Vaughn, Fell Win Vigo Prosecutor, Sheriff Races

Democrat Johnny Vaughn defeated Republican Prosecutor Terry Modesitt, and Democratic Sheriff Derek Fell beat Republican Steve Ellis on Tuesday, Nov. 3, WTHI reported. Vaughn received 14,116 votes, or 51.41%, to Modesitt's 13,340, or 48.59%, in final unofficial Vigo County results. Modesitt was first elected prosecutor in 2006 and was seeking a sixth term, according to WTHI. Fell received 17,750 votes, or 64.14%, to 9,923 for Ellis, or 35.86%. WTHI reported the race was Fell's first election win. He became sheriff through a caucus after former Sheriff Jon Plasse died in 2023. Vigo County voters cast 28,014 ballots, a turnout of 40.08% of 69,901 registered voters, according to the county's final election-night report, posted at 9:00 p.m. EST with all 87 precincts reporting. All results are unofficial. County election officials have up to 10 days to complete the canvass. County races Republican Mark A. Clinkenbeard finished ahead of Democrat Lynn Ann Morales in the final unofficial count for County Commissioner District 1, 14,854 votes (54.28%) to 12,511 (45.72%). County Council results in the final unofficial count:

• District 1: Republican David M. Thompson finished ahead of Democrat Kimberly "Kim" Curley, 4,241 (53.52%) to 3,683 (46.48%).
• District 2: Democrat Nancy S. Allsup finished ahead of Republican Anthony Rubinacci, 2,941 (52.66%) to 2,644 (47.34%).
• District 3: Democrat Vicki Weger finished ahead of Republican Tim Fears, 3,201 (58.19%) to 2,300 (41.81%).
• District 4: Democrat D. Mark Minnick finished ahead of Republican Dustin "Dusty" Havens, 4,384 (53.08%) to 3,875 (46.92%).

In Vigo Superior Court Division 5, Democrat Matthew Anthony Sheehan finished ahead of Republican Robert E. "Rob" Roberts, 13,960 (51.41%) to 13,195 (48.59%). Democrat Lakshmi "Lucky" Reddy ran unopposed in Division 2 and received 19,854 votes. Two Democrats also ran without opponents. County Surveyor Bruce W. Allen received 19,601 votes, and County Assessor Kevin Gardner received 19,383. School board In the at-large School Board District 1-1 race, Chase C. Nattkemper finished ahead with 11,271 votes (45.54%), followed by Carey LaBella with 7,051 (28.49%) and Imer Damar Holman with 6,429 (25.97%). In District 5, Rick Burger finished ahead of Rosemarie Scott, 11,373 (52.76%) to 10,182 (47.24%). Jenny Norris in District 2 and Ken Warner in District 4 ran unopposed. Congress and the Statehouse Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer kept his 8th District seat, defeating Democrat Mary Allen, 14 News reported. Allen carried Vigo County, 14,816 votes (53.96%) to 12,640 (46.04%). Districtwide, Messmer led 79,891 to 62,658 on the state results site as of 9:35 p.m. EST. Vigo County results in state legislative races, with districtwide counts still being finished as of 9:35 p.m. EST and no races called by a news outlet:

• Senate District 38: Republican Greg Goode 15,297 (55.70%), Democrat Kacey Blundell 12,167 (44.30%).
• House District 42: Republican Tim R. Yocum 2,555 (58.02%), Democrat Brandi Vandivier 1,849 (41.98%).
• House District 43: Democrat Tonya Pfaff 10,268 (64.66%), Republican Amy Lore 5,612 (35.34%).
• House District 45: Republican Kellie E. Streeter 719 (67.96%), Democrat Rebecca "Becky" Mayfield 339 (32.04%).
• House District 46: Republican Bob Heaton 3,557 (57.85%), Democrat James H. "Jimmy" Pittsford III 2,592 (42.15%).

Statewide races The Secretary of State race between Republican Max Engling and Democrat Beau Bayh was still being counted statewide as of 9:40 p.m. EST, and no news outlet had called it. In Vigo County, Bayh received 15,526 votes (56.48%) to Engling's 10,490 (38.16%), with 873 for Greg Ballard of the Lincoln Party and 602 for Libertarian Lauri A. Shillings. Public Question 1 would amend the state constitution to let courts deny bail in more cases when the state shows no release conditions would protect public safety. Vigo voters backed it 15,832 (59.81%) to 10,640 (40.19%). Public Question 2 would let a city or town court judge live in the county where the court sits or in the closest bordering Indiana county. Vigo voters backed it 16,926 (64.00%) to 9,521 (36.00%).