we are happy with the direction that the Democratic Party is going in Howard County."
According to the Indiana 2024 election calendar, early voting for the primaries will start on April 8, the same day that primary voter registration ends. Indiana Primary Election Day is Tue., May 7.