Democrat Dee Thornton Will Run for Indiana's 5th District Again

Democrat Dee Thornton will run to represent Indiana’s 5th Congressional district in 2020.

Republican Representative Susan Brooks will vacate the seat at the end of this term.

The district includes the north side of Indianapolis as well as its eastern and northern suburbs, including Marion, Carmel, Anderson, Noblesville, Fishers, and parts of Kokomo. This suburban district is the wealthiest congressional district in Indiana, per median income.

Thornton previously ran against Brooks in a race for the 5th district in 2018, losing to Brooks by just under 53,000 votes, the best showing for a Democrat since the district was drawn in 2002.

Thornton is running on a platform to preserve the Affordable Care Act, support public schools, and expand broadband access and other infrastructure projects in rural areas.

Recent Democratic gains in suburban areas has fueled speculation that Indiana’s 5th Congressional District may not be as safe for Republicans as in previous years.

The retirement of Brooks will likely bring a contested primary field for both Democrats and Republicans.

Thornton is expected to officially announce her campaign for the seat at an event on July 15th in Westfield. She is the first candidate for either party to announce she is running.