BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University politics experts are available this week to discuss national, state and local elections with news media.

Profiles and contact information for experts, links to election-related news releases and blog posts, details on arranging interviews and other information can be found at Decision 2016, a comprehensive guide for news media to election-related resources at Indiana University.

IU faculty can address election issues from the perspectives of political science, history, gender, race and ethnicity, communication, political satire, international relations and more. Dozens of them have provided commentary to media ranging from local papers to The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Experts are available at the university's core campuses in Bloomington and Indianapolis and at regional campuses in Gary, Kokomo, New Albany, Richmond and South Bend. Some of the most widely quoted include:

-- Andrew Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.-- Julia Fox, associate professor of communication science at The Media School in Bloomington, whose recent research examines comedic news programs like "The Daily Show" as sources of political information.-- Bernard Fraga, an assistant professor of political science in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences, who studies voter registration and participation, including voting trends for racial and ethnic groups.-- Paul Helmke, a professor of practice in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington. He is the former mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and former CEO of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.-- Marjorie Hershey, professor of political science in Bloomington, whose research and teaching focus on political parties, campaigns and elections.-- Kristina Sheeler, professor of communication in the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, an authority on gender and political speech and co-author of "Woman President: Confronting Postfeminist Political Culture."

Along with the presidential contest, several Indiana races are receiving attention for their significance in the nation's political alignments in 2017.

The Senate race between Democratic former Sen. Evan Bayh and Republican Rep. Todd Young is a ferocious contest that has attracted tens of millions of dollars in outside spending. Southern Indiana's 9th Congressional District is rated "leans Republican" by national election experts but could be close between Republican Trey Hollingsworth and Democrat Shelli Yoder.

Also likely to make national news is the Indiana governor's race. With Gov. Mike Pence running for vice president, the gubernatorial race matches Republican Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb against Democrat John Gregg, former speaker of the Indiana House.

To arrange interviews with IU experts, contact Steve Hinnefeld (812-856-3488, [email protected]) or George Vlahakis (812-855-0846, [email protected]) at IU Bloomington, Rich Schneider (317-278-4564, [email protected]) at IUPUI or news and media contacts at any of the IU campuses.