Editorial: Voters elect Smith, send message of disenchantment

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Kevin Smith get a hug as republicans celebrate his victory for Anderson Mayor over Kris Ockomon Tuesday evening. John P. Cleary

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November 8, 2011

Anonymous The Herald Bulletin Tue Nov 08, 2011, 11:07 PM EST

The voters have spoken, loud and clear. But not with one voice. Here’s what they had to say Tuesday in the Anderson mayoral election:

They were tired of Kris Ockomon’s administration. This message was reflected in the discrepancy between the fortunes of Ockomon and the Democratic incumbents for city council. While Ockomon lost by 404 votes (a slim margin), all of his party brethren recaptured their council seats. And Ty Bibbs, another Democrat, won the seat vacated by fellow Democrat Rick Muir.
Voters were skeptical of Republican challenger Kevin Smith. The city’s chief executive from 2004-2007, Smith regained office by winning just 45 percent of the vote. It may be the first time in the history of Anderson’s mayoral races that the winner captured less than half the vote.
A sizeable chunk of voters were so disillusioned by the major party candidates that they turned to the Libertarian in the race, Rob Jozwiak. His 1,846 votes represented 14 percent of the total and added more than 1,400 votes to what he earned in the 2007 election, when he ran as an independent. Smith actually garnered 1,082 fewer votes this time around, while Ockomon’s total fell by 2,131. About 1,800 fewer votes were cast, which makes Jozwiak’s gain all the more impressive.

Now, each of the three mayoral candidates has a clear path ahead.

For Smith, it’s back to work to regain the economic development momentum of his first term and to set petty party politics aside. This will be all the more important since he’ll be working with a heavily Democratic city council.

For Ockomon, it’s to handle defeat graciously and to find a leadership role in the community that doesn’t undercut Smith, who will take office on Jan. 1.

For Jozwiak, it’s to capitalize on his burgeoning popularity by coming in from the fringe of the political arena to build consensus and form important alliances.

Each man can continue to play a vital part in the growth of the community. Here’s hoping they foster collaboration, rather than factionalism.

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