Vanderburgh County Commission President, Republican Justin Elpers filed his candidacy at the Election Division earlier this month, with no Democrat challenger filing by deadline.
There are now eight uncontested races at the county and state level, mainly held by Republicans. Examples include Prosecuting Attorney Diana Moers, James Raben and Tom Shetler Jr. on the County Council. Democratic State Rep Alex Burton, district 78, is unchallenged so far by a Republican.
Elpers said he’s running again to help the county prosper.
“I got kids in high school that are going to be making decisions on a career path and I want this county to be prosperous so they stay here, live here, work here, and raise a family here,” he said.
County Clerk Dottie Thomas said there’s still a way to add someone to the ballot.
“(Interested candidates) would have to contact their party, and the party is available to hold a caucus to add someone to a ballot, and they have until July to do that,” she said.
The county Democrats are still actively recruiting challengers for this seat — though successfully adding candidates is rare.
More common is having a candidate disqualified from running.
Residents and political parties can challenge candidates, their cases heard at the February 24 Election Board meeting.
Failing the residency requirement is one way to be removed, along with not voting in the two prior party primaries the candidate is running for.
Thomas expects both parties will argue against candidates and some will win.
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More 2026 election stories, some with video, can be seen here