Putnam County
2026 Election Ballot
Congressional Candidates
Drew Cox
Born and raised in Indiana, Drew is the son of a dedicated elementary school teacher with 35 years of service and a fourth-generation farmer. In 2012 he was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. After completing his military service, he used the GI Bill to pursue higher education at Indiana University and went on to earn a doctorate in music from the University of Illinois.
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Drew currently serves as a Visiting Instructor at Purdue University and remains actively involved in his community. He is a proud member of the local Marine Corps League and American Legion Post 11. Drew also performs as a percussionist with both the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and the Lafayette Citizens Band.
In his spare time, Drew recently completed an Associate's of Applied Science in Energy Technology from Ivy Tech Community College. This program deepened his understanding of energy consumption, production, and cost—knowledge he values as incredibly valuable for everyday Hoosiers.
Darin Patrick Griesey
Darin Patrick Griesey is a fourth-generation Hoosier Homestead farm owner, nonprofit consultant, and community development leader from Monticello, Indiana, raised on the banks
of the Tippecanoe River. He holds a Bachelorʼs degree from Purdue University, plus postgraduate certifications in Public Management (Indiana University) and Community Development (Ball State University).
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With over 30 years of professional experience, Darin specializes in community development, rural revitalization, neighborhood organizing, sustainable energy, violence prevention, and continuing education. He has partnered in the past with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to coordinate major federal grant programs that supported local government initiatives in central Indianapolis.
Darin has a track record of public service leadership, including roles as:
- Trustee & Secretary, Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District (10 years)
- Chair, Monticello Spirit Festival (12 years) — the largest two-day festival in White County
- Board Member, White County Farm Bureau (6 years)
- Founder & Chair, Big Monon Basin Conservation Club
- Owner/Instructor, Griesey Farms Equestrian Academy & 4-H Club (Hamilton County)
As an active member of the Democratic Party for over 25 years, Darin has served as a Precinct Committeeman across multiple Indiana counties and been a previous general election
candidate for local, state, and federal office.
Outside of politics and consulting, Darin is a SAG-eligible actor with multiple film and television credits. A dedicated single parent, he is proud of his daughter, currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Darin is passionate about public policy, sustainable development, and transformative leadership—working to turn the dreams of tomorrow into the policies of today.
Thomas Hall
Thomas Hall is a Democrat running to represent Indiana’s 4th Congressional District. Born and raised in Martinsville, Thomas has watched friends, neighbors, and coworkers work harder every year while falling further behind. Wages stayed the same. Prices didn’t. Families did everything right and still slipped into poverty.
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That reality is why Thomas is running.
He’s seen how stagnant pay and rising costs quietly squeeze working people until there’s nothing left to cut. He believes no one who works full-time should struggle to afford housing, food, or healthcare. In Congress, Thomas’s top priority is raising wages across the board so work once again leads to stability, not stress.
Joe Mackey
Joe and his twin Mary were born and grew up in Lafayette. They are the youngest of 8 siblings.
Joe and his wife Tamara have been married 37 years. Tami is a graduate of both IVTC and Purdue University School of Nursing.
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Joe worked in heavy machining for a large engine manufacturer in Lafayette where he retired in 2017.
Joe volunteers with their family foundation named after two of their three children. The Claire E. and Patrich G. Mackey Family Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Over the years Joe has coached youth basketball and ran grade school and middle school youth athletic programs for boys and girls.
It is for the health and wellbeing of everyday Hoosier families that Joe has decided to run for Congress.
John Whetstone
John Whetstone was born and raised in a small trailer park in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he learned the values of hard work, resilience, and community from an early age. His life was shaped by both challenges and opportunities, including the loss of his father while John was still a student at Southmont Senior High School. That experience instilled in him a deep appreciation for family, perseverance, and the importance of building strong support systems in our communities.
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After graduating in 2015, John pursued a career in business management, gaining firsthand experience in leadership, problem-solving, and navigating the pressures faced by small businesses. Along the way, he took a brief break to travel the country competing professionally in Magic: The Gathering, where he built lasting relationships and honed his skills in strategic thinking and teamwork.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives and livelihoods across Indiana, John returned home to Crawfordsville and refocused his efforts on serving his community. He reentered business management before ultimately opening his own small business in his hometown of Crawfordsville. Through that experience, John understands both the opportunities and the struggles of entrepreneurs trying to build something lasting in today’s economy.
Now, John is bringing that same determination and real-world experience to public service. He believes in creating opportunities for working families, supporting small businesses, supports medicare for all, and ensuring that every Hoosier — no matter their background — has a fair shot at the American Dream.
