Mayoral elections in Evansville, Indiana

In the May 2 primary elections, incumbent mayor Frank F. McDonald ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, and John Lavens ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[14]

Primary elections were held on May 4.[15]

City Council president William L. Brooks defeated William Arendell, a former coroner, in the Democratic Party primary. Brooks had boasted the endorsement of outgoing mayor Frank F. McDonald, and was considered the front-runner in the primary.[15]

Russell G. Lloyd Sr. won the Republican Party primary against a single opponent. Lloyd entered the primary with the support of the local Republican organization.[15]

At 70%, turnout was considered to be high.[16]

Lloyd's victory, with a 9,158, was considered impressive and surpisingly large.[16] His victory came amid a bad municipal election year for Indiana's Republican Party. Along with the Indianapolis mayoral election, Evansville's election marked one of only two Republican mayoral victories in the state's larger municipal areas with Democrats winning the elections in East Chicago, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, South Bend, and Terre Haute.[16]

In the coinciding city council election, Republicans won 8 seats, and Democrats won one.[17]

The strong Democratic performance came despite outgoing mayor McDonald having been seen, prior to the election, as having established one of the strong city and county Democratic organizations in the state.[15]

Primary elections were held on May 6.

The Democratic primary was won the Indiana state representative J. Jeff Hays. The Democratic primary was largely predicted to be a toss-up between Hays and Jerry Linzy, the director of development for the University of Evansville.[19] The third candidate was city sewage department employee Jack Roll.[19]

The Republican primary was won by incumbent mayor Russell G. Lloyd Sr., who was unopposed in the primary.[19]

Lloyd became the first Republican mayor to win reelection in Evansville since 1895.[20]

Primary elections were held on May 8.[22]

City councilman Michael Vandeveer won the Democratic primary.[18][22] Vandeveer defeated Vanderburgh County assessor James Angermeier.[22] Vandeveer was considered the front-runner in the primary.[22]

Randall T. Shepard, an administrative assistant to incumbent Republican mayor Russell G. Lloyd Sr., won the Republican primary.[18][22] Lloyd defeated Bradley Ten Barge, a musician and retail worker.[22] Shephard was the frontrunner for the nomination, and had been endorsed by the local Republican Party organization's slating committee.[22]

Ahead of election day, race was considered one of the most competitive mayoral races in the state of Indiana that year.[21]

Primary elections were held on May 3.[23]

Incumbent mayor Michael Vandeveer faced token opposition from two challengers. While neither opponent were seen as posing a strong challenge to Vandeveer, more serious of the two candidates running against Vandeveer in the primary was Berta Hammerseen, a former university professor and former member of the Evansville Housing Authority. Hammerstein criticized Vandeveer for the financial troubles of the city, and for shortcomings in regards to economic development in the city. Mark R. Chellgren of the Associated Press wrote shortly before the day of the primary, "the tone of her attacks has put off some party regulars, who give her little chance to unseat Vandeveer". Vandeveer's other challenger was Larry Williams, who did not do much in regards to campaigning.[23]

Four-term city councilman and high school teacher David Koehler won the Republican nomination.[23][24] Running against him in the Republican primary was and former two-term Vanderburgh County sheriff James DeGroote.[23]

Koehler had the backing of the local Republican Party organization, which provided his campaign with organizational and financial support.[23] DeGroote dedicated himself as a full-time campaigner.[23]

Both candidates argued that economic development should be the first priority of Evansville's mayor. The campaign between them was not focused on issues, but rather on personality. Also effecting the race was debate over the influence of the county Republican chairman, Bob Whitehouse.[23]

Koehler worked to soften his public image. Despite being seen as a good manager, Mark R. Chellgren of the Associated Press wrote that he was seen as having, "little regard for the people side of government".[23]

DeGroote ran, in large part, on both his record as sheriff, and on presenting himself with a friendly image.[23]

Early into the campaign, the Republican Party had hopes that its nominee might be able to unseat Vendeveer. However, Koehler's candidacy failed to create momentum.[25]

Koehler alleged that Vandeveer was guilty of "fiscal mismanagement", often pointing to a financial crisis that the city government had faced in 1981. Koehler also accused Vandeveer of subjecting residents to too many new fees, while also alleging that Vandeveer did not make the best use of the revenues generated by these fees. Koehler also attacked Vandeveer for his shortcomings in attracting economic development.[25]

