Published: May 01, 2008 01:31 pm         

Indiana legislative races to watch

Here are some legislative primaries to watch during Tuesday's primary; R refers to Republican, D to Democrat. Democrats now control the House 51-49, Republicans the Senate 33-17.



HOUSE:



DISTRICT 10: Freshman Rep. Gregory Simms, D-Valparaiso, faces Charles Moseley of Portage and Bob Poparad of Chesterton.



DISTRICT 15: Rep. Don Lehe, R-Brookston, faces Lon Childress of Lowell and Richard Nieymer of Cedar Lake. If Lehe wins, he could face a rematch with former Democratic Newton County Sheriff Myron Sutton of Kentland, who lost by 27 votes in 2008.



DISTRICT 19: House Ds banking on Rep. Shelli VanDenburg, D-Crown Point, to beat Dennis Meeks of Crown Point. Two Rs seeking nomination. VanDenburg won slating contest to replace Democrat Bob Kuzman, who resigned midterm.



DISTRICT 22: Rep. William Ruppel, R-North Manchester, faces Michael Ridenour of Wabash and William Dixon of Syracuse.



DISTRICT 40: Rep. Greg Steuerwald, R-Danville, was slated to replace Matt Whetstone, R-Brownsburg, who resigned midterm. Steuerwald faces two R opponents, but regardless of outcome, district is R stronghold.



DISTRICT 44: Rep. Amos Thomas, R-Brazil, vs. Duane Conover of Rockville. Winner could face former Greencastle Mayor Nancy Michael. House Ds have high hopes for Michael in primary and in the fall.



DISTRICT 49: Rep. John Ulmer, R-Goshen, could be ripe for defeat against well-known real estate agent Wes Culver of Goshen.



DISTRICT 50: Rep. Dan Leonard, R-Huntington, faces former Huntington Mayor Terry Abbett and Gary Snyder of Huntington.



DISTRICT 85: Rep. Phyllis Pond, R-New Haven, faces Allen County Treasurer Robert Lee and Denny Worman, son of former state Sen. Richard Worman.



DISTRICT 89: Open seat being vacated by Rep. Larry Buell, R-Indianapolis. R primary features Chris Swatts, Michael Batz and Larry Cooper, all of Indianapolis. Democrat primary between John Barnes and Tyler Gough, both of Indianapolis.



SENATE:



DISTRICT 2: Open seat; seven Democrats vying to replace Sen. Sam Smith of East Chicago, including his wife, Diane Smith, and former state senator and East Chicago city judge Lonnie Randolph.



DISTRICT 8: Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, faces Debra Birkholz of LaPorte and Maxine Spencer of LaPorte. Arnold won slating contest over Birkholz by one vote to replace the late Sen. Anita Bowser, who died in 2007.



DISTRICT 12: Open seat being vacated by Sen. Marvin Riegsecker, R-Goshen. Three Rs and three Ds seeking post in what is generally considered safe R seat.



DISTRICT 18: Open seat being vacated by Sen. Thomas Weatherwax, R- Logansport, not seeking re-election. Four Rs seeking nomination, including Cass County deputy prosecutor Randall Head. Ds have lone candidate, Deputy Logansport Mayor Linda Klinck.



DISTRICT 20: Senate Tax Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, faces Ken Geesaman of Noblesville.



DISTRICT 28: Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, faces Terry Michael of Indianapolis.



DISTRICT 30: Sen. Teresa Lubbers, R-Indianapolis, faces Ken Morgan of Indianapolis.



DISTRICT 42: Open seat being vacated by Sen. Robert Jackman, R-Milroy. Republican field includes former state Sen. Jean Leising of Oldenburg, former Shelbyville High School basketball coach John Heaton and Shelbyville City Councilman Jeff Sponsel.