Classic Change vs. More of the Same Campaign in Marion County Clerk Battle

Sweeney-Bell

Sad to say, but one thing's for sure in the Marion County Clerk's race. Unfortunately, this will be Bob Kern's last ride as a candidate on the ballot. Kern passed away on April 4, 2026, from complications of a stroke. His presence on the ballot has been a given over the past 25+ years. It's been the Indy 500 in May, and Bob Kern on a Primary ballot.

In this race, there's no doubt that Kern will get at least a few votes for Clerk, but the two other candidates in the race will be fighting it out to become the favorite in November to win the job.

Incumbent Clerk Kate Sweeney-Bell was elected to the office four years ago in 2022. While she's put together a record to run on, it doesn't take a campaign expert to see that she is a little concerned and is not taking her opposition lightly. Sweeney-Bell is pulling out all of her rowdy Democratic friends who are recording endorsements for social media. The former Marion County Party Chair has that Rolodex, and she's using it.  She's been endorsed by Ed Delaney, Renee Pack, Carey Hamilton, Mitch Gore, Kristen Jones and Jeb Bardon. 

Attorney Karla Lopez-Owens is running against Sweeney-Bell (and Kern) for the Democratic nomination. Lopez-Owens, a past candidate in a crowded field for State Senate and a City-County Council caucus, is an immigrant and is talking about that part of her bio in this campaign. "Becoming a citizen and voting are privileges I don’t take for granted," Owens-Lopez says on Facebook. "I am prepared to meet this moment with courage and honesty. Together, we can rebuild trust in local government through transparency and accountability. Through that work, we can start changing the outcome of our circumstances and create new possibilities for ourselves."

Lopez-Owens

It's change vs. more of the same here. Sweeney-Bell is telling voters, in effect, that she's been there, done that and has all the t-shirts. Her campaign literature says, "As Marion County Clerk, Kate Sweeney-Bell has been on the frontlines defending free and fair elections, standing up to partisan redistricting attempts and fighting to protect access to the ballot...Kate is the experienced, steady, trusted leader who will keep Marion County Elections secure and ensure every voice is heard."

Sweeney-Bell remains the favorite, but that doesn't mean that Lopez-Owens can't make this interesting on Election Night. She has received endorsements from PACs like the Speedway Democrats and candidates like Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. Mears co-sponsored a fundraiser for Lopez-Owens. 

The winner of the Democratic Primary will almost certainly win election in November...even if it is Bob Kern. The Republican candidate, Robbin Stewart, sure is a fun Google.

I think Sweeney-Bell probably has the inside track. That said, Sweeney-Bell, as I said earlier, is a former Marion County Democratic Party Chair. You don't become a Party Chair without ticking a few people off. Sweeney-Bell could lose this if enough people find Lopez-Owens as someone who could credibly replace her. At this stage, I don't think that's going to be enough. In the end, it will be those strong party ties that I think carry the day for Sweeney-Bell. That's not to say that Lopez-Owens is a bad candidate. On the contrary, she's very good, and I think she will someday win a race for an elected office. 

Indiana's 7th District Congress Race Heads Towards 2026 Primary

I voted today. I went in. I did my civic duty, and I was out in a flash. I love having these satellite voting centers. They sure make it easy. I voted for Cinde Wirth in the 6th District primary. Because of the redistricting after the 2020 census that took my house out of the 7th, I didn't have to make a choice in that race.

Congressman André Carson

Had I made a choice, I don't think it's a surprise. I would have voted for Congressman André Carson. Congressman Carson has long been a friend of mine, and I say that with full disclosure. Even if he wasn't a friend who I once had a conversation with about our Transformers, I'm still curious as to why people think he needs to go.

Congressman Carson has made great strides in infrastructure funding for his district. He helped lead the fight for veteran mental health, and he's been a force for education especially those who are the most vulnerable. Besides all of this, Congressman Carson is the only Black representativein our Congressional delegation. He remains a voice for those who are most vulnerable. As one of only four Muslim members of Congress, he also provides an important role for the Muslim community in our area and across the country.

People try to use the argument that Congressman Carson got his position on his last name only. I think even he would admit that it did help him to be related to the wonderful Julia Carson, but Congressman Carson had to work to get the job and the seat he currently sits in. He had to fight off a crowded caucus field. He had to defeat a motivated Republican opponent in the special election. He had to then turn right around and win a primary against heavy hitters like Woody Myers and David Orentlicher. After winning that, he had to win again in November. He did it all. He hasn't looked back since then. 

As a veteran, Destiny Wells has a fantastic bio. I'll even go as far as to say that I think she'd probably make a really good Congresswoman. With that said, I still can't figure out one single issue that would rise to the level that I would choose to change course in the 7th. Wells has campaigned actively. She's been hitting Congressman Carson's record as well as been calling him out in areas she feel he's been lacking. I just don't think it's that effective. She's taking him to task over money he's taken into his campaign coffers. That's probably her most effective attack. Wells, a candidate for past offices in statewide races, says that she is running to help turn out the vote. That's noble. It's still not enough in my judgement to go away from the Congressman.

There are other candidates on the ballot. George Hornedo hoped to make a splash, but his campaign has floundered since Wells entered. That's my perception, anyway. Then, there's Denise Paul Hatch. I'm not going to pile on.

I think Carson goes north of 50 percent and any anti-Carson vote is split with Wells and Hornedo in that order. 

If, by some chance, Congressman Carson does lose renomination, then I think the Mayor's race could get REALLY interesting in 2027. What would the Congressman do? Does he run for Mayor? 

I don't think we will see that happening. Carson wins on May 5.