Updated: Marshall County Republicans and Democrats file on Wednesday for the May Primary Election

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Wednesday marked the start of candidate filing for Indiana’s 2026 primary election in May.

Candidates wanting to appear on the Democrat or Republican primary ballot began submitting their declaration of candidacy paperwork today in the Marshall County Clerk’s Office.

Candidates running for U.S. House of Representatives, state legislature, and judicial offices, including county prosecuting attorneys, must file a declaration of candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State or the Indiana Election Division.

Several Marshall County Republicans filed their candidacy declarations on Wednesday, the first day of the 2026 election filing period. They include Stan Klotz for County Commissioner District 1, Will Patterson for County Council District 1, Deb Johnson for County Council District 2, Nicole Cox for County Council District 3,

Laura Brockway for County Council District 4, Brandon Richie for County Council District 4,

Joseph Morris for County Prosecutor, Jenny Bennitt for County Clerk, Les McFarland for Marshall County Sheriff, Jeff Snyder for Marshall County Sheriff, Angie Birchmeier for County Auditor, Steve Gorski for County recorder.

Other Republicans who filed included Deb VanDeMark, Bryan Howard, and Sam Schlosser for State Delegates, Amy Knapp for Center Township Trustee, Doug Kucera and James Baldwin for Center Township Advisory Board, Terry Borggren for West Township Trustee, and Spencer Standley for Bourbon Town Council. Judge Matthew Aldridge attended Wednesday’s event but must file for reelection in Indianapolis.

Marshall County Democrats also took advantage of the first day to file declarations. Mary Jo Finley, Michelle Livinghouse filed for Precinct Committeemen and State Delegates, while Steve Barber filed for the North Township Advisory Board. Joslin Stiffler, Megan Rogers, and Evan Dutmer all filed for Precinct Committeemen, and Amanda Petrucelli filed for State Delegate and the Center Township Advisory Board.

The candidate filing period will close on February 6th at noon.

Candidates seeking guidance can find information on the Marshall County website at www.co.marshall.in.us or the Indiana Secretary of State's website at www.in.gov/sos/elections/.

Photos provided by our news partners, Jamie Fluery with the Pilot News.