Republicans once again showed their strength on the ballot with all seven local positions filled but only two races this primary election that was moved to June due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were only two local Democratic candidates and both of them were unopposed.

The slate is set for the General Election in November, with Republican Incumbent Peg Schell returning to seek her another term as county coroner and three county councilmembers – including one newcomer. 

These are the unofficial results and will stand until the results are certified, which takes approximately 10 days. 

Schell defeated Republican challenger Steve Tye, 1,547 to 1,191. She received 1,099 votes today and 448 early votes. Tye received 884 votes today with 307 early votes. 

In the Republican race for County Council nominations, the field was full of six candidates seeking three spots. 

Mark “Bubba” Abbott took the majority of votes with 1,507; followed by incumbents Keeley Stingel with 1,436 and Rondale Brishaber. 

Abbot captured 1,128 votes on Tuesday with 379 early votes. Stingel took 1,021 in-person votes while receiving 3415 early votes. Brishaber had 1,248 total votes and received 850 votes at the polls while taking 398 early votes. 

Brishaber edged out fellow councilmember and incumbent Gerald Fleming Sr by one vote, 1248 to 1247. 

Jason Cockerill, the former Washington County Surveyor, received 1,082 votes (760 at the polls and 322 in early votes) and Salem Middle School teacher Duane Malloy took 1,011 total votes with 741 votes on election day and 270 early votes. 

Those running for Republican State Delegates were, in order of votes:

• Erin Houchin – 2,019 
• Dustin Houchin – 1,739
• Keeley Stingel – 1,579
• Tara Coats Hunt – 1,352
• Jason Cockerill – 1,342
• Ken Armstrong – 1,304
• Stephanie Rockey – 1,301
• Susan Davidson – 1,262
• LuAnn Armstrong – 1,166

Other delegates were: 

• Emily Cockerill – 1,165
• Chris Hunt – 1,083
• Jimmy Rockey – 1,008

On the Democratic ticket, Judity Wiesenauer received the only party nomination for the state convention delegate with 1,080 votes. Of those, 475 were votes at the polls with 605 early votes. 

County Clerk 

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey won the GOP nomination to run on the ballot for the first time this fall. Rockey was caucused to replace former clerk Sarah Milligan. 

Rockey took 2,555 total votes with 1,824 on election day and 731 in early voting. 

County Treasurer

Former County Treasurer Shirley Batt had no competition on the Democratic ticket and earned the nomination to run in the fall. She took 1,183 votes with 509 at the polls and 674 in early voting. 

The Republican party nominated Nancy J. Coats, who ran unopposed, to challenge Batt this fall. 

Coats received 2,469 votes with 1,782 at the polls and another 687 early votes. 

County Surveyor

Emily Rodman ran unopposed for the Republican nomination to run this fall as County Surveyor. She received 2,499 votes with 1,787 votes on Tuesday and 712 early votes. 

County Commissioner, District 1

Republican incumbent Phil Marshall ran unopposed for the party nomination to run this fall for the District 1 County Commissioner seat. 

Marshall earned 2,507 votes with 1,828 at the polls and another 679 in early votes. 

County Commissioner, District 3 

Republican incumbent Rick Roberts will seek another term as District 3 County Commissioner. Roberts took 2,517 votes with 723 early votes and 1,794 coming at the polls. 

State Representative District 73

Steve Davisson Indiana State Representative from District 73 took an early lead from Republican challenger Mark Cox. Davisson defeated him in Washington County, 2,097 to 834. 

Davisson will seek another term in the fall election.  He took 1,397 votes at the polls and earned 700 in early voting. 

Cox captured 720 votes on Tuesday and 114 in early votes. 

With 63 percent of the vote in Tuesday night, Davisson had 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Cox. 

US Representative District 9 

Incumbent Trey Hollingsworth pulled 2,639 local votes. He was unopposed on the Republican ticket. 

On the Democratic ballot, D. Liam Dorris, Brandon Hood, James O’Gabhann III, Mark J. Powell and Andy Ruff all sought the nomination to run against Hollingsworth in the fall. 

With about 75 percent of the vote in, Ruff has edged Powell for the chance to run against Hollingsworth in November. 

Ruff has earned 10,355 or 32.6 percent of the vote while Powell took 7,976 or 25.1 percent. 

According to Alicia Thompson, Washington County Health Department Nurse, the second stage of the IUPUI research study begins June 3-7.

Thompson explained that if residents receive a postcard or text, be sure and participate. 

“Neither the postcard nor text will ask for any type of financial information, so please don’t fall for scams,” she pointed out. 

“Your participation is greatly appreciated in helping to learn more about this virus,” said Thompson. “At this time you can not volunteer for this study only those that have been preselected are eligible.”

Tuesday night (June 2) you’ll be able to drive into the parking lot of the Washington County Justice Center, grab some snacks, and tune to WSLM to hear the LIVE results of the primary election. 

The Washington County Commissioners have given their approval as well as Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey. 

“We wanted to do something creative and give those that normally gather to listen to the results the ability to do so in as near a normal manner as possible,” said Rebecca White, owner, and general manager of Salem Media. “The Washington County Election Board usually reads the results but the public won’t be able to come in as they have in years past.”

County buildings remain closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Snacks will be available on a table near the entrance to the Justice Center, courtesy of Walmart. 

“Of course, like any Drive-In, you’ll need to head to the snack bar before the Feature Presentation,” said White. “Grab some chips, candy, and a drink, and enjoy the election results in your vehicle. I will be reading the results live on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM, as well as broadcasting, live on social media and wslmradio.com.” 