Secretary of State Candidates
Beau Bayh
Beau Bayh is a seventh-generation Hoosier who was raised to believe public service means actually serving the public — not yourself. For Beau, that meant joining the United States Marine Corps. He served as an Infantry Officer, where he rose to the rank of Captain. Following his honorable discharge in 2023, Beau earned a law degree. Following graduation, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk in Bloomington for the Honorable David F. Hamilton on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, gaining valuable experience in election law and securities fraud cases.
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Throughout his career, Beau has been guided by the lessons he learned as a Marine: when facing tough fights, you run toward them, not away from them. That’s how he’ll approach the job of Secretary of State. He’ll immediately clean up the corruption and wasteful spending that has brought so much shame to that office. He’ll also fight to keep our elections secure, free, and fair while working every day to increase voter participation in our state.
Blythe Potter
Blythe Potter is an Army military police combat corps veteran, mother, small business owner, and organizer seeking the democratic party nomination for Indiana’s Secretary of State in 2026. Blythe is also an Emerging Leaders Project, Hoosier Women Forward graduate, and a Precinct Chair who has been active in and around the Johnson County community for over 20 years.
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Blythe understands what it feels like to be frustrated that our government is not working for Hoosiers. As someone who has been impacted by the failed status quo of the insiders in Indianapolis, Blythe wants to empower voters to elect candidates who will work for their best interests, not corporate donors. As your next Secretary of State, Blythe will work for all Hoosiers, focusing on the working class and underserved communities, to ensure voter education and outreach is a priority in all counties.
Followed her @BlythePotterIN on social media.
Indiana Secretary of State does not appear on the May Primary Ballot - instead Democrats in Putnam County will have the option to vote for 7 delegates to send to the state convention and they will vote on the Secretary of State Candidate. To run for delegate please
click here.
Note that delegates must declare before February 6th - so don't wait!.
Indiana House District 44
Kelsey Kauffman
I'm running for Indiana House District 44 because voters who oppose the most extreme policies deserve a voice and a name on the ballot that reflects their values. While I know the odds are steep in a district that voted 75% for Trump, I believe it's worth standing up—out loud and on the record—for core values like due process, compassion, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
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This campaign is about policies and consequences, not personal attacks. I'm running to give Hoosiers concerned about the direction of our state and country a way to register that concern clearly and publicly. Whether you want to volunteer, share your thoughts, or simply stay informed, I welcome your voice in this conversation.
- Kelsey Kauffman, Candidate for Indiana House District 44
Indiana Convention Delegates
Shelby Aguirre
Shelby Aguirre is a Putnam County native, South Putnam graduate, and University of Indianapolis alumna who has dedicated her career to education. As a teacher and ISTA Union representative, she advocates for students and educators across our community. Shelby lives in Greencastle's 4th Ward with her husband, Vince Aguirre, and their two boys, where she continues her lifelong commitment to making Putnam County a better place for working families.
Jayden Cantrell
Floyd East Precinct Chair
My name is Jayden Cantrell. I became the precinct committee person of Floyd East Precinct last year, and I am hoping to attend the state convention as a delegate. My purpose for joining the Putnam County Democrats is to encourage younger people to get out and vote, and make their priorities clear and make their voices heard.
Lynn Forsgren
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Lynn Forsgren and I am running for the privilege of being a Floyd County democratic delegate at the state convention. Born in Anderson, Indiana, I have lived at Heritage Lake for 10 years. I have been a poll worker for the local and national elections. I was a census taker for the 2020 census. I have been active as a volunteer in my community, leading book discussions and as secretary, and then president of the Heritage Lake Garden Club. As a delegate ,I will advocate for candidates and policies that will benefit my neighbors, my community and my state.
Mary Jane Jones
My name is Mary Jane Jones. I grew up in the Midwest and have lived in Indiana since 2001. I currently serve as Marion North Precinct Chair and Outreach deputy chair. I’ve been involved with Putnam County Democrats since November 2024. I am running to attend the 2026 State Democratic Convention. If I am elected, I’m leaning toward supporting Blythe Potter for Secretary of State, and look forward to seeing what exciting candidates we can support for Treasurer and Comptroller.
Grace Long
My name is Grace Long and I am looking to attend the 2026 State Democratic Convention. I am the Putnam County Young Democrats deputy chair and I have been involved with the party since November of 2024. I am so excited to have a chance to have this incredible opportunity!
Kevin Verhoff
Hey y'all! I'm Kevin Verhoff. I grew up in a working-class family in small-town Ohio and am proud to call Indiana—and Greencastle—home. I am a father, husband, volunteer, activist, and education data analyst.
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I’ve been involved in politics since I was in high school and currently serve as a precinct chair and resident data expert for the Putnam County Democrats. As an educator, my work is grounded in empowering others and building community capacity for lasting change. If elected to represent Putnam County at the state convention, I will support Blythe Potter for Secretary of State and advocate for the Indiana Democratic Party to fix the broken Republican property tax system, roll back GOP Medicaid cuts, and address Indiana’s rising cost of living.
