Porter County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
38 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 21 Porter County races, led by the Porter County Circuit Court Judge contest.
County offices
Prosecuting AttorneyGary S. Germann (D) · Andrew L. Bennett (R)
Gary S. Germann Democratic
Germann is the current Porter County Prosecutor, first elected to the office and re-elected in 2018 and 2022, per Porter County government, Prosecutor page. The office has operated full-time since 1991, and Germann maintains no private law practice while serving as prosecutor, per Porter County government, Prosecutor page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Andrew L. Bennett Republican
Andrew L. Bennett has sixteen years of experience as a deputy prosecuting attorney, beginning in Lake County's Drug Unit before moving to Porter County, where he has served for thirteen years in the Portage and Valparaiso offices, per his campaign site. He has prosecuted cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies and has been responsible for nearly all serious and fatal vehicle-crash cases, per his campaign site.
Gary S. Germann (Democratic), Andrew L. Bennett (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Prosecuting Attorney, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageCircuit Court ClerkBARBARA DOMER (D) · JACKIE HANEY (R)
BARBARA DOMER Democratic
Barbara Domer is a Valparaiso City Council member (District 3) and has lived in Valparaiso for 33 years, per the Chicago Tribune and her council website. She is running for the clerk's seat being vacated by Democrat Jessica Bailey, who has termed out, per the Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
JACKIE HANEY Republican
Jackie Haney has nearly 30 years of experience in the Porter County Clerk's Office and currently serves as Chief Finance Deputy, per her campaign site.
BARBARA DOMER (Democratic), JACKIE HANEY (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Circuit Court Clerk, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageAuditorKAREN MARTIN (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
KAREN MARTIN Republican
Karen Martin is running unopposed as the Republican nominee for Porter County Auditor on Indiana's November 3, 2026 general election ballot, per Porter County government candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
KAREN MARTIN (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Auditor, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). Indiana prints unopposed candidates.
Full race pageRecorderLESLIE NUSS BAMESBERGER (D) · JON MILLER (R)
LESLIE NUSS BAMESBERGER Democratic
LESLIE NUSS BAMESBERGER appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Recorder, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for LESLIE NUSS BAMESBERGER.
JON MILLER Republican
Jon Miller is a deputy recorder in the Porter County Recorder's office, per the Chicago Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
LESLIE NUSS BAMESBERGER (Democratic), JON MILLER (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Recorder, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageSheriffJEFFREY A. BALON (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
JEFFREY A. BALON Republican
- Roadway safety and traffic enforcement
- Reducing crime through targeted suppression efforts
- Mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment
Per the campaign site.
About JEFFREY A. BALON
Balon began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the Valparaiso Police Department, serving 12 years in patrol and 13 years in investigations, including as Assistant Commander of the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force, per his campaign site. He holds an associate degree in Law Enforcement from Vincennes University and a bachelor's degree in Public Safety Management from Calumet College of St. Joseph, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, per his campaign site. He serves as 2026 President of the Indiana Sheriffs' Association and a board member of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, per his campaign site.
JEFFREY A. BALON (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Sheriff, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). Indiana prints unopposed candidates.
Full race pageCoronerJULIE WIENCKEN-SMITH (D) · BRIAN BOWLES (R)
JULIE WIENCKEN-SMITH Democratic
JULIE WIENCKEN-SMITH appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Coroner, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for JULIE WIENCKEN-SMITH.
BRIAN BOWLES Republican
- Strengthening deputy training in partnership with local law enforcement
- Expanding the coroner's office to match the county's population growth
Per the campaign site.
About BRIAN BOWLES
Bowles serves as Chief Deputy of the Porter County Coroner's Office, a position he has held for seven years, with more than 10 years of experience as a deputy coroner, per Bowles campaign site. He has 22 years of law enforcement experience spanning corrections, patrol, and corporate investigations, and is a certified non-violent crisis de-escalation instructor, per Bowles campaign site.
JULIE WIENCKEN-SMITH (Democratic), BRIAN BOWLES (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Coroner, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageAssessorSCOTT J KINGAN (D) · SUE NEFF (R)
SCOTT J KINGAN Democratic
SCOTT J KINGAN appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Assessor, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for SCOTT J KINGAN.
