While Republican Mike Sodrel lost to Democratic Rep. Baron Hill by nearly 42,000 votes during last week's election, Libertarian Eric Schansberg managed to gain the overall number of votes he received.
Schansberg, still a distant third to his major party counterparts, said the difference was in the amount of campaigning he did this time.
“I campaigned a lot harder this year,” he said, noting that he walked business districts, ran radio and TV ads and participated in more parades.
The campaign did everything it could do with the resources it had, he said.
Sodrel and Hill have faced each other four times now. Schansberg entered the race for the first time in 2006.
That year, he received 9,893 votes, according to the Indiana Secretary of State's Office. The votes are not completely counted yet, but he's received 10,090 this year, according to the office.
Schansberg expects that number to rise as totals trickle in, saying he’s heard that he’s gotten 12,000 votes.
Historically, the third-party candidate rarely does well enough to win.
There’s much talk about change, Schansberg said, but it seems that change is narrowly defined within the two-party system.
But the Libertarian says he’s not opposed to running as a major party candidate.
“I’ve had people approach me on both sides, saying ‘wow I wish you were our candidate,’” he said.
He’s not sure there’d be room for him to run in the Democratic Party — because of Hill's incumbency — but would consider the Republican Party.
“I think he would probably be a viable candidate if he ran as a Republican,” said Linda Gugin, professor of political science at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany.
Libertarians often lack the name recognition that Republicans and Democrats have, she said. She also noted that voters often have a hard time voting for them because they feel like it would be throwing their vote away.
“The two parties are so well-ingrained in the voters mind that there's this automatic impulse to vote Democrat or Republican.”
Schansberg said he's not a party insider, so would likely not be even considered as a candidate.
“I don't know whether I would be welcomed in either major party,” he said.
Clark County
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Could Libertarian Schansberg be lured to GOP?
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
The Indiana Court of Appeals heard the respective oral arguments on the town of Sellersburg’s effort to annex the Covered Bridge Subdivision and the Willows on Wednesday. Covered Bridge appealed the trial court’s ruling that the town’s annexation preceded the subdivision’s effort to incorporate into an independent town and that, in exchange for sewer service, the residents would agree to not remonstrate against the annexation attempt.
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Redistricting on tap again for Jeffersonville
Though they just did so last year, it’s already time for the Jeffersonville City Council to start thinking about redistricting again.
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JEFF Fest set for June 9
The Jeffersonville Entire Family Fun Festival, better known as JEFF Fest, will
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be held from 11 a.m.. to 4 p.m. June 9 in Jeffersonville’s Preservation Park, 150 W. Market St. -
Charlestown encourages Realtors and developers to help it grow
he city hosted a showcase for about 200 developers and Realtors at Charlestown High School on Tuesday. The purpose of the showcase was to pitch the city as a place that is expected to prosper, especially in light of the continued development at River Ridge Commerce Center.
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Jeffersonville mayor vetoes two council acts
“It’s a meaningless resolution. It carries no weight. I think it’s political posturing and I’d as soon not be a part of it,” Moore said. “I will not be brought into a political discussion that’s already been decided.”
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Bridges project specifics emerging
Valentine outlined that incentives will be part of Kentucky’s contract with the winning bidder.
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He explained that once construction begins, the expected cost of construction per day will total about $80,000 and the contractor can earn incentives for finishing early and penalties for finishing late. A completion date is set for June 30, 2018. - News and Tribune briefs for May 23, 2012
- May 22, 2012
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Gregg picks Simpson for Dems ticket
Gregg got his biggest applause from the crowd Tuesday when he played up their joint support for women’s access to health care, which has become a national talking point for Democrats.
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TARC OKs rate increases
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But the transportation service had not raised its fares, aside from express routes, in four years. -
Miss Clark County 2012 entrants sought
The contest is based on interview, evening gown and professional wear competition. Any Clark County young woman between the ages of 16 to 21 is eligible to participate.
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
