86th District Race Pits 58-Year-Old Realtor Against 83-Year-Old Incumbent

Indians in House District 86 will vote in November to decide who represents the Traders Point and Meridian Hills neighborhoods in the state legislature. The race features two candidates with distinct professional backgrounds: Glenn Bill, a 58-year-old real estate broker, and Edward DeLaney, the 83-year-old incumbent representative.

Bill, a Republican, has spent nearly 40 years in real estate with the Glenn Bill Group at eXp Realty. He identifies his top priorities as affordability, securing state funding for Marion County, and increasing government transparency. Bill argues that rising property taxes and housing costs burden families, seniors, and small businesses. He advocates for property tax relief and claims District 86 residents deserve a larger share of state resources for road and infrastructure maintenance.

DeLaney, a Democrat, has served as the district's representative and previously worked as a chair of the Indiana Development Finance Authority under Governor Evan Bayh in the 1990s. His recent legislative work has focused on the economy, education, reentry, and immigration rights. He currently serves on the House Committees on Ways and Means and Education. According to campaign materials, his approach involves continuing to work on these established policy areas.

Both candidates responded to a survey regarding data center development in Indiana. Bill supports responsible development but opposes automatic tax incentives. He wants each project evaluated on its merits to ensure companies pay fair shares of infrastructure and energy costs. DeLaney’s campaign materials highlight his experience with economic development, though he did not provide a specific survey response on data centers in this guide.

Affordability remains a central theme for both men. Bill links housing costs to broader financial pressures, noting that high property taxes often get passed to renters and consumers. He plans to examine regulations that drive up housing costs. DeLaney’s focus on the economy and education suggests a similar concern for household budgets, though his specific platform details in this guide are limited to his committee work and past roles.

The district covers a portion of north and northwest Marion County. The Indiana House of Representatives has 100 members who work with the governor and state senate to create laws and set the budget. Seats are elected every two years, and there is no term limit for representatives. Voters in this district will choose between Bill and DeLaney to fill the seat for the next two-year term.