Incumbent Rep. Bob Heaton, R-46, will win Tuesday's Republican primary for Indiana House District 46, the Associated Press called. He will face Democratic candidate Jimmy Pittsford in the general election on Nov. 3.
Heaton held 69% of the vote with 82% of ballots against opponent Thomas Arthur on Tuesday evening.
Heaton has represented District 46, which includes Ellettsville, Spencer and western parts of Monroe County, since 2010. A native of Clay City, Indiana, Heaton played basketball at Indiana State University and has served as president of Heaton Financial Services since 2003.
Heaton’s platforms include tax cuts, passing pro-life legislation, funding Indiana schools and advocating for small businesses and rural communities.
His primary opponent, Arthur, is an educator serving as principal of Owen Valley Middle School in Spencer, Indiana. Arthur previously held public office as mayor of Brazil, Indiana, and as a city council member.
Some of the bills Heaton filed this January include House Bill 1316, which prohibits government discrimination against adoptive services, adoptive parents and foster parents who provide services or raise their adopted children in line with their religious beliefs. He also filed a bill to make it a misdemeanor for massage establishments to employ massagers who don’t have professional liability insurance.
The general election will be held Nov. 3.
