By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
Republicans swept every one of the offices on the Hamilton County ballot in Tuesday’s mid-term election from U.S. Senator to township board members. Although many, especially at township level, went uncontested to the GOP. So, you’d think they would be quite happy with the results. Voter turnout was 48 percent, about what is expected in the mid-term.
Republicans are, of course, happy to win, but the margins are growing smaller with each election. Democrats were not satisfied with the results, but voice optimism about the future. A few years ago, Republicans won with 70 and even 75 percent in most contests.
In Tuesday’s election, GOP margins in countywide races were in the range of 57 to 59 percent. Some at the township level were even closer. In many counties that would be considered good enough, but in Hamilton County it is not outstanding.
So what is happening? The massive number of new residents is making a difference. Many are more liberal, and the county is getting more diverse. This shows up at the ballot box.
How will the parties deal with this?
Issues are important, but only if presented by candidates. Republicans should have an advantage here because most residents seem happy with the peaceful and prosperous environment in the county.
Democrats are likely to agree but promise to make further improvements. They will need to recruit more candidates so as not to leave offices uncontested and continue to get new residents registered to vote and to the polls on Election Day.
Republicans may try to tighten up their precinct organization in an effort to locate their voters, better inform them and ready to vote. They will also need top-notch candidates so as not to simply rely on the Republican label.
Next year’s election is for municipal offices: mayor, city council, city clerk and town council in the smaller communities.
The trend toward shrinking GOP margins may continue, especially in Fishers and Carmel as hundreds of new apartment units fill with a new, younger, and more diverse population.
So, future elections will likely be decided by the political party that best adapts to the changing demographics and demands of the growing electorate.
Columnist Fred Swift has worked in newspapers for decades. He has been sharing his opinions in the pages of The Reporter since it began.
My involvement in the Republican Party started in 2012. I used to attend all the events. Before moving to Carmel in 2010 I lived in Massachusetts. I know how to speak to these voters. I have some ideas for how we can increase involvement in the party through 2024. In 2020, a plurality of voters in Carmel voted for Biden. We can reverse this in 2024 and restore a strengthen Republican slate in our city council. Mario and the leadership team should reach out to me. I want to help.
I don’t live in Carmel anymore (Westfield), but objectively based on council votes in a hypothetical matchup between Rider and Nelson for mayor, is there any difference? Would the two democrat challengers for Clay township board voted more or less fiscally conservative than Snyder and Eckhard? Based on past votes, it would be tough to outspend Carmel/Clay Republicans.
What swift didn’t mention is that many of our current and even past “republican” officials are actually left wing liberals running as Republicans. Case in point is former two term Mayor and life long politician Mary-sue Roland who once again won more time on the public dole. Sad day for taxpayers but the loss of another liberal, Mr. Busby, does bring hope.