Ashlee D. Beeman
The only Democrat running for any Blackford County local office in 2026. A Hartford City resident and former small-business owner (The Veridian Salon and Spa, which she sold in November 2024), Beeman is running uncontested in the Democratic primary and will face the Republican nominee in the November general election for the open District 1 county council seat.
The 60-second story
Ashlee D. Beeman is the sole Democratic candidate for the Blackford County Council District 1 seat in 2026. She is running uncontested in the May 5 Democratic primary and will face the Republican nominee — likely Jeff Whetzel — in the November 3 general election. Incumbent councilmember Fred Tobey (R) is not seeking re-election.
Beeman is a Hartford City resident and former small-business owner. She founded and operated The Veridian Salon and Spa, a full-service salon at 1016 W. Washington Street in Hartford City. She sold the business in November 2024, stating she wanted 'to go home and be more present' with her family. Her path from personal adversity to salon ownership was featured on The Schick Show podcast in February 2024, in an episode titled 'Rise Above Your Raisin'' that described her journey as 'a success story that you must listen to in her words, in order to believe.'
She is the only Democrat running for any Blackford County local office in 2026. In a county where the Republican presidential candidate received approximately 75% of the vote in 2024, a Democratic county council candidate faces steep structural odds — but her candidacy ensures that District 1 voters have a general-election choice on November 3, unlike voters in the commissioner, prosecutor, coroner, and surveyor races, which are all decided in the Republican primary.
Quick facts
- Residence Hartford City, Indiana (Blackford County)
- Party Democrat — the only D running for any Blackford County local office in 2026
- Profession Former owner, The Veridian Salon and Spa (Hartford City); sold November 2024
- Family Married to Brian Beeman; children Ethan, Aiden, and Barrett
- R general opponent Likely Jeff Whetzel (R); Derek Bonewit (R) may have withdrawn from R primary
- Seat status Open seat — incumbent Fred Tobey (R) not seeking re-election
- Featured media The Schick Show podcast, 'Rise Above Your Raisin'' episode (Feb 25, 2024)
Three things voters should know
She's the only Democrat running for any Blackford County local office in 2026
Every other contested Blackford County race this cycle — commissioner, prosecutor, coroner, surveyor, and council District 3 — is a Republican-primary-only contest with no Democratic candidate. Beeman's filing ensures that District 1 voters have a general-election choice on November 3. In a county that gave Trump approximately 75% in 2024, a Democratic county council candidate faces very long odds, but her presence on the ballot is structurally distinctive and may draw voters to the polls who otherwise wouldn't participate in a Blackford County local election.
She built and sold a local business — a 'rise above your raisin'' story
Beeman founded and operated The Veridian Salon and Spa at 1016 W. Washington Street in Hartford City, building it into a well-reviewed local business (4.5-star Google rating, 28 Birdeye reviews). Her path to salon ownership was featured on The Schick Show podcast in February 2024 as 'a success story that you must listen to in her words, in order to believe.' She sold the salon in November 2024, transitioning out of small-business ownership to focus on family — and filing for county council two months later.
Limited public information is available about her campaign platform
No campaign website, campaign Facebook page, or Hartford City News-Times candidate Q&A was identified for Beeman through web research. Her professional background as a salon owner and her personal narrative of 'rising above' are documented, but her specific policy positions on county budget, salary, and spending issues — the core responsibilities of a county council member — are not publicly available. Voters seeking more detail should contact her directly.
Biography
Ashlee D. Beeman is a Hartford City, Indiana resident. She is married to Brian Beeman and has three children: Ethan and Aiden Hidy (from a prior relationship) and Barrett Beeman. Her extended family includes deep roots in the Hartford City community, documented through local obituary and civic records.
Beeman founded The Veridian Salon and Spa, a full-service salon offering color, cuts, waxing, nail services, and retail at 1016 W. Washington Street in Hartford City. The salon earned a 4.5-star rating on Google reviews and was recognized locally as a successful small business. She appeared on The Schick Show podcast on February 25, 2024, in an episode that highlighted her personal journey to business ownership as an inspiring local success story.
She sold The Veridian Salon in November 2024, announcing on Facebook on November 16, 2024 that she had 'completed a sale' and that her last day was November 20. She indicated the new owner — 'who isn't local but does investment property' — intended to keep the salon open, and expressed excitement that her stylists would be able to continue. She described her decision as wanting to 'go home and be more present' with her family.
She filed for the Democratic nomination for Blackford County Council District 1 during the last week of the January 2026 filing window. She is the sole Democratic candidate for the seat and the only Democrat running for any Blackford County local office in 2026. Her professional background, education, and specific campaign platform are not publicly documented in available online sources beyond her salon-ownership history.
Career
Where the money came from
$0 raised this cycle · 0 contributions
- Local CFA-4 not in state online system$0