Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Indiana, State House, District 78

Indiana House of Representatives District 78
Current incumbentHolli Sullivan Republican Party
Population64,578
Race89.6% White, 5% Black, 2% Asian, 1.5% Other, 1.9% Two or More
Ethnicity2.4% Hispanic, 88.5% White Non-Hispanic
Voting age76.9% age 18 and over

Indiana's seventy-eighth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Holli Sullivan.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 64,578 civilians reside within Indiana's seventy-eighth state house district. Indiana state representatives represent an average of 64,838 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 60,805 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Indiana legislators assume office on the second Tuesday after the general election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Indiana House of Representatives a candidate must be:

  • A United States citizen at the time of the election
  • Have resided in the state for at least two years and in the house district for at least one year before the election
  • Be at least twenty-one years old upon taking office
  • Registered to vote in the election district the person seeks to represent not later than the deadline for filing the declaration or petition of candidacy or certificate of nomination.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$25,945/year$173/day

Pensions

Indiana legislators created a 401(k) plan for themselves in 1989, becoming the first in the nation to do so. Lawmakers who took office after April 1989 were ineligible for the traditional pension plan, receiving the individual retirement account instead.

Legislators pay 5% of their annual salary into the 401(k). In 2007, they voted to include per diem allowances, expense payments and leadership stipends into the calculation, thus raising their retirement accounts.

Vacancies

Whenever there is a vacancy in the house, the state committee of the party that last held the seat must appoint a replacement. This is contingent upon the approval of the respective state chairperson of the party. Any vacant seat held by an independent must be filled by a special election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Indiana House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 5, 2020. The filing deadline is February 7, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78

Incumbent Holli Sullivan (R) won election in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Holli Sullivan (R)
100
18,098

Total votes: 18,098
Democratic primary election

No Democratic candidates ran in the primary.

Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78

Incumbent Holli Sullivan advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Holli Sullivan (R)
100
3,167

Total votes: 3,167

2016

Elections for the Indiana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 3, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 5, 2016.

Incumbent Holli Sullivan defeated Philip Bennett in the Indiana House of Representatives District 78 general election.

Indiana House of Representatives, District 78 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Holli Sullivan Incumbent 66.44% 19,208
Democratic Philip Bennett 33.56% 9,704
Total Votes 28,912
Source: Indiana Election Divsion

Philip Bennett ran unopposed in the Indiana House of Representatives District 78 Democratic primary.

Indiana House of Representatives, District 78 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Philip Bennett (unopposed)

Incumbent Holli Sullivan ran unopposed in the Indiana House of Representatives District 78 Republican primary.

Indiana House of Representatives, District 78 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Holli Sullivan Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the Indiana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014. Stephen R. Melcher was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Holli Sullivan was unopposed in the Republican primary. Sullivan defeated Melcher in the general election.

Indiana House of Representatives 78, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngHolli Sullivan Incumbent 63.8% 9,676
Democratic Stephen R. Melcher 36.2% 5,482
Total Votes 15,158

2012

Elections for the office of Indiana House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 8, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 10, 2012. Incumbent Suzanne Crouch (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.

Indiana House of Representatives, District 78, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngSuzanne Crouch Incumbent 100% 21,991
Total Votes 21,991

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 raised a total of $1,291,585. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $86,106 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Indiana House of Representatives District 78

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $67,365 2 $33,683
2014 $461,641 2 $230,821
2012 $153,106 1 $153,106
2010 $142,711 2 $71,356
2008 $167,898 2 $83,949
2006 $150,023 2 $75,012
2004 $85,599 2 $42,800
2002 $34,307 1 $34,307
2000 $28,935 1 $28,935
Total $1,291,585 15 $86,106