ELWOOD — Democrats here said the 2008 presidential race gave them an opportunity to showcase the city’s blue history.
After favoring George W. Bush four years ago, Elwood precincts did a flip to the left in support of Sen. Barack Obama last Tuesday.
The election results did not surprise Debra Seres, an organizer in Pike Creek Township’s Fourth Precinct.
“This has been a Democrat stronghold for eons,” she said. “When manufacturing went out, things kind of changed. I think the Democrats let their guard down, and now we’re organized again.”
Seres and others said the area’s suffering economy motivated many people to support a change in the nation’s leading party.
Elwood has suffered through several business closings this year, resulting in high unemployment and home foreclosures.
“Everyone is fed up with the Republicans and they way Bush has done things,” said Steve Richards, another Democrat organizer.
HR Miller, a Republican precinct committeeman in Elwood, agreed the economy hurt his party, but the blame was unjust.
“You just blame it on whoever is in power,” he said. “With all the news media that’s been given to Obama, people just went wild for the idea and didn’t really know who he was.”
Also, in a community where only three decades ago the Ku Klux Klan held major sway, some Democrats worried that people wouldn’t support a black presidential candidate. But Seres said she was surprised by how eager many people were to support Obama without any regard for his race.
And as Richards said, “It’s not 1970 anymore.”
Election 2012
BLUE COUNTY: Elwood makes complete flip in 4 years
- Election 2012
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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
While the Nov. 6 general election is months away, both Republican Susan Brooks and Democrat Scott Reske are beginning to piece together campaign strategies in the 5th Congressional District.
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Four of six Madison County Council candidates are female
For the first time in as long as anyone can remember, four women are seeking seats on the Madison County Council in the November general election.
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Democrat Gregg keeps up bipartisanship push
Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg is keeping up his talk of bipartisanship as Democrats work on raising it as an issue for the general election.
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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
The November election for Madison County surveyor will be a rematch between two men who have both held the position.
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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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Messer wins GOP bid for Ind. seat Pence giving up
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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Gaskill tops GOP ballot in county council race
Mike Gaskill led all other Republicans running for an at-large seat on the County Council in Tuesday’s primary, winning 7,071 votes.
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