White will be joined by Brad Gilbert to present the results after the polls close at 6p. 

The only two races are on the Republican ticket for Coroner and County Council. 

Today is the final day for early voting in Washington County prior to the polls opening for June 2’s Primary Election. 

Indiana officials moved the primary from May to June due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Indiana under a Stay-at-Home order at that time. 

Voters who have not voted by absentee ballot or plan to vote on Tuesday may due so today, Monday, June 1^st from 8 am to Noon. COVID-19 CDC guidelines will be strictly adhered to.

Election Day is June 2^nd from 6 am to 6 pm. 

“Please be advised that we have merged some polling locations in compliance with the Secretary of State request,” according to Stephanie Rockey, Washington County Clerk. 

Polling locations are as follows:

• • Salem Armory- 1100 N Shelby Street- Precincts Salem 1-4
  • Washington County Fair Grounds- 4-H Building- 118 N. Fair Street- Precincts Washington 1-4 and Franklin
  • Campbellsburg Community Building- 125 S. Sycamore Street- Precincts Brown and Vernon
  • Gibson Twp. FireHouse- 571 N. State Road 39- Precinct Gibson
  • Howard Twp. FireHouse- 5279 S. Becks Mill Road- Precinct Howard
  • Jackson Twp. FireHouse- 4330 E. Martinsburg Fire Road- Precinct Jackson
  • Monroe Twp. FireHouse- 8496 N. State Road 135- Precincts Jefferson & Monroe
  • Fellowship Baptist Mission Center (formally Bearcat Civic Center)- 9271 W. US Hwy 150- Precincts Madison & Posey
  • Pierce and Polk precincts which have been merged will be held at the Pekin park in the Community Building

Regarding the logistics of election night results reporting- The County Election Board with a unanimous vote, has changed the way results will be given this election, said Rockey.

The Washington County Justice Center will be closed to the public on election night. 

The results will still be tabulated precinct by precinct, the CEB will supply reports, (in real-time) to the local media, who will be present.

Rebecca White, Owner and General Manager of WSLM will be reading the results LIVE along with her co-host of the election broadcast, Brad Gilbert. 

“We are grateful that our local community media outlets are partnering with our County Election Board in keeping everyone safe but well informed,” said Rockey. “As your County Election Administrator, the health and safety of my voters, election workers, my employees, and our families are my number one priority!”

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today took these actions to protect Hoosiers, properties and businesses as the result of two nights of violence, following peaceful protests in Indiana.

After two days of peaceful protests in Indianapolis that turned into violence, Holcomb is allowing communities across the state to increase travel restrictions and said the Indiana National Guard will stay on standby.

Members of the guard along with the Indiana State Police will be at state properties to protect them from further damage. And several hundred guard members are on standby to help communities across the state if requested.

Holcomb also signed an executive order that allows local governments to have more stringent travel restrictions than the state as of 11 a.m. today.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced earlier Sunday that a curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Monday. 

 Holcomb also verbally asked the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available Saturday, but deployment was not requested, per the release. 

The Governor:

• Signed Executive Order 20-29 to lift restrictions on local declarations of emergency that had been instituted as a part of the stay at home and back on track orders pertaining to COVID-19. This order, effective as of 11 a.m. today, allows local governments to place more stringent travel restrictions than the state has in place. A link to the order may be found at https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive%20Order%2020-29.pdf.
• Directed members of the Indiana National Guard to be on standby to assist communities across the state if requested. Gov. Holcomb verbally activated the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available to assist local communities Saturday, however, no deployment was requested. Several hundred Guard members remain on standby.
• Ordered members of the Guard, supported by Indiana State Police, to establish a presence at state properties in Indianapolis to protect them from further damage.

“At my order, the Indiana National Guard stands ready to assist local communities in need to protect the public and property, and I am deploying Guard members to protect state property beginning today,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Organized protests have taken place across the state without incident but the events that have followed, particularly in Indianapolis, have devastated businesses, defaced public monuments that are centuries old, and resulted in the loss of life.”

Washington County’s Covid-19 number went from 52 back to 51 yesterday with the release of updated data from the Indiana State Health Department. 

Alicia Thompson from the Washington County Health Department explained the change. 

“The patient wasn’t a true Washington county resident and it couldn’t be proven until just the other day when we were able to speak with the patient’s relative,” she said in an email response. 

There were 646 new cases reported on Thursday afternoon with 37 new deaths and 7,112 new tests administered.

This was an increase after three days of new cases numbering in the 300s. 

That brings the total number of cases to 33,068 in Indiana with 1,907 total deaths and 242,287 total tests. 

Of the total tested, only 13.6 percent of Indiana’s population has tested positive.  

Lawrence County

1260 Tests, 152 Cases, 23 Deaths – plus 8 cases

Jackson County

1739 Tests, 372 Cases, 1 death – plus 5 cases 

Jennings County

590 Tests, 129 Cases, 4 deaths – plus 2 cases

Orange County

637 Tests, 124 Cases, 22 deaths – 0 new cases

Washington County

523 Tests, 51 Cases, 1 death – minus one case

Scott County

1594 Tests, 120Cases, 3 deaths  – plus 2 cases

Clark County

3451 Tests, 479 Cases, 38 deaths – plus 18 cases

Floyd County

2068 Tests, 317 Cases, 38 deaths,- plus 3 cases

Harrison County

1163 Tests, 189 Cases, 21 deaths – plus 2 cases

Crawford County

268 Tests, 23 Cases, 0 deaths – 0 new cases