On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Greenfield Daily Reporter reported that the Hancock County Superior Court I judge race is intensifying as Election Day approaches, marked by a complaint filed with the Hancock County Election Board and questions surrounding a candidate’s campaign talking points.
The Republican primary sees incumbent D.J. Davis challenged by family law attorney Janet Miles Manship. Davis is seeking reelection to a second term, while Manship aims to be the first woman elected as judge in Hancock County.
Hancock County Republican Party Chair Holly Lawson filed a complaint on April 14 with the Hancock County Election Board. The complaint alleges that a woman violated Indiana law by distributing flyers promoting Manship without proper identification of who paid for them. According to the complaint, Marsanne Kunzer distributed the flyers near the Hancock County Courthouse on April 10, advocating for Manship and critiquing Davis’ rulings. The flyer stated it was paid for by “concerned citizens” and had “no affiliation with (the) candidate (Manship).”
Lawson’s complaint cites Indiana Code, stating that expenditures for advocating the election or defeat of a candidate must include a disclaimer identifying who paid for and authorized the communication. Lawson asserts the flyer violates Indiana’s disclaimer law, arguing that anonymous political attacks are illegal.
Kunzer confirmed distributing the flyers but denied breaking election law, citing the disclaimer and noting the flyer was not paid for by any committee associated with Manship. She said she aimed to highlight transparency in matters affecting families and children, asserting her materials were independently funded to share factual information on how judicial decisions impact real lives.
Kunzer’s daughter previously had a case in Davis’ court and filed a complaint against Davis, but the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications found no wrongdoing. Court records indicate Davis recused himself from Kunzer’s daughter’s case on April 14, after the flyer distribution.
Manship posted on Facebook the same day Kunzer distributed flyers, distancing herself from the flyers and stating her campaign did not endorse or create the information. Hancock County Clerk Lisa Lofgreen was contacted regarding the case’s status, but no response was received by press time.
Questions have also arisen regarding Davis’ Veterans Treatment Program. When Davis ran for judge in 2020, he advocated for a behavioral health court and mentioned veterans as a group he wanted to help. While the behavioral health court has been established, the presence of the Veterans Treatment Program is less clear. Davis has touted the program in his reelection campaign, with a video on his Facebook page.
Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton stated he has never seen documentation about a program helping veterans in the behavioral health court. He recalled only one veteran going through the program, who did not graduate.
Retired state senator Beverly Gard voiced similar concerns, unable to find data related to the program.
The county’s 2026 budget includes funds for Drug Court and Behavioral Health Court, but not for a Veterans Treatment Program. Davis clarified that the veterans program is a component within the Behavioral Health Court, not a separate court. He said only one person had gone through the program, and that not many veterans get into trouble in Hancock County, with the Behavioral Health Court dealing with felonies.
Source: Greenfield Daily Reporter
