Incumbent Erika Oliphant is projected to win the midterm primary election against challenger Benjamin Arrington on Tuesday.
Oliphant held 72.29% of the vote as of Tuesday evening. The unofficial results did not include provisional ballots, which usually account for a small number of the total votes cast.
The Monroe County prosecutor reviews cases submitted by law enforcement, determines what charges to file and represents the state in legal proceedings. Indiana prosecutors have discretion in the handling of cases and whether a case is dismissed.
Oliphant was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. According to her website, she increased grant funding for prosecution of domestic violence and sex crimes in Monroe County and founded the county’s High Tech Crime Unit, which processes digital forensic evidence for 11 counties.
Her campaign focused on training and retaining staff, continuing to evaluate and expand diversion opportunities to reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses and collaborating with other parts of the criminal justice system to resolve criminal cases.
The Monroe County Pretrial Diversion Program allows low-level offenders to avoid a criminal conviction on their record by earning a dismissal of the charge through meeting requirements, such as completion of a substance abuse education class.
“My vision for a third term builds on a number of accomplishments I have already made in the role. These achievements over the last seven years in office demonstrate my commitment to community safety, compassionate justice, and constitutional values,” Oliphant said in a January 7 press release.
Oliphant received her bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees from Indiana University.
There is no Republican candidate for Monroe County prosecutor. Oliphant will run uncontested in November’s general election.
