Lincoln Party

Lincoln Party
ChairpersonNathan Gotsch
FounderNathan Gotsch
Founded2026
IdeologyAnti-corruption
Political positionBig tent
Colors    red, blue
United States Senate delegation
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United States House of Representatives delegation
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Executive Offices
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Indiana State Senate
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Indiana House of Representatives
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Website
thelincolnparty.org

The Lincoln Party is a big tent political party in Indiana. The party was founded by its chairperson Nathan Gotsch. The first time the party label saw use was when Greg Ballard ran for Secretary of State of Indiana in 2026. The party became an official minor party in Indiana when Ballard secured 3.6 percent of the vote, crossing the 2 percent threshold for automatic ballot access.

History

The Lincoln Party was created with the intent of allowing more independent candidates to run in Indiana by bypassing the need for potential candidates to gather signatures in order to appear on election ballots. According to Ballard, the party's name was chosen in order to honor Abraham Lincoln's upbringing in Indiana.

In the 2026 Indiana Secretary of State election, the Lincoln Party gained above 2% of the vote, giving the party automatic ballot access for the next 4 years. In response to gaining ballot access, Ballard remarked that "a permanent challenge has been born" to the two-party dynamic in Indiana politics. Post-election, Gotsch stated that the Lincoln Party intends to run candidates in future local Indiana elections, possibly including the 2027 Indianapolis mayoral election if Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett runs for re-election.

Platform

The Lincoln Party's platform consists of a set of principles rather than a set political platform. The party's official platform, titled 'Statement of principles', states the party's support for civil rights, democracy, and the American constitution. Chairperson Nathan Gotsch has stated that the lack of outlined policy does not mean that the party's candidates have no policies, but rather that specific policies and positions are up to each candidate.

References

  1. 1 2 Herron, Arika (November 5, 2026). "The Lincoln Party is on the ballot. The Libertarian Party may not be". Axios (website). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Wright, Aubrey (November 5, 2026). "As Lincoln Party secures automatic ballot access, Libertarians may fall short". IndyStar. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Gay, David (November 5, 2026). "Indiana's Lincoln Party outlines path forward following Tuesday's elections". Fox59. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Smith, Casey (March 12, 2026). "Ballard to run under 'Lincoln Party' name in independent bid for Indiana secretary of state". Indiana Capital Chronicle.
  5. 1 2 Odenhal, Marilyn (March 10, 2026). "'STEP FORWARD': Ex-Mayor Greg Ballard starts new political party in bid for secretary of state". Indiana Citizen.
  6. 1 2 "Lincoln Party puts out statement of principles, which foe calls 'bare minimum'". Indiana Capital Chronicle. October 7, 2026. Archived from the original on October 13, 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Former Indianapolis Mayor Ballard to start new Lincoln Party". WISH-TV. March 11, 2026. Archived from the original on November 3, 2026.
  8. ↑ Bushman, Heather (November 3, 2026). "Greg Ballard, supporters celebrate Lincoln Party's official ballot status". IndyStar. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ Beck, Caroline; Thorp, Benjamin (November 4, 2026). "Bayh wins heated Indiana Secretary of State race, and other statewide results". WFYI (TV). Retrieved November 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Election Results Roundup". Indiana Citizen. November 3, 2026. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ Webster, Jenna (November 5, 2026). "Greg Ballard lost the secretary of state race but gained ballot access for the Lincoln Party". WTHR. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  12. ↑ Wright, Aubrey (November 5, 2026). "Lincoln Party eyes Hogsett, 2027 mayor's race as it gains automatic ballot access". IndyStar. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Statement of Principles". thelincolnparty.org. Archived from the original on October 23, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Lincoln Party releases Statement of Principles for candidates, party officials". The Hamilton County Reporter. October 8, 2026. Archived from the original on November 3, 2026.
  15. 1 2 Dwyer, Kayla (October 7, 2026). "What would Indiana's Lincoln Party stand for? Why its platform is different from GOP, Dems". IndyStar. Retrieved November 4, 2026.