SUE NEFF Republican
Sue Neff is the incumbent Porter County Assessor, per the Chicago Tribune and the county's staff directory. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
SCOTT J KINGAN (Democratic), SUE NEFF (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Assessor, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageCommissioner, District 2KYLE S NELSON (D) · MIKE BRICKNER (R)
KYLE S NELSON Democratic
Nelson is a lifelong Northwest Indiana resident who moved to Valparaiso with his wife 12 years ago and works as a manager at Burn 'Em Brewing after previously working in marketing and communications, per VOTE411 Voter Guide. He volunteers at the Porter County Museum and has worked with the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission, per VOTE411 Voter Guide. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
MIKE BRICKNER Republican
Mike Brickner is a Porter County councilman (at-large) in his sixth year on the council, per the Chicago Tribune. He spent 31 years with the Valparaiso Police Department, the last 13 as chief, served three years as director of Porter County Public Safety and retired in January 2025 from Lake County Community Corrections, per the same report. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
KYLE S NELSON (Democratic), MIKE BRICKNER (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Commissioner, District 2, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageCouncil, District 1RONALD (RED) STONE (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
RONALD (RED) STONE Republican
Red Stone represents District 1 on the Porter County Council and is its vice president, per the county's council reorganization agenda of January 27, 2026. He serves as an ex-officio member of the county's charitable non-profit foundation board, per the county's council page. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
RONALD (RED) STONE (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 1, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). Indiana prints unopposed candidates.
Full race pageCouncil, District 2BRIAN M GULLEY (D) · SPENCER LEMMONS (R)
BRIAN M GULLEY Democratic
BRIAN M GULLEY appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for BRIAN M GULLEY.
SPENCER LEMMONS Republican
SPENCER LEMMONS appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for SPENCER LEMMONS.
BRIAN M GULLEY (Democratic), SPENCER LEMMONS (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 2, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageCouncil, District 3JACK TIPOLD (D) · DAWN MILLER (R)
JACK TIPOLD Democratic
Jack Tipold, of Valparaiso, is a rapid response coordinator for the United Steelworkers and is in his 33rd year as an international union organizer, per the Chicago Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
DAWN MILLER Republican
- Fiscal responsibility, including a balanced budget and greater transparency
- Investing in road and infrastructure maintenance
- Adequate funding for police, fire and EMS
Per the campaign site.
About DAWN MILLER
Dawn Miller is the Republican nominee for Porter County Council District 3, per the Chicago Tribune. Her campaign site, read September 29, 2026, lists her priorities and carries no biography or occupation.
JACK TIPOLD (Democratic), DAWN MILLER (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 3, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageCouncil, District 4JULIA KOCAL (D) · CRAIG KENWORTHY (R)
JULIA KOCAL Democratic
JULIA KOCAL appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 4, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for JULIA KOCAL.
CRAIG KENWORTHY Republican
Craig Kenworthy retired as a pipefitter from Local 597 in 2020 and is director of facility operations for the East Porter County School Corporation, per the Chicago Tribune. He has been on the Porter County Plan Commission since January 2025, served 12 years on the county Park Board from 2010 to 2022 and is a sixth-generation Morgan Township resident, per the same report. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
JULIA KOCAL (Democratic), CRAIG KENWORTHY (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Council, District 4, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageJudges
Circuit Court JudgeRebecca Lynn Buitendorp (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rebecca Lynn Buitendorp Republican
Rebecca Lynn Buitendorp is running unopposed as the Republican nominee for Porter County Circuit Court Judge on Indiana's November 3, 2026 general election ballot, per Indiana Secretary of State 2026 general election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Rebecca Lynn Buitendorp (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Circuit Court Judge, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). Indiana prints unopposed candidates.
Full race pageSuperior Court Judge, No. 1Mike Fish (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mike Fish Republican
Mike Fish is running unopposed as the Republican nominee for Porter County Superior Court Judge, No. 1, on Indiana's November 3, 2026 general election ballot, per Indiana Secretary of State 2026 general election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Mike Fish (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Superior Court Judge, No. 1, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). Indiana prints unopposed candidates.
Full race pageSuperior Court Judge, No. 4Heather A. McCarthy (D) · Christopher A. Buckley (R)
Heather A. McCarthy Democratic
- Prioritizing a fair, firm and respectful courtroom
- Holding offenders accountable through the judicial process
- Protecting victims within the court system
Per the campaign site.
