What was a three-way Republican race to serve Wayne County in the Indiana House of Representatives is now down to two.
Adam Blanton announced Wednesday, March 18, on his campaign’s social media page that he’s decided not to pursue his candidacy for House District 56 further.
He said ending his campaign, which began with his Feb. 3 filing, “wasn’t an easy call.”
“I care deeply about this community and the direction of our state, but I also recognize when it’s time to step back and refocus on what matters most,” Blanton wrote. “Right now, that means my family, my responsibilities, and preparing for what I believe are future opportunities to serve.”
Blanton, who is Richmond Police Department’s assistant chief of police and chief public information officer, did not name any specific future plans.
He did endorse one of his two Republican competitors in the race, Pete Zaleski. Blanton said he met with Zaleski and called him “the right guy.”
Zaleski, a former Wayne County Council member, is a pharmacist and owner of Phillips Drugs in Richmond. He’ll now run alone against the other District 56 candidate, outgoing Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter. Blanton previously worked under Retter while employed at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Indiana Election Division’s 2026 calendar shows that candidates had to file a candidacy withdrawal for the primary by Feb. 13. Wayne County Clerk of Courts Tara Pegg confirmed to WWN that Blanton’s name will remain on the May ballot. Votes cast for Blanton will effectively be lost votes.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Thomas Rockwell, along with any independent candidates who file this summer, in the November election.
Party delegate
Chris Beeson of Hagerstown had filed to serve as a delegate for Indiana’s 2026 Republican Party convention, but he died March 17 at age 85.
Beeson previously held several township, town and countywide elected offices including Wayne County councilor and auditor.
Pegg said the county’s party convention delegates will be finalized after the May primary.
A version of this article appeared in the March 25 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.