2026 Bartholomew County
​Democratic Candidates
​Click here for State Candidates

Grant Hale
​County Commissioner District 2

Grant graduated from DePauw University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and French and from Dartmouth College with a master’s degree in Cultural Studies.  Following two years in the Peace Corps in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Grant became a Foreign Service Officer at the US Agency for International Development in Washington DC and southeast Afghanistan before working 5 years at Cummins. Grant then became a stay at home dad and has now worked in education since 2022. 

Lisa Crane​
​County Council District 1

Zack Patchett​
County Council District 2

Zack Patchett has lived in Columbus since 2013 when his family moved from Colorado for work at Cummins. As a high schooler, Zack found a new home at Columbus East High School and connected with the larger community of Bartholomew County while working at the downtown Dairy Queen. After graduating in 2016, Zack left Columbus to attend Purdue University in West Lafayette. He returned spring 2020, and graduated from home with a BS in Applied Statistics and a minor in Management. Since returning to Columbus, Zack has gained practical problem solving experience both in the corporate world and in the community having spent many hours attending council and commission meetings, community engagement events, and using his voice and time to speak up for marginalized communities in Bartholomew County. His platform is built upon affordable housing for all, renewable and clean energy sources, transparency in local government, and paying county employees a competitive wage. At Purdue, Zack met the brilliant and beautiful phycologist (water scientist) Grace Gusler, who he married under Henry Moore’s Large Arch in front of the Bartholomew County Library in 2023. They reside on the north side of Columbus with their two cats Moose and Mongo.
Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-zack-patchett-1

Janae Garner-Kelley
County Council District 3

I have lived in Columbus for 6+ years working and volunteering within many non-profit organizations. My original goal was to become a therapist, but I realized that many stressors people go to counseling for are tangible and fixable through systemic change. Realizing this, I pivoted from my bachelor's degree in psychology and obtained a graduate law degree from Indiana University with the goal of supporting everyday people through policy and service.

I am running for County Council District 3 as a passionate and competent resident who wants the best for the county, not just the few or the familiar. Work with me to make that a reality.

Michelle Carr
​County Council District 4

Michelle Carr has been a lifelong resident of Bartholomew County, Indiana. She has dedicated her work career to jobs which involved customer service and volunteering within our community. Most of her volunteer time involves grassroots environmental work as she is passionate about everyone being able to explore and enjoy nature. She has two LGBTQ+ children who have inspired her to run in order to protect the youth in our county from discrimination and the school to prison pipeline. She knows that the biggest change happens when people work together and hopes you will help her to create change within our county. 
Three Key Focuses: Sustainability  Health of our County Parks Protecting Our Youth from Discrimination and the School to Prison Pipeline​ ​Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-michelle-1

Quisha Jackson
​County Clerk

Kimberly Wadholm
​County Auditor

I grew up in rural Wisconsin and lived in North Dakota before moving to Indiana in 2017, carrying with me a deep appreciation for civic life in communities where government is personal, local, and rooted in relationships. Today, I live and work in downtown Columbus, where I am committed to helping strengthen the place I call home.

For the past eight years, I have worked in nonprofit operations, building systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and community impact. After earning a bookkeeping certificate from Ivy Tech in 2021, I have expanded my financial management knowledge through experience at local nonprofits, including the Columbus Area Arts Council, where I currently work.

​I am running for County Auditor because I believe government is not something separate from us. It is something we build together. Many feel cynical, overwhelmed, and disconnected from government. But we cannot afford to give up on civic life. Every generation has a responsibility to leave its communities better than before. I believe I can make local government more effective, understandable, and functional for the world we live in today.

Website: https://www.voteforkimberly.org/

Nancy Merbitz
​County Recorder

Dr. Nancy Merbitz is running for Bartholomew County Recorder because she knows it’s important to serve the public and to protect institutions that serve the public.

Americans have always known that one-party rule weakens accountability. When the same people and the same party run a county for 40 years, they don’t answer to the people anymore.

​A native-born Hoosier, Nancy returned to Indiana after retiring from the Cleveland VA medical center where she was a staff psychologist serving Veterans with physical disabilities and PTSD.

Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/campaign-to-elect-nancy-merbitz-2#

Liz Celand
​County Treasurer

Kim DeClue
Clifty Creek Township Trustee

Paul Hoffman
​Columbus Township Trustee

Why did I choose to run for Columbus Township Trustee? 
Because I want to end the cycle of corruption that’s been going on in this office (and several other trustee offices in the county) for years — corruption that has stolen more than $1 million of our hard earned money that was supposed to go to helping those in need.
I’m committed to restoring transparency and efficiency within this office, so that we will be better stewards of our tax dollars, provide aid to the increasing number of people who need it, and provide it quicker.
With a background in leading a department, as well as being part of committees that provide assistance to those in need, I have the qualifications to work with my fellow team members — trustee office employees and township advisory board — to accomplish our goals.
Website: https://paulforcolumbus.com

Steve Shoettmer​
Sandcreek Township Trustee

Stephanie Carmer
​Columbus Township Trustee Advisory Board

Sandra Crawford
​Columbus Township Trustee Advisory Board

David Spear
​Columbus Township Trustee Advisory Board

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