When Democrats outnumber Republicans in any part of public life in Hamilton County, it is time to take notice.  That is just what happened Tuesday night when the Hamilton County League of Women Voters sponsored a candidate forum for county office hopefuls at the Noblesville City Hall.

There are two County Commissioner seats up for grabs this election cycle.  Republican incumbents Steve Dillinger from District 2 and Mark Heirbrandt in District 3 were both no-shows at this event.  Their Democrat opponents, Marie DeMore in District 2 and Debra Jarvis in District 3, were both participants in the League Forum.

In the race for 3 at-large County Council seats, only two of the seven candidates on the ballot were on the dais for the forum, both Democrats,  Rosemary Dunkle and Bob Williams.  Democrat Edward Chu and Libertarian Dorn Brenton were missing.

The three council candidates nominated for the Republican Party – Brad Beaver, Jeff Hern and Rick McKinney, were all no-shows.

The only Republicans to participate in the forum were Robin Mills, running for  Auditor, and judge hopeful Jon Brown.  There is no Democrat running for the judgeship, but independent candidate for judge Steve Kincaid participated in the the forum

Other Democrats in the forum were Surveyor candidate Joe Weingarten and Mark Bailey for the office of Treasurer.

Pat Otten, Democrat candidate for Auditor, was not at the forum.

Other Republicans not in attendance included Surveyor Kenton Ward and Treasurer Jennifer Templeton.

The discussion among the candidates was lively and informative.  The Democrats emphasized the fact that voters in Hamilton County will, in this election cycle, for the first time in a very long time, have a choice of candidates in the general election.

Each hopeful talked about their qualifications and how they would handle their offices differently.

But the most telling fact about this forum was not what was said by those that were there….more important is the obvious fact of those choosing not to attend.