In the IPR listening area, two sitting mayors lost primary challenges Tuesday last night and the race for Anderson mayor came down to just a few votes.

In Jay County’s Portland, incumbent Republican Mayor John Boggs has lost to challenger Jeff Westlake. Westlake faces former two-term Portland Mayor Democrat Randy Geesaman in November.

In Blackford County’s Montpelier, incumbent Republican Kathy Bantz has been defeated in her bid for a fourth term. No Democrat filed to run, so the local Democratic party can caucus to name someone to face Republican Brad Neff this fall.

And in Anderson, two competitive primaries saw six people run for the mayor’s seat.  Incumbent Democratic Mayor Thomas Broderick, Jr. bested his opponents by 32 votes to continue to seek a third term.  In the GOP race, Anderson City Councilman Jon Bell won with just four votes over his closest opponent.

More Mayor’s Races

In Muncie, incumbent Republican Mayor Dan Ridenour handily survived a primary challenge.  He’ll face Muncie City Council president Democrat Jeff Robinson in November.

In Marion, Republican Ronald Morrell, Jr. will be on the fall ballot with incumbent Democrat Jess Alumbaugh, who is seeking a third term.

In Dunkirk, Republican Jay Miller has won the race to challenge Democratic incumbent Mayor Jack Robbins in November.

Muncie Incumbent Councilman Unseated

In a three-way Democratic race for Muncie City Council District 6, incumbent councilman Roger Overbey received the least amount of votes, at about 15 percent.  Overbey was appointed to his seat to finish the term of Anitra Davis.  He’s part of a council that’s currently majority-appointed after a retirement and several resignations.

In November, Harold Mason, Jr. will be the Democratic nominee in District 6.  He’ll face Republican Kyle Temple.

Voter Turnout

Municipal primary elections have historically had the lowest turnouts in Indiana.  In 2019’s contest, it was 13 percent of registered voters statewide.  And with only a few contested races in most IPR-area counties, turnout numbers were even smaller.

In Delaware County and Grant County with contested mayoral primaries, about 9 percent and about 7 percent, respectively, cast ballots.

Randolph County didn’t have any mayoral contests.  With four council races, the turnout was 7 percent.

Madison County had the greatest number of contested races and 17 percent of voters showed up.  And still, the GOP mayoral primary came down to four votes.

Results from other races in six counties can be found on our website.