County

Prosecuting Attorney, 19th Judicial Circuit (Marion County)

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The prosecuting attorney prosecutes crimes in the circuit's courts and enforces child support orders.

Candidates Compare by issue

Philip Foust

Republican

Clerk-treasurer, Town of Speedway; attorney · Speedway

The gist

Pledges a 100-day review of cases against repeat offenders.
Opposes blanket non-prosecution policies, including for marijuana.
Supports a special prosecutor to investigate the Hogsett administration.
Pledges to rebuild the office's working relationship with police.

More about Philip

View sources (1)

Pledges a 100-day review of cases against repeat offenders.
Philip Foust — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“a concerted first-100-days review of cases with the worst repeat offenders to make sure those criminals are aggressively and appropriately charged”
Opposes blanket non-prosecution policies, including for marijuana.
Philip Foust — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“I would not have blanket policies nullifying crimes such as marijuana possession or doctors performing unlawful abortions”
Supports a special prosecutor to investigate the Hogsett administration.
Philip Foust — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“I called for a special prosecutor because the public cannot trust Ryan Mears to handle an investigation into Mayor Hogsett’s administration”
Pledges to rebuild the office's working relationship with police.
Philip Foust — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“As Prosecutor, I will work to rebuild trust with police and other public safety partners”

Ryan Mears

DemocraticIncumbent

Marion County Prosecutor

The gist

Supports diversion programs for first-time, lower-level offenders.
Opposes charging simple marijuana possession or abortion cases.
Supports addressing youth gun access, not just curfews.
Pledges to prosecute public corruption regardless of who is involved.

More about Ryan

View sources (1)

Supports diversion programs for first-time, lower-level offenders.
Ryan Mears — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“our office has invested in diversion programs and established the Quality of Life Unit, particularly for first-time offenders”
Opposes charging simple marijuana possession or abortion cases.
Ryan Mears — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“we do not believe putting someone into the criminal justice system over simple marijuana possession is a good use of prosecutorial resources … We do not believe prosecuting women, doctors or nurses over abortion care makes our community safer”
Supports addressing youth gun access, not just curfews.
Ryan Mears — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“A curfew can assist law enforcement but does not address the real problem which is too many kids have access to guns. … Permitless carry has lead to an increase in the number of people walking around with guns”
Pledges to prosecute public corruption regardless of who is involved.
Ryan Mears — Mirror Indy 2026 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Mirror Indy · mirrorindy.org
“Our office will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute public corruption in Marion County, regardless of who is involved”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.