This is a second diary in a series of posts about the 2018 election for the Indiana State House. The first one can be found here.
One thing that has always bothered me as a political junkie is the lack of information on important stuff, like which State Senate seats are up in each election. So I went and made a map of the seats that are up in 2018. Democrats are only defending 3, while the GOP is defending 22. Plenty of room for growth, but of course it is heavily gerrymandered. I think there are at least 9 of these that should be in play for 2018. Thanks to Daily Kos Elections for providing the Presidential vote for Indiana’s legislative districts.
11 (north of S Bend and Elkhart) — 39-56 Drumpf. Dems have a candidate: Ed Liptrap
15 (Fort Wayne) 42- 53 Drumpf. Dems have a candidate here, a teacher named Kathy Zoucha.
22 (Lafayette) 45- 48 Drumpf. In a positive move, Democrat Sherry Shipley dropped down from the US House race to run in this district, which should be within reach.
26 (Madison and Delaware counties) 30- 65 Drumpf, but a good portion of the district has supported Democrats in the past, and the seat is open. Current State Rep Melanie Wright represents a good portion of the district. Dems currently have a candidate in Anderson Fire Chief Dave Craven.
29 (NW Indy, won by Clinton in 2016) 53-41 Clinton. The top target in 2018. Let’s remove Mike Delph and elect JD Ford.
31 (Indy/Fishers) 46-49 Drumpf. Dems have an interesting candidate, the President of the Indiana Young Democrats Derek Camp. Seat is currently held by long-time incumbent Jim Merritt.
38 (Terre Haute) 37- 59 Drumpf
45 (Rural SE Indiana) Drumpf 66-30, but area has supported Democrats in the past, including current Minority Leader Rep Terry Goodin. I can’t find a Democrat running here yet, but the incumbent is retiring.
46 (New Albany and Jeffersonville) 41- 52 Drumpf. Dems have a very active candidate, Anna Murray.
Another interesting candidate that I have to link is running in the 17th district. Gary Snyder, a veteran who hosts the progressive Indiana Talks radio show out of Huntington. His campaign is throwing some hail mary passes, and why not? Cold beer on Sunday as a campaign issue might sound weird to the other 49 states, but it’s worth a shot in Indiana. Drumpf won this district 70-24. Change the conversation.
Hopefully the Dems will field a full slate of candidates in 2018. Give everyone an option, and a voice. My guess is that at least a few of the tougher seats will be unchallenged, though.