A candidate who ran in Tuesday's Indiana’s legislative races, is now facing criminal charges in a surprise election week turn.

Republican Jim Schenke was arrested for commenting on the social media post of someone who previously secured a protective order against him, as WFYI reports.

Schenke, the Republican hopeful for Indiana State House District 26, was detained on a Sunday evening by local authorities. His arrest stemmed from allegations of violating a protective order.

The order prohibited both direct and indirect contact, including interactions through digital platforms.

At approximately 8:35 p.m., law enforcement officers took Schenke into custody. This action followed claims that he engaged with a social media post of the individual who has secured a protective order against him.

Schenke, contesting against Democrat Chris Campbell, was aiming to represent West Lafayette and parts of Tippecanoe in the state legislature. His campaign has recently been marred by these legal troubles.

Protective Orders and Campaign Turbulence

Earlier in the year, two protective orders were issued against Schenke. Details of these legal restraints include a blanket ban on any form of contact with the protected person, extending to online interactions which led to his recent arrest.

The incident has sparked considerable controversy, given Schenke’s political aspirations and the timing of his legal difficulties. He was booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail early Monday morning following his Sunday night arrest.

The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office confirmed the booking and mentioned that a case report would remain undisclosed during the ongoing investigation.

Schenke’s Response to Arrest

Following his release on bail after a 12-hour hold, Schenke took to social media and text messages to proclaim his innocence and frame the situation as a manipulation to damage his political career.

He claimed to also have a protective order against what he described as a sociopath "stalking and menacing" him.

On his Facebook page, Schenke expressed, “For anyone who cares about honesty I have been accused of violating a protective order. In truth, I have a protective order against the sociopath who has been stalking and menacing me for months.”

Additionally, he sent a text to WFYI describing the arrest as “a clickbait story generated by a hostile and sometimes violent loon who has spent months trying to derail or sink my campaign.”

Community and Legal Reactions

The legal entanglements of Schenke have prompted a mixed reaction among the constituents of District 26. While some view the arrest as a significant concern, others suspect political motivations may be influencing the proceedings.

Local legal analysts suggest that the implications of such incidents can be profound for political figures, potentially affecting public trust and voter confidence.

The arrest has undoubtedly added a layer of complexity to Schenke’s political ambitions, and he did go down to defeat in Tuesday's contest.

As the investigation continues, the community and potential voters are closely watching how these legal challenges will impact Schenke’s future.

Upcoming legal proceedings and their eventual outcomes remain a focal point of interest to many voters in the Hoosier state.