Republican Greenwood Mayoral Candidate Joe Hubbard files for office at the Johnson County Courthouse Friday.
Noah Crenshaw | Daily Journal
Less than a week remains for municipal candidate filing, and local contested races have already begun to take shape.
On Friday, former Center Grove School Board president Joe Hubbard officially threw his hat into the ring for Greenwood mayor, challenging incumbent Mark Myers in the May 3 municipal primary. Hubbard previously served on the Center Grove Community School Board from 2019-2022, where he was board president, and on the Central Nine Career Center Board of Trustees.
Hubbard, a small business owner and U.S. Air Force Veteran, is the owner of ATMs for Veterans and previously worked for Eli Lilly and Co. In a statement, Hubbard said he looked forward to meeting residents and community leaders to understand different viewpoints that could be developed into “common sense solutions.”
His priorities include public safety and protecting local small businesses from large corporations and developers that have “unfairly received massive tax breaks.” He plans to address the “increasing migration of crime from Indianapolis,” according to a news release.
“Greenwood residents are ready for new leadership in the mayor’s office,” Hubbard said in a statement. “I will be the strong leader that Greenwood needs at this very pivotal period for our city.”
Hubbard’s filing was expected as he announced his intent to run against Myers last year. Myers, a former police officer, is seeking his 4th term as mayor.
Over Myer’s tenure, he has seen the city’s industrial areas grow and overseen the $83 million redevelopment of the former Greenwood Middle School. The Greenwood Fieldhouse, which was part of that redevelopment, opened last year. The second half, a mixed-use development dubbed “The Madison” is currently under construction.
The mayoral race is not the only contested race for Greenwood residents this year as Republican voters from across the city will have to decide between at least four candidates for the city’s three at-large city council seats. Incumbent Mike Campbell and three newcomers — Steve Moan, Brian L. Moore and Ronald B. Palmer —have filed so far.
In Franklin, only one contested race has appeared so far in the Republican primary as three candidates have filed for the city council’s two at-large seats: incumbent Shawn Taylor and newcomers Ross O. Shilts and Todd A. Shuck. Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett, also a Republican, is currently unchallenged in his reelection bid, and no challengers have announced an intent to file candidacy.
A total of 8 candidates have filed so far for five at-large seats on Prince’s Lakes Town Council for the Republican primary. Incumbents Greg Nelson and Bryan R. Tearman, along with newcomers Charlie Bourne, Anthony Giger, Richard Giger, Kevin B. Harrison, Lindsey Kelly and James C. Young, have filed for office
For both Greenwood, Bargersville, Whiteland there are potential contested races for their city and town councils in November. Candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parities have filed for seats.
In Greenwood, Democrat Manjit S. Nagra has filed for Greenwood City Council District 3, which is currently held by Republican Michael Williams. Williams has filed for reelection in the Republican primary, and is currently unopposed.
In Whiteland, Democrat Jacquelyn (Jaylen) Marie Withem has filed for one of the town council’s two at-large seats. For the Republican primary, two candidates — incumbents Richard Hill and Joe Sayler have filed.
For Bargersville Town Council’s two at-large seats, two Republicans and one Democrat have filed for office. Republican incumbents Ruth Ann Moore and James Rumell II have filed, along with Democrat Blythe Potter.
