by 

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County Democrats have discarded the names of Jefferson and Jackson for their annual county dinner and rally. This year the event will be called the Triple J Dinner. The name comes from the first name initials of the party’s state ticket: Jim Harper, candidate for Secretary of State; John Aguilera, running for state treasurer and Joselyn Whittaker, for auditor.

The three will all be speaking at the dinner July 21 at the Carmel American Legion Post 155. They will oppose Republican incumbents who currently hold the three Statehouse offices.

The name of the dinner party is being changed because party leaders believe political correctness dictates the names of former presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson should no longer be used because both men were slave owners. Next year another more permanent name will be chosen for the event.

Meanwhile, as the deadline arrived for filing Democratic candidates, County Chairman Joe Weingarten reported the names of four township candidates added to the party ticket. The political party has the right to appoint candidates when none filed for an office in the primary election.

David Russ will be running against incumbent Republican Douglas Callahan for Clay Township Trustee. Marie DeMore was named a candidate for Noblesville Township Board, Rachna Greulach will run for the Fall Creek Township Board and Janet Scearce is a candidate for the Jackson Township Board.

In countywide races, most Republican candidates will be elected without opposition in November. Democrats are running Jason Straw for sheriff against Republican nominee Dennis Quakenbush, and Rosemary Dunkle for county commissioner against incumbent Christine Altman. Weingarten candidly noted his party has a very tough time getting candidates to run for major office in Hamilton County due to the well-known Republican political tradition.