By Jarred Meeks
In recent elections, Boone County has voted, in large part, for more Republican than Democratic candidates, but Boone County Democratic Party officials believe that trend could be changing.
On May 1, the party held an information session at The SullivanMunce Cultural Center in Zionsville for residents considering running in local elections. The session concerned what residents could expect when campaigning, what strategies are most successful and how party officials could help them if they filed as a Democrat.
“Qualifications that are required: breathing, a pulse,” said Andy Pickell, chair of the Boone County Democratic Party. “All of these positions were established to accommodate any citizen that lives in the community.”
During the meeting, three Zionsville women displayed varying levels of interest in running. Pickell acknowledged they must have toyed with the thought at some point to have attended, and he intended to help them move forward with that thought.
“The bottom line is, we are in a community that is changing,” Pickell said. “We have had a lot of population changes, enough to make a difference.”
Pickell also cited State Sen. J.D. Ford’s success in turning historically red precincts blue with his campaigning efforts during the 2018 elections as a source of hope. Attendees called the change “huge” and “a massive shift.”
But the shift the Democratic Party anticipates will only come with more votes. And Pickell advised the women that campaigning door-to-door continues to be the best way to garner more of them.
“It’s 9,000 homes. That’s doable,” Zionsville mayoral hopeful Emily Styron said.
Kristine Towns, a Zionsville resident, said the information session gave her the confidence she could not only file to run, but also have a successful campaign. She is drawn to local politics because “that’s what shapes the town.”
“While we may think this is a completely red town and county, those numbers are trending differently, so don’t let running as a Democrat worry you,” Pickell said.
