Behind every blue state there’s a red lining.
And although the Hoosier State — solidly Republican presidentially since 1964 — was eventually called in the Democratic column on the heels of the historic election of Sen. Barack Obama Tuesday, Clark County remained Republican to the hilt on top-of-the-ticket races.
Republican candidate John McCain got Clark County’s vote for president by a 53 percent to 46 percent margin. Gov. Mitch Daniels crushed challenger Jill Long Thompson, getting more than 60 percent of the local vote. And Republicans cruised to victories in races for attorney general and superintendent of public instruction in the county.
All in those races — except, of course, McCain — went on to be GOP victories, creating a big night for Republicans on the state level.
“It’s exciting to see all these people in Clark County voting for Republicans,” said David Buskill, county Republican Party chairman.
But despite the Republican victories in state offices, Democrats ran the table in local elections.
Judgeships, county commissioner, council seats and other county offices went blue.
Residents of Clark County also voted Democratic in all five area statehouse elections. And Democratic Rep. Baron Hill handily defeated Republican former congressman Mike Sodrel for the third time in four elections.
That leaves the Republicans with a question about why voters favor Democrats on the local level but the Republicans on the state and national level.
“We’ve got to do a better job of having a solidified message,” Buskill said, noting that is something national Republicans have.
The question for Buskill is “how do I get my local guys that same thing?”
He said the numbers that local Republicans are putting up are getting better and that the number of people voting straight down party lines for Republicans has increased over the years.
Additionally, last month’s visit by McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, helped the local party create an instant network with an influx of e-mail addresses, numbers and new volunteers.
That’s something Buskill believes could turn things around in future elections.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the future,” he said. “We’re going to double our efforts next year.
“We’ll find out what the disconnect is and we’ll fix it.”
Rod Pate, chairman of the Clark County Democratic Party, said he was pleased with Tuesday’s vote.
“We didn’t win the governor, but other than that, it was a clean sweep,” he said.
Going into Tuesday, he believed Obama’s presence on the ticket would have had a tremendous effect.
However, after seeing how county voters favored McCain and Daniels, he believes those running for local offices won on their merits.
Voter turnout, just more than 60 percent, also was a surprise, Pate said.
“I thought it would have been much higher,” he said, noting the excitement that surrounded the presidential race.
As to the question of why voters continue to prefer Democrats for local offices, Pate insists, “it’s because we’re good guys.”
Linda Gugin, professor of political science at Indiana University Southeast, believes the difference can be attributed to the way the county and campaigns have changed through the years.
Clark, similar to Floyd County, used to be a pretty solidly Democratic territory, she said. But social issues have come into play in recent national elections.
“And this is a very conservative part of the state,” she said.
The closest
• The closest a local Republican came to winning a seat in the election was At-Large County Council candidate Steve Doherty, who came up 662 votes short.
The most
• In challenged races, the Clark County candidate who received the most votes Tuesday was Edwin “Huck” Coots, who retained his coroner post. He received 28,480 votes.
Fun fact
• 15 Indiana counties favored Barack Obama: Perry, Lake, Marion, Madison, Delaware, Vanderburgh, Spencer, Monroe, Vigo, Vermillion, Tippecanoe, St. Joseph, Starke, LaPorte and Porter.
Clark County
The GOP great divide
Clark Republicans split national, local races
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Indiana granted No Child Left Behind waiver
As the deadline approaches, more schools are failing to meet requirements under the law, with nearly half not doing so last year, according to the Center on Education Policy.
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Democrats downsize: Clark County Democrats want to remove five precinct committee people for supporting candidates outside party
DeArk also said he never received a letter that said he may be removed as a precinct committeeman.
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“As a matter of practice, I do not accept certified mail,” he said. -
Paying their fair share?
John Gilkey, president of the town council, said when Knott initially shared the information with him a few weeks ago, he was surprised to learn some residents weren’t paying any taxes.
Continued ... - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 9, 2012
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Daniels visits Jeff to sign book, talk right-to-work
- Feb 8, 2012
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Single father graduates from Family Drug Court
Carmichael said the carrot and stick in Drug Court is not going back to prison. In the Family Treatment Drug Court, the motivation is to get their kids back. The participants have pending Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases.
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Some lawmakers want you to cruise in for Sunday commerce
The current ban on motorcycle sales is a remnant of Indiana’s old “blue laws” that prohibited various activities on Sundays. The legislature has been slowly chipping away at them.
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Court of appeals hears Messer appeal
Counseled by attorney Bart Betteau, the basis of Messer’s appeal was that his words were constitutionally-protected free speech. But Special Judge Roger Duvall upheld the merit commission’s decision in 2011.
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Jeffersonville mayor, council disagree on hiring
Moore said he would veto the legislation, but include a recommendation that the three already hired positions be funded. Zastawny said the council would consider that recommendation.
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GCCS OKs modified balanced calendar
The calendar for 2012-2013 closely follows the calendar adopted by the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation for the same year.
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Indiana granted No Child Left Behind waiver