About Heather A. McCarthy
McCarthy is the City Attorney for Hobart and has nearly 20 years of legal experience in Northwest Indiana, including serving as legal counsel to municipalities and as a judge pro tempore across the region, per the campaign site. She previously spent a decade leading behavioral health programs and advocating for crime victims and their families, per the campaign site. She was named a 2022 Northwest Indiana Most Influential Woman Lawyer, per the campaign site.
Christopher A. Buckley Republican
- Bringing compassion and evidence-based solutions to mental health cases through the county's problem-solving court
- Applying thoughtful judgment and common sense to criminal, civil, and protective order matters
Per the campaign site.
About Christopher A. Buckley
Buckley has served as Porter County Superior Court Judge since 2021 and previously served as Lowell Town Court Judge from 2016 to 2020, per Buckley campaign site. He teaches as an adjunct professor at Valparaiso University School of Law and chairs Indiana's statewide Problem-Solving Courts Committee, presiding over Porter County's adult mental health problem-solving court, per Buckley campaign site. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a motor transport operator and machine gunner with the Third Battalion, Third Marines, per Buckley campaign site.
Heather A. McCarthy (Democratic), Christopher A. Buckley (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Porter County Superior Court Judge, No. 4, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026).
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Porter County is split across 5 Indiana House districts.
Find your districts by addressIndiana House: 5 districtsDistricts 4, 9, 10, 11, 19
Indiana House District 4Ryan Kominakis (D) · Travis Gearhart (Libertarian) · Ed Soliday (R)
Ryan Kominakis Democratic
- Fair wages
- Affordable living
- Honest, accountable government
Per the campaign site.
About Ryan Kominakis
Ryan Kominakis is the Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list. Is a Marine veteran, steelworker, and union representative, per campaign site. Is a family man based in the Valparaiso, Indiana area with a wife and two young sons, per campaign site.
Travis Gearhart Libertarian
- Utility accountability, including an audit of NIPSCO over rising bills
- Term limits for elected officials
- Cannabis legalization for adult use
Per the Progressive Indiana Network.
About Travis Gearhart
Travis Gearhart is the Libertarian candidate for Indiana House District 4, per the campaign site. Gearhart previously served on the Hebron Town Council and held local Republican party roles before joining the Libertarian Party ahead of this campaign.
Ed Soliday Republican Incumbent
Ed Soliday is an aviation consultant who represents Indiana House District 4, per the Indiana House Republican Caucus. He is a decorated U.S. Army attack helicopter pilot who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart, and worked for United Airlines for more than 35 years, per the caucus profile. He was elected to the Indiana House in 2006 and has chaired the House Roads and Transportation and Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications committees, per the caucus profile. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Ryan Kominakis (Democratic), Travis Gearhart (Libertarian), Ed Soliday (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 4; Ed Soliday is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageIndiana House District 9Randy Novak (D) · Chris Cleveland (R)
Randy Novak Democratic Incumbent
- Supports first responders and emergency services
- Supports expanding access to affordable housing
Per the campaign site.
About Randy Novak
Randy Novak is a former firefighter and Fire Chief in LaPorte and Porter counties running for Indiana House District 9, per the campaign site.
Chris Cleveland Republican
- Controlling rising utility and healthcare costs
- Opposing rising property, wheel, and local income taxes
- Government fiscal discipline
Per the Hometown News Now.
About Chris Cleveland
Chris Cleveland is a software entrepreneur running for Indiana House District 9, per the campaign site. Cleveland grew up in rural Indiana, the son of an auto mechanic and a school cafeteria worker, and previously chaired a Chicago-area Republican Party organization.
Randy Novak (Democratic), Chris Cleveland (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 9; Randy Novak is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageIndiana House District 10Charles Chuck Moseley (D) · Ted Uzelac (R)
Charles Chuck Moseley Democratic Incumbent
Charles Chuck Moseley is the Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 10 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list. Charles Chuck Moseley is a sitting member for the district, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Moseley is an Army National Guard veteran and past president of the Portage Chamber of Commerce, per the Indiana House Democratic Caucus profile. He has represented House District 10 in Portage and Porter County since first being elected in November 2008, per the same profile. He is ranking minority member of the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee, per the caucus profile. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Ted Uzelac Republican
- Public safety and stronger penalties for violent offenders
- Vocational training and apprenticeship investment
- Housing affordability and property tax and utility rate transparency
Per the campaign site.
