House District 56 covers all of Wayne County and a portion of Henry County in far eastern Indiana. The seat is open because incumbent Brad Barrett -- a retired general surgeon who chaired the Public Health Committee and compiled a legislative record focused on healthcare -- announced he would not seek reelection after eight years. His departure removes significant healthcare policy expertise from the chamber.
Three Republicans filed, but Adam Blanton withdrew on March 18, 2026, endorsing Pete Zaleski. Blanton's name remains on the ballot because the withdrawal deadline had passed; votes cast for him will not count. This ghost candidacy could siphon real votes in a race where margins may be thin.
Retter enters with the broader name recognition -- decades in law enforcement, SWAT team leadership, state and national sheriff's association involvement. Zaleski enters with deeper policy preparation, a healthcare background that mirrors Barrett's priorities, and the Blanton endorsement. The effective primary is a two-candidate race between the county sheriff and a community pharmacist, and in a primary that may turn out fewer than 8,000 Republican voters total, even a few hundred lost Blanton votes could matter.