The Ballot Brief
Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Indiana House District 78

Busby and O'Brien are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Vanderburgh County election filings.

About this race

Sally Busby (Democratic), Tim O'Brien (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Indiana House District 78; Tim O'Brien is the sitting member, per the General Assembly caucus rosters. Democratic and Republican nominees were chosen at the May 5 primary; Libertarian nominees at the party's convention. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list (updated August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Tim O'Brien, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Indiana › Vanderburgh County › Indiana House District 78

Sally Busby

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Lowering utility bills and utility company accountability
  • Fully funded public schools
  • Accountable, PAC-free representation
Biography

Sally Busby is the Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 78 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list. Taught middle school for fifteen years before transitioning to training future teachers, per campaign site. Is running without corporate PAC funding and has spent twelve months door-knocking across the district, per campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Tim O'Brien

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Prioritizing K-12 education funding
  • Ensuring parents' voices are heard in local school decisions
  • Supporting medical research for pediatric and breast cancer
Biography

O'Brien is a lifelong Hoosier with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Southern Indiana who established a real estate brokerage career in Southwest Indiana, per the campaign site. O'Brien serves on the Board of Directors for Heritage Federal Credit Union and previously served on the Evansville Land Bank Corporation Board, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotVanderburgh County Superior Court Judge, No. 1

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Indiana House District 78 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Indiana House District 78 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Sally Busby and Tim O'Brien. Candidate information follows official Vanderburgh County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Indiana House District 78 election in Indiana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Indiana are on the Indiana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Vanderburgh County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Vanderburgh County and state election office filings, last verified October 14, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Indiana election office, or see the full Vanderburgh County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Vanderburgh County ballot

15 tracked races in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Vanderburgh County Prosecuting AttorneyVanderburgh County AuditorVanderburgh County SheriffSee all 15 Vanderburgh County races
Candidate profiles
Sally Busby, full profileTim O'Brien, full profileOfficial Indiana election office