Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum Seeks Democratic Nomination for State Senate District 39

VINCENNES, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum is seeking the Democratic nomination for Indiana's 39th State Senate District.

The vacancy comes after Joseph Baughman, who won the Democratic primary in May, withdrew from the race.

Yochum told WAKC News Now his decision to seek the nomination comes from his years of experience in local government and a desire to bring that perspective to the Statehouse.

“I’ve had 15 years of local government, and I think that knowledge is missing in our state legislature,” Yochum said. “Most legislators aren’t from local government.”

Yochum has served as mayor of Vincennes since 2011.

A caucus will take place Thursday night, where Democratic precinct committeepersons from the 39th State Senate District will gather to select the party’s nominee.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Washington City Council Chambers, located at 200 Harned Avenue.

If Yochum receives the nomination, he will move forward as the Democratic candidate in the November general election, where he would face Republican candidate Jeff Ellington.

Senate District 39 covers all of Greene, Daviess, Knox, and Martin counties, along with parts of Owen and Sullivan counties.

You can learn more about Yochum’s campaign for State Senate District 39 by visiting his campaign website.