Hershberger wins sheriff showdown; some incumbents ousted in primary vote

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - The Republican nominee to succeed the current sheriff in Allen County is the chief deputy in the department, with Troy Hershberger securing his place on the November ballot on Tuesday.

Hershberger defeated Fort Wayne Police Capt. Mitch McKinney by eight points with all precincts reporting. He will meet another Fort Wayne Police captain, Kevin Hunter, who ran unopposed for the Democratic spot on the fall ballot.

The winner of that race will be tasked with helping guide the Allen County Jail through a difficult transition -- likely to an entirely new facility -- after a federal judge issued a scathing order calling out the facility for inadequate staffing and outdated facilities.

Elsewhere Tuesday, some incumbents found themselves on the short end of the ballot count. In a clash of two state representatives that was brought on by redistricting, Rep. Craig Snow easily outpaced Rep. Curt Nisly for the District 22 GOP nomination. Challenger Lorissa Sweet ran on a “life, liberty and limited government” platform to oust fellow Republican Dan Leonard in House District 50.

A closely watched State Senate race saw Parkview physician Dr. Tyler Johnson secure the District 14 Republican nomination. East Allen County School Board member Ron Turpin was also in that contest.

On the Democratic ballot, Gary Snyder appeared to secure the nomination in Indiana’s Third Congressional District. He will challenge incumbent US Rep. Jim Banks in November.

A three-way race for the Democratic nod in State House District 82 saw Kyle Miller leading Melissa Rinehart and Kathy Zoucha by double digits, with votes still being tabulated.

Copyright 2022 Fort Wayne’s NBC. All rights reserved.