Five Contested Republican Races Head to Blackford County May 5 Primary

Blackford County voters will decide five contested Republican primary races on May 5, with candidate details now confirmed for three key local offices.

The District 2 county commissioner seat is a three-way race. Incumbent Laura Coons, who previously served as county clerk and recorder, faces challengers Shane Smith and Eddie Cansler.

The prosecutor's race pits incumbent Joelle Freiburger against challenger Aaron Henderson. Freiburger has served as chief deputy prosecutor for three years and previously worked as chief public defender in Jay County for four years.

The coroner's seat is contested between Adam Solga and Tarick Townsend Strine. Solga currently serves as deputy coroner, graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 2014, and works as a production shift manager at Petoskey Plastics.

Two additional contested races — county council and surveyor — are confirmed, though specific candidate matchups have not yet been fully identified from available sources. The surveyor's race includes at least one filed candidate, Clint Abney.

Also on the Republican ballot: incumbent U.S. Representative Marlin Stutzman faces Jon Kenworthy, and Lisa Flint Simmons is running unopposed for county auditor.

Early voting continues at the Blackford County Courthouse through May 4. Saturday early voting is available May 2 from 8 a.m. to noon at the courthouse and the Montpelier Civic Center. The courthouse will be closed on Election Day, May 5.

For a complete breakdown of every race on the ballot, see our full 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide. For background on the three-way races for commissioner, prosecutor, and coroner, see our earlier coverage.

Source: Hartford City News-Times election coverage articles (paywalled; candidate names and biographical details from search snippets)