Porter County GOP Chairman Nate Uldricks will likely face Democratic incumbent Rodney Pol Jr. this November in the Indiana Senate District 4 race.
Uldricks was ahead of Johannes Poulard in the GOP primary on Tuesday, according to unofficial election tallies. In Porter County, Uldricks had almost 79% of the votes.
“I wish my opponent all the best,” Uldricks said of Poulard.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” he said, to hear the results. “It’s a relief.”
Poulard, upon hearing the election results from the Post-Tribune, said, “Wow, I got that much? That’s even more than last time I ran.”
“I probably could have won if I had been able to put more effort into my campaign,” he said. “I’m going to try my hand at it again next time, in 2030.”
Uldricks said he plans to meet people, listening to their day-to-day concerns and aspirations.
“I’m looking to do a flip. Those are never easy,” he said.
Pol, who was unopposed, said the primary results for state legislative races bode well for Democrats in November.
Between people upset with President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith – “the lieutenant governor out there picking fights with high school kids” – and NIPSCO prices, people just want change, Pol said.
The trifecta of serious concerns is affecting votes, he said.
“It’s not even just pissed off. It’s people who literally can’t afford not to be pissed off,” he said.
“That’s a massive problem,” Pol said.
He plans to continue getting out and about to hear concerns. With state Reps. Randy Novak and Chuck Moseley, he’s been busy getting around to various events.
“I don’t think anybody has held as many town halls as we have. Wherever we’re needed, we’re there to answer questions,” he said.
Looking to November’s challenge against Uldricks, Pol sees concerns about the economy and Uldricks’ support of Trump as helping Pol’s chances of winning. “From my perspective, he’s worked very, very closely with Trump. My constituents, I don’t think they appreciate $6 gas” and endless war, he said.
Looking to races beyond his own, Uldricks said his team supported every Republican candidate, including holding training sessions. “The candidates worked hard. They showed up, which is great.”
In the fall, without a presidential election, the midterms will be totally about turnout. Voters need to realize, “Hey, this is an election. There are great stakes in this,” Uldricks said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
