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Early voting guide: Central Indiana congressional races

Crowded primary races are where we'll see the most contentious fights.

Election

Early voting for the May primary election has started, so there&#x27;s no time like the present to learn what&#x27;s on your ballot.Why it matters: Primaries typically see lower turnout than general elections, even though they&#x27;re often where the more contentious races take place.State of play: Early voting has begun in Marion County at the City-County Building, with more locations opening on April 25.<ul><li>Indiana has an open primary, which means voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot without registering as a member of that party.</li></ul>Zoom in: We&#x27;re breaking down what&#x27;s on your ballot this week — starting with congressional races.<ul><li>The secretary of state race tops the ticket this year, but primary voters won&#x27;t weigh in — parties choose those candidates at conventions.</li></ul>Why they matter: Party control in these districts is unlikely to flip, so the most meaningful competition is happening now.<ul><li>Aside from responsibilities like filing legislation and voting on bills, there&#x27;s a lot of latitude in what your congressional representative may (or may not) do for you — from constituent services to securing federal funding for local projects.</li><li>Constituent services include things such as helping folks access federal benefits like Social Security and Medicaid, assisting with passport issues and hosting job fairs.</li></ul>4th District: A crowded primary field is testing the strength of 80-year-old incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Baird.<ul><li>On the Republican side, Baird is seeking the Republican nomination for the fifth time as state Rep. Craig Haggard is mounting a stiff challenge, alongside John Piper.</li><li>The eight Democrats on the ballot are Drew Cox, Roger D. Day, Darin Patrick Griesey, Thomas D. Hall Jr., Joe Mackey, Jayden McCash, Paul McPherson and John Phillip Whetstone.</li></ul>5th District: While this district was redrawn after the 2020 census to be safer for Republicans, it could be closer than the last few cycles. <ul><li>Incumbent U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz is seeking a fourth term after winning reelection in 2024. She&#x27;s expected to win her primary challenge over Scott A. King.</li><li>State Sen. J.D. Ford, the first openly gay member of the Indiana General Assembly, is leading a pack of seven Democratic candidates: Steven Avit, Jackson Franklin, Phil Goss, Dylan McKenna, Tara Nelson, and Deborah Pickett, whom Spartz beat in the 2024 general election.</li></ul>6th District: A potential rematch is taking shape after a lopsided result in 2024.<ul><li>Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve is seeking a second term, being challenged in the Republican primary by homeschool advocate Sarah Janisse Brown.</li><li>Cinde Wirth, who won the Democratic primary in 2024 but lost by a wide margin in the general election, is trying again. Her primary challengers are William Amyx, Nicholas Baker and David Boyd.</li></ul>7th District: Nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. André Carson faces his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toughest primary test" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/05/16/george-hornedo-andre-carson-7th-district" data-vars-content-id="ff3e0d76-4b5b-4235-b43d-8a410c95790e" data-vars-headline="Early voting guide: Central Indiana congressional races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/05/16/george-hornedo-andre-carson-7th-district" target="_self">toughest primary test</a> in nearly two decades, as a wave of challengers looks to shake up long-held seats. <ul><li>Destiny Wells, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 2024 and secretary of state in 2022, George Hornedo and Denise Paul Hatch are challenging Carson in the primary. </li><li>While the seat is considered safe for Democrats, two Republicans — Patrick McAuley and Felipe Rios — are vying for a spot on the November ballot.</li></ul>If you go: Early voting hours are 8am–5pm on weekdays through April 24. They&#x27;ll extend to 6pm from April 27–May 1.<ul><li>Weekend hours at 11am–6pm.</li><li>The final day to vote early is Monday, May 4. Voting that day is open from 8am–noon.</li><li>Election Day is May 5.</li></ul>

Indy road construction ramps up alongside resident frustration

Daily life in the Circle City is being disrupted as multiple projects hit their peak across the metro.

News

Indianapolis&#x27; 2026 road construction season is in full swing, promising safer streets and overdue infrastructure upgrades.Why it matters: That push for progress is disrupting daily life, detouring drivers and disrupting businesses in some of our most prominent neighborhoods as multiple projects reach their peak simultaneously across the metro.

