Overview of the 2018 Indiana Election Cycle
The 2018 general election took place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Primaries were held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. This page provides verified candidate profiles, offices contested, filing dates, and confirmed outcomes for federal, statewide, and legislative races in Indiana. All details reflect finalized results from the Indiana Secretary of State and relevant county canvassing boards.
Use this reference to understand who was on the ballot, which candidates advanced from each primary, and how races were decided in Indiana in 2018. Information is presented in an evergreen format to remain useful for research, reporting, and civic education.
Federal Offices Contested in 2018
U.S. Senate
One Class I U.S. Senate seat was on the 2018 ballot. Incumbent Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, sought reelection but was defeated by Republican Mike Braun. Libertarian Lucy Brenton also appeared on the general ballot. The winner was officially certified in December 2018 following the statewide canvass.
U.S. House of Representatives
All nine Indiana U.S. House districts held elections in 2018. Incumbents in several districts faced challengers in the primary and general. Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 saw contested general elections, while District 9 was widely considered safe for the incumbent party. Results were certified by county boards and the Indiana Secretary of State in November and December 2018.
Statewide Executive Offices
The Indiana ballot in 2018 included races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state auditor. All statewide nominees were chosen via primary elections in May 2018. The general election results for these offices were certified in December 2018, with party affiliations and vote totals recorded by the Indiana Election Division.
Legislative Races and Ballot Measures
Indiana State Senate
Approximately half of the Indiana State Senate seats were up in 2018. Candidates filed by party deadlines in early 2018, and primary winners advanced to the general. Party control remained unchanged after the election, with results certified at the county and state level.
Indiana House of Representatives
All 100 Indiana House seats were contested in 2018. As a full chamber election, outcomes shifted party balance in some districts. Certified results are maintained by the Indiana Secretary of State and serve as the official record for each district.
Candidate Filing and Primary Timeline
Filing deadlines for primary candidates occurred in early 2018. The Democratic and Republican parties held separate nominating contests on May 8, 2018. Runoff primaries, where required, were conducted according to Indiana law. The following table summarizes key dates for candidate filing and primary activities.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate Filing Deadline (Partisan) | February 9, 2018 | Certified by Secretary of State |
| Primary Election | May 8, 2018 | Completed |
| General Election | November 6, 2018 | Completed |
| Results Certification | December 2018 | Finalized by county and state |
How to Verify This Information
Race-specific results, candidate lists, and official vote totals can be confirmed through the Indiana Secretary of State election website and county canvassing board records. These sources provide the most reliable documentation of who ran, who won, and how votes were counted in 2018. Cross referencing these materials ensures accuracy and supports transparency in civic reporting.
Districts and Notable Outcomes
Certain races drew statewide attention due to competitive dynamics or shifts in party control. In U.S. House races, incumbents from both parties secured reelection in safe districts, while open seats and district flips illustrated changing voter preferences. At the state legislative level, a balanced mix of competitive and uncontested races produced a General Assembly composition that largely reflected pre-election trends.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana held partisan primaries on May 8, 2018, with a general election on November 6, 2018.
- Federal races included one U.S. Senate seat and all nine U.S. House districts.
- All statewide executive offices were contested, with winners certified in December 2018.
- Legislative races covered both chambers, with results recorded by official canvassing authorities.
- Ballot access and filing deadlines followed Indiana election law timelines for major parties.
FAQ
Reader questions
When were Indiana primary elections in 2018?
The primary elections occurred on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Party nominees were decided on that date, with any necessary runoffs conducted under Indiana’s runoff primary rules.
Who won the U.S. Senate race in Indiana in 2018?
Republican Mike Braun won the U.S. Senate seat in Indiana in 2018, defeating incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in the general election. Certification followed the statewide canvass in December 2018.
Were there any ballot measures in the 2018 Indiana election?
Indiana typically includes statutory ballot questions and constitutional amendments on even-year ballots. Specific measures for 2018 should be verified through the Indiana Secretary of State’s official ballot summary archives.