Vanderburgh Democrats bring several challengers to GOP-controlled county, state, national seats

WNIN | By Tim Jagielo

Published February 5, 2026 at 7:12 PM CST

Vanderburgh County Democrats pose for a photo a candidacy filing event at the Vanderburgh County Civic Center Elections Office, Tuesday, Feb. 3. From left is Sally Busby, candidate for District 76 state representative, Cindi Clayton, State Senate District 49 candidate, Mary Allen, District 8 U.S. Representative Candidate and Logan Patberg, candidate for District 78 state representative. — Vanderburgh County Democrats pose for a photo a candidacy filing event at the Vanderburgh County Civic Center Elections Office, Tuesday, Feb. 3. From left is Sally Busby, candidate for District 78 state representative, Cindi Clayton, State Senate District 49 candidate, Mary Allen, District 8 U.S. Representative Candidate and Logan Patberg, candidate for District 76 state representative.

Vanderburgh GOP, Democrats, busy working to get their candidates elected in 2026 — the dominating Vanderburgh County Republican party will focus on keeping their candidates in office, Dems will focus on unseating some incumbents

Republican Council Council Member James Raben, District 1, files for his candidacy at the county level in January. He's a longtime member with 30 years as finance chairman. So far, he doesn't have a Democratic or primary challenger. — Republican County Council Member James Raben, District 1, files for his candidacy at the county level in January. He's a longtime member with 30 years as finance chairman. So far, he doesn't have a Democratic or primary challenger.

Election 2026: Vanderburgh County Political party strategies

Most local seats up for election in 2026 are held by Republicans, which dominates elected county and statewide positions.

The only Democratic incumbents at the county level are Sheriff Noah Robinson, Nick Iaccorino, County Council District 3. State Rep. Alex Burton needs to run for his seat. None are challenged so far by new Republicans.

County Republican Party Chairman Kyhle Moers said the incumbent strategy for the 2026 primary and general election, is to “hold the line.”

“They're going to continue to do the things that they do, like knock on doors, send out their mail and make their phone calls to voters, just to kind of let everybody know, 'hey, I'm running this year,’” he said. “And then as the General (Election) comes along, I think that strategies will depend on whether or not they have a challenger.”

Normally, midterm elections like the one this year bring losses for the party in power — something Moers said county Republicans usually avoid.

“I don't know that we're going to see the same trends that might take hold nationally in our local elections,” he said.

Gina Robinson Ungar is the Democratic candidate Knight Township advisory board, challenging a seated Republican.

As of this report, county Democrats have six challengers to elected township, county, statewide and US Republican seats. While Republicans will work to keep incumbents, Democrats are working aggressively to unseat them.

“This is the first time I've had six people indicate they wanted to run for office six months before they could even file,” County Democratic Party Chair Cheryl Schultz said. “They've started knocking doors, they've been raising money, and they've been very engaged in getting to know their voters.”

Schultz places extra importance on these midterms, and learning about candidates. "I think our democracy is at stake," she said. "I think we need to be informed and well educated and very active in maintaining that, starting from the local elections all the way to the federal elections."

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