Bush to remain president, Indiana has Republican governor
Republicans sweep county races - Large voter turnout
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

George W. Bush will be the 44th President of the United States, with Dick Cheney serving as Vice President, according to an acceptance speech given by Bush on Wednesday. While the final count for Ohio is still out, John Kerry gave his concession speech about 1:00 p.m. the day after Election Day. National networks were hesitant to call a winner in the race, cautiously saying it was too close.

Ripley County results were much more clear cut. Republicans have swept races all the way to the governor's office where Mitch Daniels defeated Joe Kernan, making him the first Republican governor in the state in 16 years. Ripley County voters contributed to his win by giving Daniels 6925 votes over Kernan's 4635 votes.

Ripley County voters came out in record number with over 1200 absentee ballots cast. According to Marilyn Hunt, election deputy, she said the process went relatively smooth with their office taking numerous phone calls about where to vote and if people were registered. "The day to find out that information is not the day of election," she emphasized urging voters to find out ahead of time if they are indeed registered and where they should be voting. "That would eliminate some disappointed people who can't vote because they aren't registered," she said.

Results began rolling in a little before 6:30 p.m. after the polls closed at 6:00 p.m. with all 27 precincts bringing in their results by 8:00 p.m.

Local races that were watched
closely were: Commissioner, Council At-Large, Recorder, and the South Ripley School Board.

Incumbent Republican Charles (Chuck) Folz will remain Commissioner with 6578 votes to challenger Tim Howder's 4794. Folz and his wife Barbara, watched the monitors on the first floor of the courthouse intently, and when the race was over, Folz said he just wants to continue to serve the people. Howder was not discouraged with his first try at politics, and said he'll be back in four years.

The other Commissioner seat up for grabs went to Republican Lawrence Nickell, who received 6228 votes over Charles E. Cook, who is the Democratic Chairman for the county and came in with 5023 votes. As Nickell reflected on the evening he quietly said he felt humbled and honored all at the same time. "I'm so thankful to get the job and willing to serve the people," he commented, adding, "You know you've got to do the job right when so many people have faith and confidence in you." Nickell said he pledged to take the position of Commissioner seriously and fulfill his duties to the best of his ability for the betterment of the county.

With six candidates, three Republican and three Democrat, running for County Council At-Large, voters could vote for three. Those getting the most votes were all Republicans with Mark Busching taking the lead with 7108 votes, Donald Dunbar with 6319 and newcomer Benjamin W. Peetz following closely with 6200.

Republican incumbent Tammy Borgman easily defeated Democrat challenger Nancy K. Adams, with 7444 votes over Adams' 3862. Borgman noted she is grateful for the support from the county and her office will continue to serve the county with efficient, friendly service.

The race for South Ripley School Board saw an upset with incumbent Barry Lauber narrowly losing the seat he has held for 12 years to Jim D. Samples. Samples received 995 votes, with Lauber getting 947. Also, first time running for office was Chris Bradford, who took the lead over Dan Goris. Bradford came in with 1379 votes and Goris received 1315.

Bradford said while this is his first time to run for a political office in the county, he is no stranger to the world of politics. His mother, Ginger Bradford, is the present Clerk, and has been involved with politics for a long time. Saying he is ready to get going, Bradford noted, "I look forward to working as a team with others on the school board." He also noted that he is not afraid to stand alone on issues he feels are important.

Randel S. McIntosh ran unopposed for South Ripley School Board getting 2047 votes.

Uncontested races were that of Circuit Court Clerk Ginger Bradford; County Treasurer Earline Copeland and County Coroner Eric Karsteter, all Republicans, remaining in office.

TOWN OF OSGOOD

The only contested race for the Town of Osgood was that of Town Council Member At-Large. Republican incumbent Jeffrey J. Volz will remain on the council with 304 votes to Democrat challenger Larry R. Winters, who received 246 votes.
Republican Tammy Wilhoit was unopposed and will be the Clerk-Treasurer.

Republican challenger Mike Sodrel gave an acceptance speech early on Wednesday morning from his hometown of Jeffersonville, as he defeated Democrat incumbent Baron Hill in the race for District 9 Congressman. In Ripley County voters gave Sodrel 7104 votes, with Hill receiving 4482 votes. Sodrel defeats a number of years of Democrat rule in that particular seat.

Statewide, Republican Steve Carter won over Joseph Hogsett for Attorney General and Republican incumbent Suellen Reed will remain Superintendent of Public Education.

Ripley County voters are divided into three districts when it comes to voting for State Representative. Incumbent Republican Cleo Duncan will go back to the House for District 67; challenger Republican Billy Bright upset incumbent Democrat Markt Lytle to represent District 69, and Democrat incumbent Robert J. Bischoff will remain in District 68. He received 1440 votes from Ripley County voters and Libertarian challenger Mike Goodpaster received 301 votes.

Incumbent US Senator Evan Bayh, Democrat, will remain in office with Ripley County voters giving him 6212 votes. He was challenged by Republican Marvin Scott, who received 5282 votes from Ripley County voters.

Clerk Ginger Bradford noted that her office was still busy on Wednesday with the final details, but everything appeared to have run very smooth. "It was an overwhelming turnout," she noted saying of the 19,508 registered voters, 11,962 cast ballots.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Chris Bradford, left, watches the returns as he takes a call on his cell phone Tuesday night. His wife, Sarah, and children, along with his father Bill, were also awaiting the results. Bradford won over Dan Goris for South Ripley School Board.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Tammy Borgman, left, smiles as she watches the returns on a computer in the Recorder's Office. Michelle Cutter and Teresa Parker also watch as Borgman takes the lead and is the incumbent Republican for the office of Recorder.