Republican House hopeful Jim Schenke's campaign takes an unexpected turn just hours before voters head to the polls in Indiana's 26th District.
According to Fox News, Schenke was arrested Monday morning following allegations that he violated a protection order through social media contact. The incident occurred after a complaint was filed Sunday evening around 8:35 p.m.
The arrest stems from Schenke's alleged interaction with a protected individual through a Facebook comment. Tippecanoe County authorities took him into custody and booked him into the county jail at approximately 6:30 a.m.
Multiple protection orders involving Schenke are currently active. Two orders protect a local attorney and their staff, while another order exists between Schenke and a resident of his West Lafayette neighborhood.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff Robert Goldsmith explained the situation that led to the arrest. The violation allegedly occurred when Schenke commented on a social media post made by someone protected under one of the orders.
Sheriff Goldsmith stated:
Part of the order is to not have any direct or indirect contact and that does include social media. The victim made a post on Facebook and Mr. Schenke commented on it, so he was arrested for invasion of privacy.
Schenke took to social media to defend himself against the accusations. He claims to be the victim of harassment and stalking, asserting that he holds a protective order against another individual.
Shortly before his arrest, Schenke posted a video discussing campus safety concerns at Purdue University. The content focused on blue light emergency phone boxes and their significance in preventing sexual attacks.
His campaign has faced other challenges, including a recent incident involving his campaign motor home and allegations of inadequate political disclaimers in advertisements.
The timing of Schenke's arrest adds complexity to his campaign against Democratic incumbent Chris Campbell. The incident occurred amid other ongoing legal matters related to his campaign.
The candidate previously faced charges for operating an uninsured campaign vehicle after allegedly striking a light post. Though these charges were subsequently dropped, they contributed to a pattern of campaign-related difficulties.
The Tippecanoe County Election Board has raised concerns about Schenke's campaign practices. These issues include questions about proper political advertising disclaimers and two civil charges connected to his campaign activities.
The arrest of a candidate on Election Day eve presents unprecedented challenges for voters in Indiana's 26th House District. The incident adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious race. As polling locations prepare to open, the situation raises questions about the impact of last-minute developments on voter decisions. The outcome of this race may reflect how voters weigh recent events against broader campaign issues.
