April 29, 2022

More Statehouse incumbents in competitive primaries than any election since 2008

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There are 26 Indiana House or Senate races that include at least one incumbent this year. That’s the most since 2008, when there were 28. - WFIU-WTIU

There are 26 Indiana House or Senate races that include at least one incumbent this year. That’s the most since 2008, when there were 28.

WFIU-WTIU

More Indiana Statehouse lawmakers face primary challenges this year than any election in more than a decade.

There are 26 Indiana House or Senate races that include at least one incumbent in Tuesday's primary election. That’s the most since 2008, when there were 28.

A few of those contested seats feature two incumbents – something that’s not unusual after a redistricting year. And most of the incumbent challenges are on the Republican side – again, not that unusual in such a GOP-dominated state.

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Incumbent losses in the primary aren’t common in Indiana. There’s typically no more than one or two per election.

There are no statewide election results to watch Tuesday night – the U.S. Senate primaries are uncontested between incumbent U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Democratic challenger Tom McDermott.

There are three other statewide elected positions on the ballot this fall: secretary of state, auditor and treasurer. But the candidates for those races are chosen at the state political party conventions several weeks from now.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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