Robbins is ruled ineligible for ballot

One of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the District 33 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives has been knocked off the ballot, The Palladium-Item of Richmond reported Tuesday.

Cheryl Ashley Robbins, Winchester, has been ruled ineligible by the Indiana Election Commission because she has voted as a Republican in past primary elections.

She was expected to face Winchester Mayor Shon Byrum in the May primary. Two Republicans — Jenae Blasel of rural Portland and J.D. Prescott of rural Union City — are seeking the GOP nomination for that seat, which represents all of Jay and Randolph counties and part of Delaware County.

Current State Rep. Greg Beumer, R-Modoc, has chosen not to seek re-election. He has held the seat since taking over for fellow Republican Bill Davis, who resigned in 2013 to lead the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

The Richmond newspaper said the candidacy of Robbins had been questioned by Fred Davis, a former Democratic Party chairman in Randolph County.

“She didn’t follow the rules, she shouldn’t be allowed to run,” Davis told The Palladium-Item. “It’s nothing against her, there are just rules. She didn’t follow them.”

Robbins had voted in the Republican primary in 2016, and state law requires that under those circumstances she would need to have the permission of the Democratic Party county chair in order to be on the ballot.

The decision by the Indiana Election Commission was unanimous, but Robbins has the right to appeal.