Opinion: Not a few Blue Dots in a Red Sea

Dear Readers,

Too many Hendricks County Democrats have long believed they’re a blue dot in a red sea, and too many have stayed home because of it. This election season, the evidence says it’s time to retire that belief.

Look who has been showing up. In October, the Hendricks County Democrats posted on Facebook 23 times to the Republicans’ 8 (as of 10/21/26) and on Instagram 10 times to 1. Our Democratic pages have more followers on both platforms. In the race for Congress, Democratic nominee Drew Cox posted 30 times in October. Congressman Jim Baird posted 8 times across September and October combined. Democrats also put up two billboards and the Young Democrats hosted three fundraisers for IN Statehouse Candidates Tiffany Stoner, Will Colteryahn, and Karen Whitney. (Credit where it’s due: the Young Republicans hosted a Brownsburg School Funding Fireside Chat with Representative Cash & Thompson.)

When The Republican put together its election guide, 44 Republican candidates didn’t participate, compared with one Democrat. Democrats also contributed additional sponsorship money to support it as well as purchasing additional advertisement space. Voters deserve to hear from every candidate, and this year Democrats are making that effort.

None of this is just noise. In 2024, nearly 39 percent of Hendricks County voters chose the Democratic candidate for governor, more than 31,000 of our neighbors. That’s roughly four in ten voters, a large share of this county by any measure. The distance between where we are and a competitive county isn’t a persuasion gap. It’s a turnout gap. In 2024, only 64 percent of registered voters in our county cast a ballot, which means more than one in three stayed home. That gap grows every time a voter decides their ballot won’t matter.

Whatever color you call Hendricks County, it is not a lost cause. It is an under-voted one. A county where four in ten voters already choose Democrats, and where Democrats are working hard to be seen and heard, can be competitive.

Election Day is November 3. Check your registration, make a plan, and vote. Your ballot matters here.

Sincerely,
Darci James
Chair, Communications Committee
Hendricks County Democratic Party