A Bold New Era: Hamilton County Democrats Usher in Fresh Leadership and Renewed Focus

“We’re going to be everywhere, all the time,” declared new Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Josh Lowry in his acceptance speech at the March 1 party reorganization meeting, signaling a bold new era for the fastest-growing county Democratic party in the state.

Lowry, who in 2024 ran a powerhouse campaign for State Representative in district 24 (including portions of Westfield and Sheridan), is joined by new Vice Chair Meredith Fox, Treasurer Jim Harter, and Secretary Aimee Rivera Cole. One hundred and eighteen precinct chairs from across the county gathered in Fishers to elect the new leadership.

The next public election in the county will be in May 2026, and party leadership plans to use that time to work on communications infrastructure, fundraising, and building its community. “We want to reach out and let people know they are welcome,” Lowry added.

In other business, the party adopted two resolutions thanking and honoring past chairs Jocelyn Vare, who served from 2024 to 2025, and Dayna Colbert, who served from 2021 to 2024.

Guest Speakers: Focus on Community and Values

The first of two guest speakers was State Representative Dr. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, who was recently reelected in district 32, which includes portions of Fishers and Carmel.

“We pledge allegiance to a flag; we do not pledge allegiance to a dictator,” Wilburn began her fiery and fact-filled address. She enumerated her priorities, including health care, public schools, green space, farmers, physicians, and livable wages, and contrasted them with those of House Speaker Todd Huston, who has focused on renaming the Gulf of Mexico and attempting to annex counties from southern Illinois. “Really?” she asked in exasperation.

Wilburn provided a legislative update from the statehouse, where she serves on the House Judiciary Committee. Republicans, she said, are focused on bad bills that don’t save any money, and they are not asking anyone how the legislation will affect their constituents.

“They want you to be angry. They want you to lose your mind. But it is a game,” Wilburn said. “Stay focused on what matters to your community. Fight hate with love.”

Also speaking was Dr. Anita Joshi, who was elected to the Carmel City Council in 2024, representing the West district (you can read her updates here). “Care and compassion and kindness still wins every day,” she said. “Hate in your heart will damage you and keep you from being effective.”