Mears, Williams, and Bell win reelection in Marion County

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears won a third term on Tuesday. The Democrat defeated Republican challenger Philip Foust by nearly 30 percentage points, according to unofficial results. Mears, who was appointed to the office in 2019, first won reelection in 2022. The office decides which criminal cases go to Marion County Superior Court and maintains public safety.

The race drew attention from state officials. Gov. Mike Braun endorsed Foust on Oct. 28. Braun and other Republican state leaders criticized Mears during the campaign, saying he offers weak plea deals. Mears disagreed and said he wants to use the justice system as a point of intervention. The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police also backed Foust after holding a no-confidence vote in Mears. Foust focused his campaign on juvenile crime and tougher sentencing for repeat offenders. It has been 16 years since a Republican held the prosecutor's seat.

Kelvis Williams will become the next Marion County sheriff. The Democrat defeated Republican Tom Vaughn by around 31 percentage points. Williams replaces Sheriff Kerry Forestal, who could not run for reelection due to term limits. Forestal is running for Indiana Senate District 31. Williams defeated Gregory Patrick in his party's primary before facing Vaughn in the general election.

The sheriff oversees security at government buildings, courts, and the county jail. Williams will inherit a jail capped at 2,400 people by the City-County Council budget. The jail stopped holding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees beyond 48 hours after reaching capacity in January. The sheriff serves a four-year term that begins Jan. 1, 2027.

Kate Sweeney Bell won her second term as Marion County clerk. The Democrat defeated Robbin Stewart, a Republican who previously ran for the Indiana House of Representatives in 2010. Bell said her day one objective is to continue serving voters and providing them the best voting experience in the state. She plans to strengthen election security in her second term. The office is working to achieve federal certification with new election equipment, and she hopes to roll that out for the 2027 primary election.

Kenneth Allen won a full term as Center Township constable. The Democrat beat independent challenger Melvin Major Hall II with nearly 81 percent of the vote. Allen was originally chosen by Center Township Democratic precinct committee members in November 2024 to fill a vacancy. Hall sued Allen in Marion Superior Court in August, alleging Allen lived in a Lawrence Township house owned by his wife. Allen later testified that he now lives in a downtown apartment within the township.