This week we're previewing races for the May 3 Indiana primary election.
U.S. House of Representatives: District 9 (R)
Republican Robert Hall is a manufacturing executive and consultant with more than 30 years of experience. Hall has previously served as the state chairman of the Young Republicans. He is the founder and editor of Grassroots Conservatives eNews and coordinates the Monroe County Patriots. He is the president of his local homeowner's association.
Republican Trey Hollingsworth has never worked in government or for a political campaign, and says he is not a politician. He started HCP, a company that rehabilitated abandoned warehouses and manufacturing sites in Indiana and across the country. Later, he started an aluminum re-manufacturing operation that provides for over 100 families. He is married and lives in Jeffersonville.
Republican Erin Houchin currently represents the 47th district in the Indiana Senate, where she was elected in 2014. She has served on four committees during her term. She is a graduate of Indiana University and George Washington University. Houchin was endorsed by Indiana Right to Life and the National Rifle Association during her 2014 campaign. She is married and has three children.
Republican Brent Waltz currently represents the 36th district in the Indiana Senate, where he was first elected in 2004. Waltz serves on three committees. He has previously served as the President of the Johnson County Council. He is a graduate of Wabash College. He is one of four founders of the Wabash Commentary, a conservative magazine in publication for over 20 years.
Republican Greg Zoeller currently serves as the Indiana Attorney General, a role he has held since 2008, and before that served as chief deputy in the Attorney General's office. He is a graduate of Purdue University and Indiana University School of Law. Zoeller has served as the legislative and political counsel to then-Senator Dan Quayle. He is married and has three children.
U.S. House of Representatives: District 9 (D)
Democrat Bob Kern ran for U.S. House in the 2nd District in 2014 and ran for U.S. House in the 7th District in 2012. He was defeated in the primary election both years. Kern's platform includes clean energy, national security, creating jobs by reducing government interference, and affordable education.
Democrat James R. McClure Jr. ran for the Democratic nomination in the 9th District in 2014, and was defeated in the primary by Bill Bailey. He is an information technology analyst. He believes in a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, calling himself a Jeffersonian Anti-Federalist Democrat.
Democrat Bill Thomas is a graduate of Massasoit College, Indiana University Southeast, and is a Seminary graduate with degrees in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry. He is a licensed real estate broker in Indiana and a licensed pilot. Thomas is an associate pastor at Mount Zion Church. He is married and has five children.
Democrat Shelli Yoder is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University in South Bend, and Vanderbilt University. She is on faculty at the Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington. She currently serves on the Monroe County Council, where she was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2014.
Republican Robert Hall is a manufacturing executive and consultant with more than 30 years of experience. Hall has previously served as the state chairman of the Young Republicans. He is the founder and editor of Grassroots Conservatives eNews and coordinates the Monroe County Patriots. He is the president of his local homeowner's association.
Republican Trey Hollingsworth has never worked in government or for a political campaign, and says he is not a politician. He started HCP, a company that rehabilitated abandoned warehouses and manufacturing sites in Indiana and across the country. Later, he started an aluminum re-manufacturing operation that provides for over 100 families. He is married and lives in Jeffersonville.
Republican Erin Houchin currently represents the 47th district in the Indiana Senate, where she was elected in 2014. She has served on four committees during her term. She is a graduate of Indiana University and George Washington University. Houchin was endorsed by Indiana Right to Life and the National Rifle Association during her 2014 campaign. She is married and has three children.
Republican Brent Waltz currently represents the 36th district in the Indiana Senate, where he was first elected in 2004. Waltz serves on three committees. He has previously served as the President of the Johnson County Council. He is a graduate of Wabash College. He is one of four founders of the Wabash Commentary, a conservative magazine in publication for over 20 years.
Republican Greg Zoeller currently serves as the Indiana Attorney General, a role he has held since 2008, and before that served as chief deputy in the Attorney General's office. He is a graduate of Purdue University and Indiana University School of Law. Zoeller has served as the legislative and political counsel to then-Senator Dan Quayle. He is married and has three children.
Democrat Bob Kern ran for U.S. House in the 2nd District in 2014 and ran for U.S. House in the 7th District in 2012. He was defeated in the primary election both years. Kern's platform includes clean energy, national security, creating jobs by reducing government interference, and affordable education.
Democrat James R. McClure Jr. ran for the Democratic nomination in the 9th District in 2014, and was defeated in the primary by Bill Bailey. He is an information technology analyst. He believes in a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, calling himself a Jeffersonian Anti-Federalist Democrat.
Democrat Bill Thomas is a graduate of Massasoit College, Indiana University Southeast, and is a Seminary graduate with degrees in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry. He is a licensed real estate broker in Indiana and a licensed pilot. Thomas is an associate pastor at Mount Zion Church. He is married and has five children.
Democrat Shelli Yoder is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University in South Bend, and Vanderbilt University. She is on faculty at the Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington. She currently serves on the Monroe County Council, where she was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2014.