Despite numerous key races with statewide and local implications, voter turnout was notably low in Lake County during Indiana’s primary election. Only 11.45% of the county’s 362,561 registered voters cast ballots.
Gary voters faced multiple contested races, including a crowded Republican governor’s race and several state Senate and House seats that could significantly affect their representation. Here is a detailed visualization of how each contested race impacting Gary voters concluded.
Former President Donald Trump significantly outperformed former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley among voters in Lake County. Despite withdrawing from the election, Haley’s name remained on the ballot, where she received 2,357 votes to Trump’s 14,362.
Trump will now face President Joe Biden in November’s election.
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun emerged from a crowded field to secure the Republican nomination for governor. He will face Democratic candidate Jennifer McCormick in November’s election. In Lake County, Braun led with 9,775 votes, followed by Suzanne Crouch with 3,465 votes. Brad Chambers received 2,016 votes, Eric Doden 579, Jamie Reitenour 410, and Curtis Hill 400.
Braun will face Democratic candidate Jennifer McCormick in November.
Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer defeated incumbent State Sen. David Vinzant. Spencer received 6,417 votes to Vinzant’s 3,387. Vinzant was appointed via caucus following Eddie Melton’s departure from the state Senate. Spencer will face Republican candidate Will Miller in November’s election.
Miller received 1,157 votes, defeating Maya Angelou Brown, who received 684 votes. Miller will face Democratic nominee Spencer in November’s election.
Incumbent Ragen Hatcher secured re-election with 2,876 votes, defeating challenger attorney Heather McCarthy, who received 2,247 votes.
Randy Niemeyer won the Republican nomination with 10,444 votes in Lake County, outpacing Mark Leyva, who received 3,644 votes, and Ben Ruiz, who received 1,853 votes. Niemeyer will challenge U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, in November’s election.
Valerie McCray received 12,857 votes to secure nomination for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Mike Braun. Her opponent Marc Carmichael secured 6,964 votes. McCray will face Republican Jim Banks in November’s general election.
Bill Emerson Jr. won the election decisively, receiving 14,747 votes and defeating Reginald Tisdale, who received 6,968 votes.
Incumbent David Pastrick Jr. outlasted Danielle Carter and Elizabeth Ann-Marie (Beth) Hmurovic with 10,168 total votes. Carter and Hmurovic received 8,651 and 3,561 votes respectively. Pastrick will face Republican candidate Andrew Delano in the general election in November.
Michael Repay won a crowded race for the District 3 County Commissioner seat with 4,670 votes. His nearest opponent, Alfredo (AI) Menchaca received 1,750 votes. Candidates Matthew J. Celestin and Richard A. Deleon received 469 and 391 votes respectively. Repay will face Republican candidate Kimberly Poland in the November election.
Unopposed candidates
State Representative District 14
Democrat Vernon G. Smith and Republican Ivan Ursery II both ran unopposed in their respective primaries and will face each other in the general election in November.
State Senator District 2
Lonnie M. Randolph ran unopposed in the District 2 race for state Senate. No Republican ran for the seat.
County Recorder
Democrat Regina Pimentel ran unopposed in the primary and will run unopposed in November.
State Representative District 1
Democrat Carolyn Jackson ran unopposed for the District 1 seat and will be unchallenged in November.
