Arnold overcomes Democratic dominance in Elwood

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Elwood City Council at-large Republican candidate Kitty Kleinbub and Republican mayoral candidate Ron Arnold greet Patty and Steve Vincent as they arrive at the polls at the St. Joseph's Center on Tuesday. Don Knight

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November 8, 2011

Mayor-elect wins 64 percent of vote

By Sam Brattain The Herald Bulletin The Herald Bulletin Tue Nov 08, 2011, 10:16 PM EST

ELWOOD, Ind. — A five-point plan proved to be the difference in Republican candidate Ron Arnold’s campaign for Elwood mayor.

“It meant everything," Arnold said. "People are a lot more skeptical today than at any time in my lifetime. They are tired of empty promises; they want to know specifically what you’re going to do.”

With 64 percent of the vote, Arnold defeated Democratic opponent Fred Mort.

Arnold’s plan calls for establishing a redevelopment commission, creating a downtown economic development target area, job creation, maintaining public safety and city cleanliness, and improving the city’s infrastructure.

Arnold will replace Democrat Merrill Taylor, who chose not to run for re-election because of his wife’s illness. She died in April. Taylor said he visited Arnold at his campaign headquarters to congratulate him on his victory.

“I think Ron is a very knowledgeable young man, who has similar ideas to what I had,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he felt Mort would have been a “fine” mayor as well, but the voice of the people has spoken. He added that he looks forward to helping Arnold transition into his new office.

“He won’t be coming in blind,” Taylor said.

A native of Elwood, Arnold said the city tends to lean Democrat. He had been concerned about how party affiliation might affect the race.

“People get into a political pattern, but we are fiercely independent folk,” Arnold said.

Before returning to Elwood in 2009 to start his own political consulting firm, Arnold spent 10 years as deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, Madison County’s congressman.

Mort spent much of the election visiting each precinct in the city. He called Elwood a “notoriously” Democratic area, but said before the votes were counted that he believed the city could vote in a Republican mayor.

“The city gets tired of Democratic rule from time to time,” Mort said.

While Mort admitted he did not have the political savvy of his competitor, he called himself a “worker,” who would work to get Elwood back on track.

“(Arnold’s) a good politician; I’m not. I tell it the way it is. I don’t butter it up,” said Mort, who spent election night at campaign treasurer Ruth Gilman’s home with about 40 other people.

Arnold said he spent much of the election talking to voters at the polls. He said he received mostly positive feedback for his five-point plan.

“We heard over and over again how much people appreciated it,” Arnold said.

Election night, Arnold waited for the results at the Elwood Veterans of Foreign Wars building, where he is a member. Arnold’s father, who died two years ago, was a Marine Corps veteran.

Arnold will be working with a city council that is predominately Democratic, with the exception of at-large member Republican Brent Boston. However, Taylor said party affiliation should have no effect.

“They will work good with each other. There will be no problems, none,” Taylor said.

Contact Sam Brattain: 640-4883, sam.brattain@heraldbulletin.com

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