Uncategorized | Jan 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

DeBaun and Zerr win!!!

Democrats secure top two City Hall jobs!

To paraphrase Mark Twain - ’rumors of our death are greatly exaggerated.’

Democrats in Shelbyville are back in a big way!!!

Shelbyville Mayor-elect Tom DeBaun shook hands and thanked supporters at Democrat Headquarters on election night with the same enthusiasm he wielded to defeat his well-financed opponent Nov. 8.

DeBaun trounced city councilman Jeff Sponsel by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, securing the top post in city government 2,293 votes to 1,311.

Right along side Tom, former mayor Frank Zerr reclaimed his old job as clerk-treasurer, defeating his incumbent Republican opponent Rod Meyerholtz by 1,909 to 1,678.

Despite hard-fought campaigns, Democrats did not secure seats on the Common Council – the GOP has all seven council seats for the next four years, though not by much.

In the 1st Ward, hats off to Joanne Bowen who, through her selfless hard work and perseverance, came short of victory by only 17 votes, falling to incumbent Dick Fero 310 to 294.

Democrat Kerry May lost to David Carmony, 290 to 234 in Ward 2.  Meanwhile in Ward 3, incumbent Rob Nolley, cited by The Shelbyville News as having the worst attendance record of any member of the City Council, defeated Democrat Jim Atkins inexplicably by 640 to 356.

Kudos to Carrie Ridgeway whose dedication and tell-it-like-it-is honesty took her to within 27 votes of sending Republican  Ron Hamilton on his way, in a 411 to 385 heart-breaker in the 4th Ward.

And here’s to Jeff Wright for his even-tempered, steadfast campaign effort that nearly took him to victory over Republican Jason Brown, 341 to 275.

Many thanks also to Wade Lewis and Poochie Macklin, our at-large council candidates, who lost to incumbents David Phares and Brian Asher by very small percentage margins. 

Elsewhere, the ‘un-official mayor’ of Morristown, Democrat Don Roberts, has won back his old job of Clerk-Treasurer, but the GOP will retain control of the Morristown Town Council.

Overall turnout in the election was nearly 34.5 percent.

Countless thanks to all of our volunteers and supporters!!! 

Without you this great election victory would not have been possible.  But the effort has just begun.  Please come to our monthly meetings and support the Democrat Party every day in every way!

THANK YOU ALL!!!