About Ted Uzelac
Ted Uzelac is the Republican candidate for Indiana House District 10 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list. Is a combat veteran and former assistant police chief for the city of Portage who deployed to Mosul, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, per campaign site. Comes from a family of veterans and union workers; his father was a Vietnam veteran and steelworker and his mother a nurse, per campaign site.
Charles Chuck Moseley (Democratic), Ted Uzelac (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 10; Charles Chuck Moseley is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageIndiana House District 11Tyler Thomas Bridges (D) · Michael J. Aylesworth (R)
Tyler Thomas Bridges Democratic
- Affordability, including grocery, childcare, and housing costs
- Fully funding public schools and directing funding away from voucher programs
- Raising the minimum wage and workers' organizing rights
Per the campaign site.
About Tyler Thomas Bridges
Tyler Thomas Bridges is the Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list. Is a teacher and a union member running to represent Newton, Jasper, Lake, and Porter counties, per campaign site.
Michael J. Aylesworth Republican Incumbent
Michael Aylesworth is a U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of the Iroquois Bio Energy Company who represents Indiana House District 11, per the Indiana House Republican Caucus. He previously served two terms as a Porter County commissioner and one term on the Porter County Council, per the caucus profile. He has served in the Indiana House since 2014 and represents portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter counties, per the caucus profile. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Tyler Thomas Bridges (Democratic), Michael J. Aylesworth (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 11; Michael J. Aylesworth is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageIndiana House District 19Nick Neal (D) · Julie Olthoff (R)
Nick Neal Democratic
- Opposes shifting state funding burdens onto local governments
- Focuses on cost-of-living concerns for Lake and Porter county families
Per the campaign site.
About Nick Neal
Nick Neal is a former police officer and nonprofit executive running for Indiana House District 19, per the campaign site. Neal previously led community programs addressing child abuse prevention and truancy reduction in Northwest Indiana.
Julie Olthoff Republican Incumbent
- Supports increasing classroom funding
- Supports protections for foster children and sexual assault victims
- Supports infrastructure projects including the South Shore rail expansion
Per the campaign site.
About Julie Olthoff
Julie Olthoff is the incumbent state representative for Indiana House District 19, per the campaign site, which credits Olthoff with authoring or advancing more than 100 bills into public law over a decade in office.
Nick Neal (Democratic), Julie Olthoff (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 19; Julie Olthoff is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageIndiana Senate District 4Rodney Pol (D) · Nate Uldricks (R)
Rodney Pol Democratic Incumbent
- Juvenile justice reform, including parental notification when a minor is detained
Per Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus (SEA 415).
About Rodney Pol
Rodney Pol represents Senate District 4 and serves as Minority Caucus Chair of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus, according to the caucus website. He lives in Chesterton and authored Senate Enrolled Act 415, which set notification requirements for law enforcement when a juvenile is arrested or detained, per the caucus site. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Nate Uldricks Republican
- Economic development focused on manufacturing
- Reducing everyday costs for residents
- Strengthening public safety and protecting regional natural resources
Per the campaign site.
About Nate Uldricks
Nate Uldricks is a third-generation Porter County resident and Purdue-trained engineer who serves as Pine Township Board chairman and a volunteer firefighter, per campaign site. He previously held management positions at the White House and the U.S. Department of Defense, per campaign site.
Rodney Pol (Democratic), Nate Uldricks (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana Senate District 4; Rodney Pol is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
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Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Indiana Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary (plurality, no runoffs); Libertarian nominees at the party's convention and the statewide offices at the party state conventions. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). Indiana prints unopposed candidates; declared write-in candidates are counted but their names never print.
Who is on the ballot in Porter County, Indiana on November 3, 2026?
Porter County sample ballot 2026: see where the superior court judge and prosecuting attorney candidates stand on the budget, public safety and roads. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Indiana?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Indiana are listed on the Indiana election hub. Indiana election hub →
How do I see my exact Porter County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Indiana statewide racesEvery Indiana race on this county's ballot.All Indiana ballot measures2 statewide ballot measuresIndiana judges3 tracked judges on the retention ballotCandidate roster last updated Sep 29, 2026 from official election sources.