Shelby County primary election results

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 10:40 PM

By Johnny McCrory

A mix of incumbents and challengers were among the Republican primary election winners in Shelby County on Tuesday.

Just 17.6 percent of the over 30,000 registered voters in Shelby County voted in the primary. Of the 5,402 total voters, 3,888 voted on Tuesday. 1,418 were walk-in absentee with 96 voting paper absentee.

Shelby County Sheriff Chris Holder recently moved into that position when voted in by a caucus following the resignation of Sheriff Louie Koch. Holder secured the Republican nomination in a three candidate race by capturing 1,728 votes – 77 more than second place Justin Parker’s 1,651. James Coffey was third with 855 votes.

Incumbent Shelby County North Commissioner Jason Abel retained his seat by defeating challenger Justin Hart, 2,399 – 1,603.

Challengers were victorious in the Shelby County Council races.

In District 1, recently appointed City of Shelbyville Police Chief Louie Koch won with 595 votes. Incumbent Leigh Langkabel earned 239 votes with candidate Gary Pieratt earning 175.

In the District 3 council race, challenger James Ramsey defeated incumbent Brett Haacker, 470-272.

The race for the Republican Shelby County Clerk nomination was decided by just 150 votes. Tara Laird Griffith received 2,047 votes to 1,897 for Jennifer Hensley.

In Morristown, four candidates contended for three seats on the Morristown Town Council. The top three were Daniel Sidebottom – 111, Scott Gumberts – 104, and Kristi Langkabel – 93. Ralph Henderson was fourth with 75 votes.

As of this report, incumbent Jennifer Meltzer led the Republican nomination for the State Representative District 73 race. With 80 percent of the precincts reporting, Meltzer led challenger Edward Comstock, 3,675 – 1,844.