More Hoosier girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles

Indiana is one of the states bringing more women and girls to the gridiron.

Girls flag football is growing rapidly across the U.S. — and Indiana is contributing to its rise.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sport&#x27;s expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/17/more-women-are-playing-football" data-vars-content-id="14ffd165-a9a7-4fa3-b268-430a2b96e7a7" data-vars-headline="More Hoosier girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/17/more-women-are-playing-football" target="_self">sport&#x27;s expansion</a> across high school, college and pro levels creates new pathways for female athletes.

Indiana small businesses see growth as nationwide optimism falls

The national economy is signaling growing unease over rising inflation and the Iran war.

Indiana leaders are celebrating a strong start to 2026 for local entrepreneurs, even as economic stress weighs on small-business owners across the country.Why it matters: Falling optimism scores nationwide signal growing unease over rising inflation and the war in Iran, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Early voting guide: Indianapolis-area House races

Several long-serving Democrats are facing primary challengers.

Several local officeholders are looking to unseat one of the House Democrats&#x27; longest-serving members.Why it matters: The winner of the primary to represent Lawrence at the Statehouse will most likely be uncontested in November, so your chance to weigh in is now.

Early voting guide: Central Indiana Senate races

Four central Indiana Senate seats are on the ballot.

Half of Indiana&#x27;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 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="break down key races" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/04/13/early-voting-guide-central-indiana-congressional-races" data-vars-content-id="41a1f747-bfe7-46cd-93e7-2bdf68c79656" data-vars-headline="Early voting guide: Central Indiana Senate races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/04/13/early-voting-guide-central-indiana-congressional-races" target="_self">break down key races</a> on your ballot.

Old News: Marion County's first election

The county's first clerk, recorder, associate judges and commissioners were elected 204 years ago today.

On this day 204 years ago, more than 300 people hit the polls for Marion County&#x27;s first election.Driving the (old) news: On April 1, 1822, Hoosiers elected the county&#x27;s first clerk, recorder, associate judges and commissioners from a pool of 32 candidates.

Indiana Democrats look for candidates to fill 2026 ballot

If they can flip four House seats, Democrats would break out of the superminority.

Recruiting high-quality candidates and ensuring Hoosier voters have choices on their 2026 ballots are the top priorities for Indiana Democratic Party chair Karen Tallian, she tells Axios.Why it matters: Should Indiana <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="move forward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/12/indiana-redistricting-braun-gop-maps-trump-vance" data-vars-content-id="f466b9a7-47f3-4d36-9d18-c751e0596fe6" data-vars-headline="Indiana Democrats look for candidates to fill 2026 ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/12/indiana-redistricting-braun-gop-maps-trump-vance" target="_self">move forward</a> with redrawing its congressional maps, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/20/texas-democrats-redistricting-gerrymandering-trump" data-vars-content-id="f466b9a7-47f3-4d36-9d18-c751e0596fe6" data-vars-headline="Indiana Democrats look for candidates to fill 2026 ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/20/texas-democrats-redistricting-gerrymandering-trump" target="_self">Texas</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/21/california-newsom-redistricting-democrats-texas-republicans" data-vars-content-id="f466b9a7-47f3-4d36-9d18-c751e0596fe6" data-vars-headline="Indiana Democrats look for candidates to fill 2026 ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/21/california-newsom-redistricting-democrats-texas-republicans" target="_self">California</a> are currently doing, Democrats don&#x27;t have enough seats to block the action.<ul><li>If they can flip four seats in the House, they&#x27;d be able to break the quorum and stop Republicans from taking unilateral action on contentious issues like redistricting in the future.</li></ul>

Indiana's shifting political winds, in 3 graphics

Indiana moved red, and our analysis shows just how much.

The election&#x27;s red tide crashed into Indiana, erasing the gains made by Democrats in 2020, an exclusive Axios analysis finds.Why it matters: A deeper look at voting trends shows that while Indiana shifted left in 2020, the state shifted back Tuesday, moving even farther right than it was in 2016 when President-elect Trump was first elected.

