Early voting guide: Central Indiana Senate races
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Half of Indiana's Senate seats are on the ballot this year — including four compelling races in Central Indiana.
State of play: Early voting is underway for the May primary as we break down key races on your ballot.
The intrigue: There are more contested GOP primaries for the state Senate this year, with 10 of the 21 Republicans who voted against President Trump's redistricting plan up for reelection.
- A few have stepped aside, but others are fighting off challengers.
Senate District 21 (Westfield to Kokomo): A longtime Republican stronghold now has a rare GOP primary.
- Incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Buck has a primary challenger for the first time since he took office in 2008. He was among the 21 Senate Republicans who voted against redistricting.
- Trump has endorsed Tipton County Commissioner Tracey Powell in the race.
- Joseph Kazlas and Kirsten Root are running in the Democratic primary.
Senate District 29 (west Carmel, Zionsville and west side of Indianapolis): Vacated by Democrat J.D. Ford, who is running for Congress in the 5th District, the open seat has drawn a crowded field.
- Ford flipped the district from Republican Mike Delph in 2018.
- Delph is seeking the seat again, facing another former state senator, John Ruckelshaus, and V. Roni Ford in the GOP primary.
- The Democratic primary includes pastor and Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis leader David W. Greene Sr., Demetrice Hicks, Kristina Moorhead and Kevin Short.
Senate District 31 (Fishers to Geist Reservoir region): One of the state Senate's few competitive districts is open after incumbent Kyle Walker, another Republican who voted against redistricting, decided not to run again.
- Juanita Albright, Tiffanie Ditlevson, Travis Hankins and Jan Kepley Keefer are seeking the GOP nomination.
- Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal is leading the field of Democrats looking to flip the seat, followed by Andrew Dezelan, Lasima Packett and Catherine Torzewski.
Senate District 46 (downtown, south and near-east Indianapolis): A reliably Democratic district with no Republican candidates, which means the primary is the race that matters here.
- It's being vacated by Democrat Andrea Hunley, who is expected to announce a run for mayor next year.
- Three Democrats are running in the open race, including Indianapolis Public Schools Commissioner Allissa Impink, perennial candidate and activist Clif Marsiglio, and 25-year-old first-time candidate Sam Glynn.
What's next: Early voting runs through May 4, with Election Day on May. 5.