ELECTION 2018

The polls opened bright and early at 6 a.m. Tuesday for voters in Morgan County and around the state, eager to weigh in on Election Day.

The U.S. Senate race in Indiana captured the attention of many across the country leading up to the midterm elections, as Republicans fought for control in D.C. And by press time, Democrat incumbent Joe Donnelly had conceded the race to Republican challenger Mike Braun. Morgan County voters mirrored that result with Braun taking 69.7 percent of the votes to Donnelly’s 25.71 percent.

In total, 25,479 ballots were cast by Morgan County voters in the general election, representing 52.8 percent of the county’s 48,279 registered voters. Those ballots included 12,418 early and absentee voters, representing 25.72 percent of the county’s registered voters.

Of all ballots cast, 10,443 voted straight ticket for the Republican Party, 1,772 voted straight ticket for the Democratic Party, and 10 voted for the Libertarian Party ticket.

Contested races in the county included the District 2 County Council race between Republican Paul Prather and Democrat Kim Milford, which Prather won with 75.4 percent of the vote. In the District 4 County Council race, Republican David Zoller also beat out Democratic challenger Dougle Gioe with 77.76 percent of the vote. And in the Brown Township Trustee race, Republican Mark Harris beat Democrat Colleen Springate. In the Madison Township Trustee race, Republican Scott Mcdonough beat Democrat Melvin Bolden Jr. with 73.49 percent of the vote.

In the race for the three seats on the Brown Township Advisory Board, Republican Christopher Hester took 28.32 percent, Republican Adam Johnson took 26.7 percent, and Republican Steven Oschman took 27.46 percent, beating out Libertarian challenger Danny Lundy, who took 17.52 percent.

The two races for seats on the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville school board were being watched closely by many in the Martinsville area, and when the final votes were tallied challenger Don Lipps beat out Tana Lobb in District 2 with 55.25 percent of the ballots cast, with Lipps taking 5,146 votes to Lobb’s 4,168.

District 5 incumbent Michelle Baugh, meanwhile, fended off a challenge by Kelly Reed in District 5 with 56.22 percent of the votes, or 4,801 votes to Reed’s 3,738.

In the race for the three seats on the Clay Township Advisory Board, Republican Anthony “Tony” Burns took 28.38 percent, Republican John Phillips took 25.57 percent, and Republican Charlene Pugh took 29.17 percent, beating out Democrat 16.88 percent.

The Paragon Town Council race saw Republican Jason Martin beat out Independent Randy Reigel with 59.71 percent of the votes.

In the race for a seat on the Eminence Community School District for Ashland-2, Jennifer Bales beat Diana Rumbaugh with 75.29 percent of the votes.

Given the heavy Republican presence in Morgan County, many of the other races on the ballot were all but decided in the May 8 primary election, making Tuesday’s general election a formality to victory.

Those winners include Morgan County Sheriff-elect Rich Myers, county commissioner Kenny Hale, District 1 county councilman Bryan Collier, District 3 county councilwoman Kelly Alcala, county clerk Stephanie Elliott, county auditor Dan Bastin, county prosecutor Steven Sonnega, county assessor Julie Brittain-Minton, Circuit Court Judge Matthew Hanson, Adams Township Trustee Linda Pruitt, Ashland Township Trustee Jeanne Walters, Baker Township Trustee David Hermann, Clay Township Trustee Bill Mitchell, Green Township Trustee Jon Fletcher, Gregg Township Trustee Matt Bishop, Harrison Township Trustee Fred Roberts, Jackson Township Trustee Samuel Witt, Jefferson Township Trustee James “Jim” Lankford, Monroe Township Trustee Michael Gene Marsh, Ray Township Trustee Joe Ramey and Washington Township Trustee Doug Henselmeier.

National races

In the 4th District U.S. House seat, Republican Jim Baird beat Democrat Tobi Beck at the Morgan County ballot boxes with 74.62 percent of the votes, translating to 6,005 votes to Beck’s 2,039.

In the race for the District 9 seat in the U.S. House, Republican incumbent Trey Hollingsworth easily won Morgan County over Democratic challenger Liz Watson with 72.86 percent of the votes, or 12,352 votes to Watson’s 4,595.

Exit polling

In northern Morgan County, voter turnout was high across Mooresville and Camby polling locations all throughout the day. There were many races of concern to voters, ranging from local races like the school board and county commissioners, to national ones such as the Senate race between Mike Braun (R) and Joe Donnelly (D). While many voters had many races on their mind when they went to the polls, the Senate race was consistently mentioned as one of particular interest.

Morgan County voter Carol Roberts was one of those voters who while concerned with local races, also had an eye on the Senate.

“Mostly the county commissioners, the trustees and the Senate,” said Roberts.

Likewise, voter Kathi Mortensen stated that the national races on the ballot were most important to her on Election Day.

“I’d say Senate and House were probably the most important,” said Kathi Mortensen.

When asked about issues motivating their selection of candidates, voters consistently mentioned the economy, immigration and healthcare concerns as primary factors in their motivation. When asked about issues of importance, Mortensen succinctly summarized her concerns and the concerns of many.

“Borders, taxes and healthcare,” said Mortensen.

Similarly, Mooresville resident Mark Jessup said that there were two issues of importance to him when he was at the polls.

“Definitely the economy and immigration,” said Mark Jessup.

Some, like Steve Shipley were hoping to see their concerns about civility in politics addressed at the ballot box, in addition to their other concerns. When asked about what motivated his vote, Shipley stated that it was primarily the economy, but said that was far from the sole decision making factor.

“Mainly the economy,” said Steve Shipley. “I’m just tired of all the negativity pitting people against people.”

Some people, like Rebecca Vance, said that they voted out of a sense of civic duty and to set a good example for the youth who would be potential voters in the future.

“I just want to make certain that we retain those that act in our best interests,” said Rebecca Vance. “Without that support, we, as a society, will tend to be less interested in what’s going on. I think it’s important that we show our youth that voting is important because this is our only time to have a voice.”

~ Staff Report | Published November 7, 2018 in The Mooresville Times