A Democratic candidate for an Indiana State Senate seat was arrested Saturday evening in Fishers, facing charges of cocaine possession and resisting law enforcement. Andrew Dezelan is now at the center of a developing situation that has quickly drawn attention across the district.
The timing lands awkwardly for a race that was already expected to be close, especially in District 31, where both parties see an opening this year. Dezelan has not commented publicly so far, and his campaign has gone quiet as voters continue casting ballots ahead of Election Day.
Details of the Arrest and Police Report
Police were called around 8 p.m. on April 26 after a Fishers resident reported someone going door to door in a neighborhood. According to the affidavit, the officer located Andrew Dezelan sitting in his car near a clubhouse and began questioning him about his activity there.
The officer wrote that Dezelan was speaking quickly and moving in a nervous, disorganized way, while visibly sweating. “All of which are typical signs of someone who is under the influence of a narcotic,” the affidavit states, describing the officer’s immediate concern.
When asked for identification, Dezelan reportedly searched his car and then said he needed to leave. Police say he reversed the vehicle and resisted commands to stop, leading to a physical struggle. A search later found a small bag that tested positive for cocaine.
Political Context and District 31 Race
Andrew Dezelan entered the Democratic primary as a former policy director for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus, positioning himself around affordability issues like childcare and housing. He also pushed for marijuana legalization, arguing new tax revenue could help ease rising costs for families across the district.
He is competing in the May 5 primary against Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal, a veteran Lasima Packett, and realtor Catherine Torzewski. With early voting already underway, the race has drawn attention as multiple candidates bring different experience and local connections into a crowded field.
District 31, covering Fishers and Lawrence, has been held by Republicans for at least three decades, yet local party leaders say this cycle feels different. One party insider described it as “a race that could come down to small margins,” reflecting growing competition in what was once a reliably safe seat.
Aftermath and Campaign Silence
As of now, Andrew Dezelan has not publicly addressed the arrest, and an attorney listed in court records did not respond to requests for comment. That silence has left a noticeable gap, especially with early voting already underway across the district.
A Facebook post scheduled for 8:12 p.m. on April 26 added an unusual detail to the timeline. “Cutting turf and pounding pavement until they tell me to stop,” Dezelan wrote. “Got a new bag of tricks with me for this last stretch,” the post reads.
The timing stands out, since police were dispatched to the neighborhood roughly 15 minutes earlier, according to official records. There has been no clarification on whether the post was automated, leaving voters to interpret the gap between campaign messaging and events unfolding that evening.
The View From The Trenches
"The thing that pops out to me the most," shared Jon Elia, Executive Director of Avenues Recovery Center at Fort Wayne, "is that this arrest was behind the wheel of a vehicle. When an individual uses drugs, they cause harm to themselves and loved ones. When they choose to get behind the wheel, though, they put our entire community at risk. I wont go into the politics of all of this, but I hope he receives the help that he needs and is able to move forward in a different direction with his career.
That being said, I think we need to see some accountability and owner ship by offering them substance use treatment as opposed to jail time. I hope they seek the help they need, but I wish we were able to offer the help to those being arrested as opposed to jail time."
Marissa Sauer, Clinical Director of Avenues Recovery Center at Fort Wayne, shared another perspective on the story. "I'd just note that addiction can happen to anyone. No matter job, socioeconomic status or place one has in society. A lot of times it is hard for people to pinpoint while in addiction when it is becoming "a problem". The goal would be to find intervention before money, health, family or legal troubles begin. It takes a lot of courage to admit there is a problem and begin the path to healing. "
Endnote
What happens next will likely shape how voters read this moment, especially with the May 5 primary so close and early voting already active. Local observers tend to focus on timing in cases like this, where late developments can shift attention quickly, even without formal statements from campaigns.
Legal proceedings will now move through the court system, and that timeline rarely aligns with an election calendar. In races decided by small margins, even short-term uncertainty can matter, leaving District 31 voters in Fishers and Lawrence weighing limited information as ballots continue to be cast.