By DAVE KITCHELL

Pharos-Tribune staff writer



Juanita Hurd is among the people who will turn out on Election Day when it is in November and not in May.

“I do not vote in the primaries because I do not want to identify my party,” says the Logansport resident. “I would prefer to vote for candidates from both parties.”

Voters like her may be one of the reasons why primary election turnout is historically much lower than general elections.

In this primary, however, the ultimate winner of the Cass Circuit Judge race may be chosen before November. Democrats have no candidate for Circuit Court judge, and will not unless one is slated by the party this summer.

A former Cass Superior Court employee, Norma Coffin, is among voters who would like open primaries where voters from both parties can vote for all candidates, not just those in their party.

“Yes, my opinion is that the primaries should be open so that you can vote for someone in both parties. Maybe you’re a Democrat, but there’s somebody in the Republican Party that you think can fill the ballot better, but if you vote straight Democrat, you can’t vote for that person. I think it should be open to both parties or to independent voters.”

Gail Scheringa also was among callers who favor an open primary for Indiana.

“I would rather be able to vote for both parties in the primary,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Tuesday primary will have several contested races in the Logansport area. In addition to the three-way for Circuit Court judge with Robert L. Justice, Patrick McNarny and Sheryl Pherson, there will be contested school board races in both the Logansport and Southeastern school corporations.

Republican voters throughout Cass County will be able to vote for either Dave Arnold or Kent Hall for District 3 county commissioner, and voters north of the Wabash River who call the GOP ballot will choose among incumbent Brent Kelley, Lori Forrer and George Stebbins Jr. Kelley was appointed to the seat earlier this year when Steve Sims resigned.

A race that involves a majority of precincts in the county is the District 24 Indiana House primary race between incumbent Rich McClain of Logansport and Cass County Commissioners President Rick Eller. That race, along with the District 15 race between incumbent Republican Don Lehe of Brookston and Art Anderson of Monticello have been identified by the Associated Press as two of the 11 to watch Tuesday. The primary challenge is the first for McClain since he was elected in 1994, but he is not the only Republican facing a first-time primary challenge. Senate President Bob Garton of Columbus will face a challenge from Columbus accountant Greg Walker, AP reports.

Elsewhere in the Logansport area, two races are drawing some attention in Carroll County. The open seat for sheriff on the Republican ballot pits two deputies, Tony Burns and John Chapman, against each other. Prosecutor Robb Ives is being challenged by a former deputy, Tricia Thompson.

In Pulaski and White counties, seven-term incumbent Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Monticello, faces a primary opponent, Mike Campbell. Democrats Rick Cornstuble, Darin Kinser and David Sanders are vying to oppose the winner in November.

In the District 2 congressional primaries, voters in all or part of Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Pulaski and White counties will choose between incumbent Rep. Chris Chocola and his second-time challenger, Tony Zirkle on the Republican ballot. Democrats will choose between the 2004 party nominee, Joe Donnelly, and Steve Francis.

Dave Kitchell may be contacted at 722-5000, Ext. 5150, or via e-mail at david.kitchell@pharostribune.com