GOP Candidate Schenke arrested for allegedly violating protective order

On the eve of Election Day, Jim Schenke, candidate for District 26's Statehouse race, was arrested on a preliminary charge of invasion of privacy.

Schenke allegedly commented on a Facebook post from someone who has a protective order placed against him about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to media logs.

"Part of the order is to not have any direct or indirect contact, and that does include social media," said Tippecanoe County Sheriff Robert Goldsmith. "The (victim) ... made a post on Facebook and Mr. Schenke commented on it, so he was arrested for invasion of privacy."

The post was reported to the sheriff's office about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, according to media logs, and Schenke was arrested at his home Monday on Longspur Drive West.

Schenke has two other recent charges against the government, both of which are related to his campaign.

Last month, Schenke allegedly drove his campaign motorhome into a light post while the vehicle was uninsured. The charge of operating a motor vehicle without insurance was dropped Oct. 22.

The other, still pending, case comes from the Tippecanoe County Election Board for allegedly inadequately putting political disclaimers in campaign advertisements. Though the complaint comes from a government body, the charges are civil.

Editor's Note

This article has been updated because it originally misstated the district Schenke is running for office in. He is a candidate for District 26's Statehouse race.