Hoosiers have been able to file to run for office at the local or state level since Jan. 5.

While some declared their candidacy as soon as they could, the field for this year’s election keeps growing.

May 3 is the date for the primary election, and the general election is Nov. 8.

Indiana Ninth District Congressman Trey Hollingsworth announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election. He has served the district since 2017.

Less than 24 hours later, state District 47 Sen. Erin Houchin, a Salem Republican, announced she is seeking the Republican nomination for Hollingworth’s current position.

“As a proven conservative fighter, I have always stood up for our Hoosier values and individual liberties, protected our Second Amendment rights, defended the unborn and protected the integrity of our elections,” Houchin said in a news release issued Thursday morning.

“I’ve fought to keep our families and communities safe, standing firm with the brave men and women in law enforcement and holding criminals accountable for their actions.”

Houchin lives in Salem with her husband, Dustin, and their three children. Indiana Senate District 47 includes Crawford, Orange, Harrison and Washington counties and the eastern part of Dubois County.

All of Jackson County is within Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District along with 17 other counties.

“Now is the time for proven conservative leadership to retake the House of Representatives and our country, and I look forward to joining the fight,” Houchin said.

A newcomer to the county’s election process is Jake Brown, a pharmacist who lives in the Brownstown area. He filed to run for the District 2 Jackson County Council seat as a Republican. That seat is presently held by Republican Mark Hackman.

The only other person running for Jackson County Council at the moment is Brian Thompson, the current District 3 councilman.

Jackson Superior Court II Judge Bruce MacTavish also is running for re-election. He is the court’s first and only judge since it was established in 2008. That court handles divorces, juvenile delinquency, protective orders, child support and other similar cases.

The only contested race at the county level so far is for sheriff. Current Jackson County Sheriff Rick Meyer is running against Seymour native and Jennings County officer Shawn Minton.

Another contested race, although at the state level, is for Indiana House of Representatives District 69. That office is currently held by Seymour Republican Jim Lucas, who has served the district since 2012 and is running for re-election.

Indiana House District 73 Representative J. Michael Davisson of Salem announced Sunday he is running for the District 69 seat after redistricting last year redrew district lines.