Four candidates are hoping to represent the Republican Party in the run for mayor of Fort Wayne in November.
The City of Fort Wayne hasn’t had a Republican mayor since Paul Helmke in 1999.
Among the hopefuls trying to change that are Bob Bastian, Bill Collins, and Frederick Osheskie.
But the candidate likely considered the front runner is long-time politician Mitch Harper. He was first elected to City Council’s 4th District in 2007, and served 12 years in the General Assembly before that.
Andrew Downs from the non-partisan Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics says so many candidates on the primary ballot changes the campaign.
“If you have three people, you suddenly only need 33 percent plus one, if you have four, 25 plus one could give you the victory," says Downs, "and that could mean finding some sort of small niche is how you’re gonna find that victory. “
The primary election is May 5th.