With less than a month before the May 8 primary election, the race for Marion County Sheriff is heating up.
Former U.S. Marshal Kerry Forestal and former IMPD Deputy Chief William “Bill” Benjamin are running for the Democratic nomination.
This contest is important because the winner of the primary is also likely to win the general election in November and replace outgoing Sheriff John Layton, a Democrat who cannot run again because of term limits. Democrats outnumber Republicans in Marion County.
Indy Politics analyst Abdul-Hakim Shabazz summed up the campaign by saying, “While Forrestal enjoys much ‘establishment’ support, Benjamin is well known in the African-American community and has much of their support.”
Forestal, who was most recently a lieutenant colonel with the Sheriff’s Office, is endorsed by the powerful Marion County Democratic organization and supported by officials such as Mayor Joe Hogsett and retired Sheriff Frank Anderson, the first African-American elected to the position.
Benjamin, a 28-year IMPD veteran who is now director of security for Tindley Schools, has built an energetic grassroots campaign.
However, a key factor of success for both candidates is the financial strength of their campaigns. Campaign finance reports filed in January with the Marion County Clerk’s Office show Forestal raised $227,647 while Benjamin raised $9,915. The finance reports offer a clear view of who is powering the candidates for sheriff.
Democratic numbers
Forestal received individual contributions ranging from $50 to $2,000 from influential Democrats such as former state party chair Ann Delaney, former county chairmen Kip Tew and Ed Treacy, and prominent attorney Lacy Johnson.
A political action committee funded by the local Sikh community provided $5,000. Last Chance Wrecker and Sales, a company that won city contracts to tow vehicles, gave $500 to Forestal’s campaign. He also received hefty sums from corporate donors such as Monarch Beverage and Barnes and Thornburg law firm. Unions such as AFSCME, Firefighters Local 416, the IBEW and Teamsters Local 135 also offer solid support.
Benjamin received donations ranging between $1,000 and $3,000 from State Sen. Greg Taylor, cleaning company owners Mike and Lynn Montgomery and Sgt. Todd Lapin, an IMPD investigator and member of the Task Force on Human Trafficking.
State Rep. John Bartlett and former City-County Council members Paul Bateman and Sherron Freeman also donated to Benjamin’s campaign.
Republican numbers
Marion County has become solidly Democratic over the last decade, but three Republicans are running for the GOP nomination. They include IMPD detective Brian Durham, Sheriff’s deputy Jim Grimes and Southport Police Chief Tom Vaughn.
Durham is backed by the Marion County Republican Party and raised $21,449 during the last reporting period. More than half of Durham’s individual contributions that period came from people who live outside Marion County. His major donors include Pathfinder CPA Group and Stables Banquet Barn, an event center.
Grimes has mostly self funded his campaign and raised $31,670. State Sen. Brent Waltz contributed $250 to his campaign. Vaughn raised $6,981, with his largest contribution being $1,000 from Zore’s Towing.
Fascinating findings
Former Public Safety Director Robert Turner made $500 contributions to both the Benjamin and Forestal campaigns.
Grimes’ campaign gave a $250 donation to the Ten Point Coalition, a predominantly African-American crime reduction organization.
Retired Sheriff Joe McAtee, the last living Republican to serve in the position, did not endorse any of the GOP candidates. He has contributed $1,200 to Democrat Forestal.
Security companies such as Stalnaker Security Services, Protection Plus and Home Security Specialist contributed to Forestal’s campaign.
Durham has the backing of bail-bonding enterprises such as American Bonding Co. and Judge Bail Bonding.
Contact Brandon Perry at (317) 924-5143 ext. 308. Follow him on Twitter
@BrandonPerry117.
Campaign finance reports explained
