Indiana’s voting history in US presidential elections
Although Indiana is typically a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, Democrats have won the state several times throughout history.
The Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the state of Indiana said she has no plans to change her campaign team after her campaign manager was removed from his position with the Johnson County Democratic Party and barred from running for local office for two years.
Charrie Stambaugh, Valerie McCray’s campaign manager, has been removed from her position as vice chair of a Democratic precinct committee in Johnson County, barred from holding party office and barred from being elected or appointed to Democratic office until 2026, according to documents obtained by IndyStar.
Stambaugh says the action is part of ongoing “harassment” by individuals in Johnson County. She filed for a restraining order against one individual in July.
A letter from Johnson County party leadership sent to Stambaugh in July said the party had received complaints and a petition to “apply Rule 19,” an Indiana Democratic Party rule that sets out guidelines for firing party officials.
A party committee held a hearing on the complaints against Stambaugh in late July and concluded that she had violated party rules that prohibit conduct that “sows discord” and “is not in the best interest of the party.”
Amanda Stevenson Holmes, chairwoman of the Johnson County Democratic Party, told IndyStar in early August that the party was “looking forward and focused on the general election.”
McCray told IndyStar that she and Stambaugh are a “ride-or-die team” and that the situation in Johnson County is an isolated incident.
“These are just friendships that have really broken down, and that has no bearing on my campaign,” said the Senate candidate. “I really can’t live without them.”
Stambaugh’s continued employment on her campaign team does not violate Indiana Democratic Party rules. Campaigns make their own personnel decisions, state party spokesman Sam Barloga said in an email to IndyStar.
McCray is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks and Libertarian candidate Andrew Horning in the Senate race. According to national political experts, Banks is considered the clear favorite for the vacant seat.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at [email protected] or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
