Three file for District 33 seat

In the first couple of days of filing, District 33 already had three candidates.

Incumbent Republican J.D. Prescott, Democrat John Bartlett and Republican Greg LeMaster all filed last week to run for their party’s nomination for state representative in District 33.

Prescott, a rural Union City resident, had already announced that he would be seeking re-election. He will be trying for his fourth term in office.

“It’s been an honor to serve,” said Prescott, “and I look forward to going out and talking to the voters to seek another opportunity to do so.”

A rural Union City resident, his legislation this year includes tax issues regarding 529 college savings accounts, designation of the state nickname in recognition of Harry Hoosier, a change to the way agricultural buildings are assessed for tax purposes and security of public property and decorum at public meetings.

LeMaster, a Portland-based attorney, will challenge Prescott in the GOP primary. He has ran twice for public office, falling to Democrat Wes Schemenaur for Jay County prosecutor in 2010 and 2016.

“I see issues where the state and the communities really need to start focusing on the basic building blocks of society, which are Hoosier families,” LeMaster said. 

“I kind of think every law that we pass needs to look at what is the effect on Hoosier families.”

He noted key issues as self-driving vehicles and the impact on trucking jobs, other new technologies and housing.

Bartlett is a rural Blackford County resident who has worked in information technology for about 30 years. He lost to Prescott in the 2022 general election by a 70.2%-29.8% margin.

“When you look at the demographics, rural Indiana never recovered from the Great Recession of 2008,” said Bartlett in a press release. “In fact, life has gotten worse in many aspects. The Republicans have held a majority in both houses of the legislature since 2010 and a super majority since 2012, and they have done nothing to improve the economy in rural Indiana.”

He identified key issues as public health and safety, and the need to invest in the state’s small towns and rural areas.