Candidate filing for the 2026 Indiana Primary Election closed last week, with a record number of Democratic candidates having filed to run for open seats in the U.S. House, Indiana House and Indiana Senate.
The Indiana Primary Election is May 5, where voters will select nominees from both the Democratic and Republican parties to run against each other in the General Election on Nov. 3, 2026. This year, all 100 Indiana House seats, all nine U.S. House seats and 25 of the 50 Indiana Senate seats are up for grabs.
Candidates had approximately one month to file, with filings opening on Jan. 7 and closing on Feb. 6. At least one Democratic candidate is running for each of the 25 Indiana Senate seats and in at least 91 of 100 State House Districts. Republican candidates are running for 24 of the 25 Indiana seats and in 80 of 100 State House Districts, according to data from the Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales.
“Families are doing everything right, yet the cost of living keeps climbing — and too often this supermajority chooses headlines over help,” Indiana Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) said in a statement. “That’s why a record number of Democratic candidates are stepping forward to serve their communities at this truly critical time for our state and country. They’re ready to get to work to make Indiana more affordable: lowering childcare costs, protecting working families’ budgets, and investing in the future of our communities so people can not just get by, but get ahead.”
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Hoosiers are “fired up and fed up” with the priorities of the Republican supermajority at the Statehouse, spurring Democratic leaders to take action, Yoder said.
This marks the first time Democrats have contested all 25 State Senate seats up for election in a single cycle since 1974. It’s also the largest number of contested House races since 1992 — when multi-member districts were eliminated by the Indiana General Assembly, according to a press release.
“After 21-plus years of one-party Republican rule, our state is ready for change,” Indiana Democratic Chair Karen Tallian said in a statement. “Hoosiers are sick of skyrocketing utility bills, stagnant wages and corruption. Indiana Democrats are offering a real choice. This year, we have candidates on the ballot at every level, and we are preparing for a once-in-a-generation wave of change.”
Major party candidates, including Secretary of State, State Comptroller and Treasurer of State, will not appear on the ballot this year. In Indiana, those statewide offices will be nominated by delegates at their respective state party conventions.
Indiana’s 2026 Primary Election is May 5, 2026. The deadline to register to vote in the Primary in person, by mail or online is April 6, 2026.
For more information about the Primary Election, voter registration or to view a complete list of candidate filings, visit in.gov/sos/elections.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