Vandeveer insisted that the city's economic issues were largely attributable to the ongoing early 1980s recession, and predicted that the city would see improved economic fortunes by the end of the decade.[25]

Both nominees were in agreement that the state of Indiana should pass legislation to establish a new local option income tax, as well as provide additional new methods for city's such as Evansville to generate more revenue.[25]

Primary elections were held on May 5.[28]

Days before announcing his plans to resign, incumbent Michael Vandeveer was renominated by his party.[27] He had been unopposed for the nomination.[28] After Vanderveer announced his resignation, Frank F. McDonald II was selected by Democratic leaders to fill his place. McDonald was also appointed by the city council to serve as interim mayor until the winner of the election would take office.[26]

Al Folz won the Republican nomination.

Folz was seen as running too weak of a campaign organization to stand a strong chance at winning the Democratic-leaning city.[29]

Primary elections were held on May 8.[30]

Incumbent mayor Frank F. McDonald II won renomination unopposed.[30]

Primary elections were held on May 2.[32]

Incumbent Frank McDonald II was renominated, defeating challengers Frank Fuquay and Kerry Longest.[32][33]

Business owner Lori Frary won the Republican nomination over David Coker, Jack Groshands, and Doug DeGroot.[32]

The election was considered a low-key race.[34] Discussion largely centered upon the city's upcoming riverboat casino, which would open the month after the election.[34]

Incumbent Russell G. Lloyd was challenged by Douglas DeGroot, who ran a frugal campaign.[40] DeGroot's performance in the vote was regarded as surprisingly strong.[41]

Jack Groshans, Jr. ran as an independent candidate.

Weinzapfel defeated Lloyd.

2003 was a good year for Democrats in Indiana's mayoral elections, with the party winning control of the mayoralties of all of the state's top seven most populous cities for the first time since 1959.[42] The Democratic Party also won control of the mayoralties in twenty of the state's thirty cities with populations above 25,000.[42] Additionally, in 2003, Democrats won more than 56% of partisan mayoral races in Indiana.[43]

During the general election, Vanderburgh County, where Evansville is located, saw voter turnout of 25% in its various elections.[44]

Primary elections were held May 8.[47]

During the primary elections, the voter turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 6.12%.[47]

Voter turnout in Vanderburgh County during the November elections was 19.42%.[46]

Primary elections were held May 3.[49]

During the primary elections, the voter turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 10.06%.[49]

Businessman Lloyd Winnecke defeated Douglas De Groot. De Groot had previously been a candidate in the 2003 Evansville Republican mayoral primary.[40]

Voter turnout in Evansville for the municipal general election was 23.64%.[48]

Primary elections were held May 5.[51] During the primary elections, turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 6.76%.[51]

Steve "Woz" Wozniak ran as an independent candidate.

During the general election, turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 20.70%.[50]

Primary elections were held May 7.[53]

No candidate ran for the Democratic Party nomination.

For the first time in at least 85 years, the Democratic Party failed to field a candidate in an Evansville mayoral election.[54]

• Ryan Hatfield, state representative[54]
• Ben Shoulders, Vanderburgh County Commissioner[54]
• Jonathan Weaver, City Councilman[54]

Bart Gadau was nominated by the Libertarian Party.

Steve Ary ran as an independent candidate.

During the general election, turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 19.94%.[52]

Winnecke became the fourth mayor of Evansville to be elected to a third term.[55]

• Cheryl Musgrave, Vanderburgh County commissioner and former Vanderburgh County Assessor[57]
• Natalie Rascher, talent acquisition professional and member of the Vanderburgh County Alcohol Beverage Commission[58]

• Caine Helmer, store greeter[59][60]

• Gabe Whitley, lobbyist[61][62]

• Justin Elpers, city councilor[63]
• Steve Schaefer, deputy mayor[64]
• Lloyd Winnecke, incumbent mayor[56] (endorsed Rascher)[65]

• Stephanie Terry, Vanderburgh County councilor and executive director of the Children's Museum of Evansville[69]

• Brian Alexander, advertising planner[70][60]

• Alex Burton, city councilor[63]
• Ryan Hatfield, Indiana state representative[71]
• Missy Mosby, city councilor[63]
• Phil Smith, Evansville assistant police chief[72][62]
• Jonathan Weaver, at-large city councilor[63]

• Michael Daugherty, retired businessman[73]