Indiana Republicans celebrate being first state called for Trump

It's clear who Hoosiers want in the White House.

Indiana was the first state on the board for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" data-vars-content-id="d6a503a2-60c6-467d-8988-7f176b684b7e" data-vars-headline="Indiana Republicans celebrate being first state called for Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" target="_self">former President Trump</a> Tuesday night, awarding him his first 11 electoral college votes in the race for 270 and the presidency.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="d6a503a2-60c6-467d-8988-7f176b684b7e" data-vars-headline="Indiana Republicans celebrate being first state called for Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> will be the 47th U.S. president, the Associated Press projected on Wednesday, marking the culmination of a divisive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" data-vars-content-id="d6a503a2-60c6-467d-8988-7f176b684b7e" data-vars-headline="Indiana Republicans celebrate being first state called for Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" target="_self">campaign</a> and cementing himself as one of the most significant political figures in U.S. history.<ul><li>Trump&#x27;s victory was buoyed by strong performances across several key battleground states, including North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.</li></ul>

Republican Jim Banks helps GOP maintain Indiana's congressional seats

Banks won the U.S. Senate seat and Republicans maintained seven of the state's nine U.S. House seats.

Republicans continued their domination in congressional races led by Rep. Jim Banks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="who won Indiana&#x27;s open U.S. Senate seat by 20 points." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/06/republican-jim-banks-wins-indianas-us-senate-race" data-vars-content-id="6179d301-5778-4941-8d88-16a791a447f3" data-vars-headline="Republican Jim Banks helps GOP maintain Indiana&#x27;s congressional seats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/06/republican-jim-banks-wins-indianas-us-senate-race" target="_self">who won Indiana&#x27;s open U.S. Senate seat by 20 points.</a>Driving the news: Banks had 59% of the vote at 6am Wednesday, with 88% of the state reporting, to beat Democrat Valerie McCray.<ul><li>Republicans also maintained seven of the state&#x27;s nine U.S. House seats.</li></ul>

Indiana Republicans sweep statewide races

Republican control of the Hoosier state was cemented Tuesday night.

Republicans cemented their control of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indiana politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/05/indiana-on-election-day-live-results" data-vars-content-id="c8b69604-93ff-4a2e-a8d5-e65f69a3171d" data-vars-headline="Indiana Republicans sweep statewide races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/05/indiana-on-election-day-live-results" target="_self">Indiana politics</a> on Tuesday night.Why it matters: The slate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Braun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/06/republican-mike-braun-wins-indiana-governors-race" data-vars-content-id="c8b69604-93ff-4a2e-a8d5-e65f69a3171d" data-vars-headline="Indiana Republicans sweep statewide races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/06/republican-mike-braun-wins-indiana-governors-race" target="_self">Mike Braun</a>, Micah Beckwith and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Todd Rokita" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/06/republican-todd-rokita-wins-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="c8b69604-93ff-4a2e-a8d5-e65f69a3171d" data-vars-headline="Indiana Republicans sweep statewide races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/06/republican-todd-rokita-wins-attorney-general" target="_self">Todd Rokita</a> almost certainly drives Indiana policy further to the right as the state begins its third decade of Republican rule.

Republican Todd Rokita wins reelection for attorney general

Rokita is expected to continue to use the office to push on hot-button issues.

Republican Todd Rokita has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reelected attorney general" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/05/indiana-on-election-day-live-results" data-vars-content-id="6f295c2d-f0b7-46b8-9087-49613bb2056b" data-vars-headline="Republican Todd Rokita wins reelection for attorney general" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2024/11/05/indiana-on-election-day-live-results" target="_self">reelected attorney general</a>, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: Rokita fought off a challenge from Democrat Destiny Wells, ensuring another four years of courting controversy while in office.

Election 🗳️

Early voting guide: Indianapolis-area House races

Early voting guide: Central Indiana Senate races

Early voting guide: Central Indiana congressional races

Old News: Marion County's first election

Indiana Democrats look for candidates to fill 2026 ballot