CROWN POINT | A number of candidates have crowded the May 8 primary ballot as the filing period is set to close Friday.

Lowell Town Judge Thomas Vanes is running for re-election.

Republican candidates seeking municipal offices turned out in large numbers for the first time since the opening day of filings. They include:

Eric H. Allen for Hobart City Council at large.

Connie S. Hope for Ward 1 seat on the Dyer Town Council.

Ted DeJong for the Ward 3 seat on the Dyer Town Council.

Rick Ryfa for the Ward 3 seat on the Griffith Town Council.

George Jerome for the Ward 2 seat on the Griffith Town Council.

Robert "Bob" Bult for an at-large seat on the Winfield Town Council.

Democratic candidates include:

Joy L. Lewis for Hobart clerk-treasurer.

Michael Irvine for the District 4 seat on the Whiting City Council.

Brian J. Novak for the Ward 4 seat on the Highland Town Council.

Larry L. Anderson for Gary mayor.

Donna Ventura for the 6th District seat on the Hammond City Council.

Guadalupe Vega for the 6th District seat on the Hammond City Council.

April L. Bell for the 6th District seat on the Hammond City Council.

Willie B. McClain for East Chicago mayor.

Arthur M. Radziwiecki for an at-large seat on the East Chicago City Council.

Deneitrice Hill for the 6th District seat on the East Chicago City Council.

William A. Robinson for the 6th District seat on the East Chicago City Council.

Nathaniel Z. Cain Jr. for the 7th Ward seat on the Merrillville Town Council.

Tom Goralczyk for the 4th Ward seat on the Merrillville Town Council.