Indiana House of Representatives District 78
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Indiana House of Representatives District 78 is represented byTim O'Brien (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Indiana state representatives represented an average of67,903 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented65,016 residents.
About the chamber
Members of theIndiana House of Representatives servetwo-year terms and are not subject toterm limits. Indiana legislators assume office the day after their general election.[1]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in theIndiana House of Representatives:[2]
| “ | Sec. 14. A candidate for the office of representative in the general assembly must:
| ” |
According to Indiana Code 3-8-1-1, all candidates must be registered voters.[4]
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2025[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $33,032.24/year | $213/day. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in theIndiana General Assembly, 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.[6]
See sources:Indiana Code §3-13-5-0.1
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
The Indiana General Assembly approved new state legislative district maps on October 1, 2021, and Gov.Eric Holcomb (R) signed the new district boundaries into law on October 4, 2021. The Indiana Senate Republican caucus released its first draft of state Senate districts on September 20, 2021, and the Indiana House Republican caucus released its first proposed state House district maps on September 14, 2021. The Indiana state Senate approved final legislative district boundaries by a vote of 36-12, with all votes to approve by Republicans. Eleven Senate Democrats joined State Sen.Ron Grooms (R) in voting against the maps. The Indiana House of Representatives approved final district maps by a vote of 64-25. All votes in favor were by Republicans with 22 Democrats and three Republicans voting against.[7][8]
After the General Assembly approved the maps, House SpeakerTodd Huston said, "We're incredibly grateful for the work of RepresentativeGreg Steuerwald and SenatorEric Koch who tirelessly and thoughtfully led the way on drawing these maps. Redistricting is a complex and important process that impacts all Hoosiers. We're thankful for the hundreds of constituents who shared their feedback along the way, and I'm confident we delivered fair maps that ensure every Hoosier vote counts."[9]
The full legislative history of Indiana's redistricting proposals, including House and Senate committee reports and proposed amendments, can befound here at the Indiana General Assembly's website. These maps took effect for Indiana's 2022 legislative elections.[10]
How does redistricting in Indiana work? In Indiana, thestate legislature is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. The legislature must approve a redistricting plan by the close of the first legislative session occurring after completion of the United States Census. Thegovernor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[11][12]
In the event that both chambers of the state legislature do not approve a congressional redistricting plan, abackup commission must draw the lines. The commission comprises the following members:[12]
- Speaker of theHouse
- President Pro Tempore of theSenate
- Chair of theElections Committee, Indiana State Senate
- Chair of theElections and Apportionment Committee, Indiana House of Representatives
- A gubernatorial appointment
TheIndiana Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements for congressional district lines.[11]
Indiana House of Representatives District 78
until November 8, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Indiana House of Representatives District 78
starting November 9, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2026
See also: Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on May 5, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
Sally Busby (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 5, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Sally Busby | ||
| There are noincumbents in this race. | |||
 = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentTim O'Brien (R) is running in the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 5, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Tim O'Brien | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2024
See also: Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentTim O'Brien won election in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tim O'Brien (R) | 100.0 | 24,110 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 24,110 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentTim O'Brien advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 7, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tim O'Brien | 100.0 | 4,858 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 4,858 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentTim O'Brien defeatedJason Salstrom in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tim O'Brien (R) | 62.7 | 13,143 |
| Jason Salstrom (D) | 37.3 | 7,818 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 20,961 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
Jason Salstrom advanced from the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 3, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jason Salstrom | 100.0 | 2,022 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 2,022 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentTim O'Brien defeatedSean Selby in the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 3, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tim O'Brien | 65.9 | 2,228 |
| Sean Selby | 34.1 | 1,151 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 3,379 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentHolli Sullivan defeatedTonda Pauley in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Holli Sullivan (R) | 63.9 | 20,273 |
| Tonda Pauley (D) | 36.1 | 11,453 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 31,726 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
Tonda Pauley advanced from the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Tonda Pauley | 100.0 | 3,426 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 3,426 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentHolli Sullivan advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Holli Sullivan | 100.0 | 3,461 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 3,461 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentHolli Sullivan won election in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Holli Sullivan (R) | 100.0 | 18,098 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 18,098 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78
IncumbentHolli Sullivan advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Holli Sullivan | 100.0 | 3,167 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 3,167 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for theIndiana 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.
IncumbentHolli Sullivan defeatedPhilip Bennett in the Indiana House of Representatives District 78 general election.[13][14]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 78 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Holli SullivanIncumbent | 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.[15][16]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 78 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Philip Bennett (unopposed) | |
IncumbentHolli Sullivan ran unopposed in the Indiana House of Representatives District 78 Republican primary.[15][16]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 78 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Holli SullivanIncumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for theIndiana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014.Stephen R. Melcher was unopposed in the Democratic primary, whileHolli Sullivan was unopposed in the Republican primary. Sullivan defeated Melcher in the general election.[17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Holli SullivanIncumbent | 63.8% | 9,676 | |
| Democratic | Stephen R. Melcher | 36.2% | 5,482 | |
| Total Votes | 15,158 | |||
2012
Elections for the office ofIndiana House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 8, 2012, and a general election onNovember 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 10, 2012. IncumbentSuzanne Crouch (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.[19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Suzanne CrouchIncumbent | 100% | 21,991 | |
| Total Votes | 21,991 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Indiana House of Representatives District 78 raised a total of $2,019,393. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $91,791 on average. All figures come fromFollow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Indiana House of Representatives District 78 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $92,877 | 1 | $92,877 |
| 2022 | $335,594 | 3 | $111,865 |
| 2020 | $175,231 | 2 | $87,616 |
| 2018 | $124,106 | 1 | $124,106 |
| 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 | $2,019,393 | 22 | $91,791 |
See also
- Indiana State Legislature
- Indiana State Senate
- Indiana House of Representatives
- Indiana state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑Indiana General Assembly, "Indiana Constitution, Article 4, Section 3," accessed February 5, 2021
- ↑Indiana General Assembly, "IC 3-8-1-14: Representative in general assembly," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑Justia, "IN Code § 3-8-1-1 (2024)," accessed May 27, 2025
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
- ↑Indiana General Assembly, "Indiana Code," accessed February 5, 2021(§3-13-5-0.1)
- ↑Indiana House of Representatives Republican Caucus, "GOP statements on initial drafts of Indiana House and Congressional district maps," September 14, 2021
- ↑IndyStar, "Gov. Holcomb signs Indiana's redistricting maps into law," October 4, 2021
- ↑Indiana Senate Republicans, "General Assembly approves new congressional, state legislative districts 10.1.21," October 1, 2021
- ↑Indiana Senate Republicans, "General Assembly approves new congressional, state legislative districts," Oct. 1, 2021
- ↑11.011.1All About Redistricting, "Indiana," accessed April 6, 2015
- ↑12.012.1Brennan Center for Justice, "Indiana," accessed April 6, 2015
- ↑Indiana Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election candidates," February 5, 2016
- ↑Indiana Election Division, "General election 2016 results," accessed December 16, 2016
- ↑15.015.1Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election candidates," February 5, 2016
- ↑16.016.1Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election Results," accessed August 18, 2016
- ↑Indiana Secretary of State, "Official primary election candidate list," accessed February 10, 2014
- ↑Indiana Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑"Indiana Secretary of State - Official Primary Results," accessed October 11, 2013
- ↑"Indiana Secretary of State – Official General Election Results," accessed October 11, 2013
