by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter 

(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)

County Republicans are planning a Fall Dinner on September 19, which will serve as something of a kickoff to the November election campaign.  Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch
will speak at the rally to be held at the 502 East Event Center in Carmel.

Generally, our purely local elections fail to stir much interest in Hamilton County where a Republican win, often unopposed by Democrats, can be anticipated. This year, however, Democrats claim to be planning a new effort in selected city council races in Fishers, Noblesville and Carmel. They have yet to announce specific plans or events.

Republicans, aware of the intentions, are not taking these races for granted, and will mount a campaign of their own. County C h a i r w o m a n Laura Campbell said volunteers
will be sought in coming days to organize a campaign including door-to-door contact with voters.

Behind this action by both parties is the unknown effect of the ‘Trump Factor.’ While Trump carried the county easily in 2016, there were areas of the county where he did not do as well as Republicans are generally expected to do.

Whether his performance since that election will help or hurt the party is an unknown. Democrats feel it will help them; Republicans hope it won’t, and say it should have
nothing to do with local election issues.

The upcoming November election involves only municipal offices of mayor, city clerk, city judge and city council. Since GOP candidates for the top job of mayor in Noblesville, Fishers, Carmel and Westfield have no Democratic opponents, a very light vote is possible. Residents living inside city limits get to vote while voters in unincorporated areas will have no election this year.