CONNERSVILLE, IN — The filing period for the May 2026 Primary Election officially commenced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. While the window is open to candidates from both major political parties, initial filings at the Fayette County Clerk’s office have been limited to the Republican ticket as of January 9. No Democratic candidates have filed for the listed offices at this time.
Current Candidate Filings
Debbie Coleman has filed for County Auditor. Zach Jones has filed for County Sheriff. Dawn Hughes has filed for County Clerk. Kay Riker Peyton has filed for Commissioner District 1. Lisa Witt has filed for County Recorder. Colin Judd has filed for Prosecuting Attorney. Connie Durham has filed for County Council. David Counceller has filed for Harrison Township Trustee.
Incumbency Status
Three of the current filers are running as incumbents for their respective offices: Zach Jones for County Sheriff, Dawn Hughes for County Clerk, and Lisa Witt for County Recorder.
Election Cycle Timeline
The filing window for both Democratic and Republican candidates remains open until Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM local time. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026. This election will determine which candidates will represent their respective parties in the General Election on November 3, 2026.
Candidate Requirements and Procedures
Candidates for local office must submit a Declaration of Candidacy and a Statement of Economic Interests to the Circuit Court Clerk. Per Indiana Code, eligibility is based on residency, voter registration status, and party affiliation. Party affiliation is typically determined by a candidate’s voting record in the two most recent primary elections in which they participated. In addition to county-wide and township offices, individuals may also file for positions
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