The Ballot Brief
Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Indiana Senate District 49

2 candidates are tracked for Indiana Senate District 49 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cindi Clayton and Jim Tomes. Candidate information follows official Vanderburgh County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Cindi Clayton (Democratic), Jim Tomes (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana Senate District 49; Jim Tomes 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.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Jim Tomes, is on the ballot.

Indiana › Vanderburgh County › Indiana Senate District 49

Cindi Clayton

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Utility oversight and rate accountability
  • Restoring public education funding

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Cindi Clayton is the Democratic candidate for Indiana Senate District 49 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list. Has 25 years of HR and policy experience plus a decade of teaching, and holds degrees in psychology and communication from the University of Southern Indiana, per campaign site. Is a 30-year resident of Evansville who serves as board chair of Holly's House, a children's and adult advocacy center, per campaign site.

Jim Tomes

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Veterans affairs and military policy, as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and The Military Committee

Per Indiana Senate Republicans caucus profile.

Biography

Jim Tomes has served as State Senator for Indiana Senate District 49 since 2010, representing Posey County and part of Vanderburgh County, per the campaign site. Tomes is a candidate for re-election to Indiana Senate District 49.

Next on your ballotIndiana House District 64

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Indiana Senate District 49 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Indiana Senate District 49 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Cindi Clayton and Jim Tomes. Candidate information follows official Vanderburgh County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Indiana Senate District 49 election in Indiana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Indiana are on the Indiana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Vanderburgh County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Vanderburgh County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Indiana election office, or see the full Vanderburgh County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Vanderburgh County ballot

15 tracked races in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Indiana House District 76Indiana House District 77Indiana House District 78See all 15 Vanderburgh County races
Candidate profiles
Cindi Clayton, full profileJim Tomes, full profileOfficial Indiana election office