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 2011
BLUE COUNTY: Elwood makes complete flip in 4 years
- Election 2011
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Ockomon suing Spencer for alleged defamation
Mayor Kris Ockomon has filed a lawsuit against Teresa Spencer claiming false statements she made that resulted in damage to Ockomon. The suit claims that Spencer “provided false and unprivileged statements to the media and general public, orally and in writing."
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Election results at individual precincts changed a lot from '07
Democratic Mayor Kris Ockomon believes part of the blame for his re-election loss lies with the votes that went to Libertarian Rob Jozwiak instead of him. But Jozwiak disagrees and thinks that if he hadn’t been a candidate, Republican Kevin Smith would have still won.
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Summitville races in question
One of the candidates for Summitville’s clerk/treasurer said she is contemplating her next step is after alleging that she and other Democratic candidates witnessed several voting improprieties during Tuesday’s election.
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Editorial: Voters elect Smith, send message of disenchantment
Each of the three men who ran for mayor of Anderson 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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Kevin Smith back as Anderson mayor
Four years after citizens chose not to re-elect Kevin Smith, they changed their minds. Smith, who was the Republican mayor from 2004 to 2007, was elected on Tuesday to retake office next year.
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Council incumbents re-elected; newcomer joins them
The eight incumbents who sought re-election to Anderson City Council got their wishes Tuesday, which left the Democratic party continuing to hold the majority. The ninth position will have a new face — Democrat Ty Bibbs in an at-large seat.
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Frankton gets new clerk/treasurer
At around 8:30 p.m. Kathy Hudson, Frankton Town Council clerk, had the final tally including the next person that would fill her shoes.
With almost double the votes, the duty went to Democratic candidate Jack Brown. -
Republicans oust Dems in Chesterfield
Republicans ousted two Democratic incumbents in the Chesterfield election Tuesday night. Deborah Dunham will replace Candy Bennett as the clerk/treasurer and Jerry Fields will fill Lynette Carter’s seat on the town council.
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Dockrey upset in Alexandria council race
A second shot at running for office paid off for Dan Stanley. The Democratic at-large candidate led the final election results Tuesday with 32 percent of the vote, landing a spot on Alexandria City Council.
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Arnold overcomes Democratic dominance in Elwood
A five-point plan including the establishment of a development commission proved to be the difference in Republican candidate Ron Arnold’s campaign for Elwood mayor.
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