ANDERSON — Gov. Mitch Daniels coasted to an easy re-election Tuesday night over persistent challenger Jill Long Thompson, who conceded defeat at about 9 p.m.
Daniels wasn’t shy about advancing his call for change into a second term as he celebrated his victory with supporters at Conseco Fieldhouse about 9:30 p.m.
“The movement for change is moving ahead,” he declared.
“This is less an endorsement than an instruction, this is less a victory than an assignment,” Daniels said. “And what the people of Indiana have said is that they want us to press forward with change and improvement and reform to make education better, taxpayers better protected and make this the great state it can be.”
Long Thompson says the race didn’t turn out as she hoped, but says her campaign “put a big crack in that glass ceiling.”
The third floor of the Paramount Theatre Centre was rocking to the ear-splitting sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Shining Star” as Republicans gathered to watch the results.
“Mitch Daniels has done a great job,” said Bruce Dunham. “He’s treated the state as a business instead of politics as usual.”
Grerayle Walton, kneeling down staring into a computer screen, worked to re-elect Daniels.
“I think he’s done a good job,” he said. He cited the new caseworkers the governor had hired and the selling of the toll road. “He’ll do good for another four years.”
Kids ran around and cheers rang up when a favorite, U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, who had just been elected for another term, came in to talk to the faithful.
Democrats, of course, weren’t as excited at the re-election of Daniels.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Patrick Manship, Democratic candidate for surveyor. “He worked hard and had more money to spend on advertising.” Daniels reportedly outspent Thompson by $10 million.
He said he talked to many Democrats when he campaigned door to door and found that they favored Daniels.
Pat Davis, Anderson Township assessor whose job was on the line in Tuesday’s election, said she was disappointed. “I don’t like privatization.”
She said because of Daniels’ policies, people can expect more taxes, such as wheel tax and for trash pickup.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Election 2012
10:05 p.m.: Daniels coasts to victory
- Election 2012
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Governor candidate Gregg chooses Simpson for ticket
Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg reached out to his party's base Tuesday with his pick for lieutenant governor, a liberal lawmaker with decades of experience at the Indiana Statehouse. Gregg tapped Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson as his running mate Tuesday. Simpson's husband, attorney Bill McCarty, is a former Anderson resident.
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Gregg seeks corporate tax cut for Indiana businesses
Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg called for eliminating the state's corporate income tax on Indiana-based businesses Wednesday as he continued to roll out his policy ideas ahead of November's election.
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Brooks, Reske look ahead to November
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Four of six Madison County Council candidates are female
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Democrat Gregg keeps up bipartisanship push
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PAC promotes values of good government
The Friends of Madison County political action committee could be justified in gloating about its electoral success in Tuesday’s primary. But instead of crowing about how it beat the other guys, a spokesman for the group on Thursday chose to emphasize the PAC’s core mission of improving Madison County.
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Rematch in surveyor's race
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Pence, Gregg unopposed for Indiana governor bids
Republican Mike Pence and Democrat John Gregg have won their parties' nominations to take the place of term-limited Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
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Former state Rep. Luke Messer has won the Republican nomination for eastern Indiana's 6th District seat that GOP Rep. Mike Pence is giving up to run for governor.
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Brooks wins a close one in 5th Congressional District
Former U.S. Attorney Susan Brooks, who was most vocal in challenging David McIntosh’s residency, edged to victory Tuesday night in a tight race decided late when the last precincts of Marion County were counted.
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