Columbus election results getting national notice for Pence’s hometown

The Columbus election results are getting attention from the national press with most media outlets focusing on Vice President Mike Pence’s hometown turning blue for the first time since the 1980s.

The story of the City Council flip from Republican to Democratic control was first picked up on by politics followers on social media and then spread to Newsweek, the New York Times and the Associated Press. Celebrities were tweeting about the switch yesterday including Bette Midler.

Barb Hackman, chairwoman of the Bartholomew County Republican party talks about the change following the election results Tuesday night after the polls closed.

She said the races were heart-breakingly close, particularly Republican Dascal Bunch’s loss to Democrat Jerone Wood by a single vote.

She also took note of Republican Josh Burnett’s narrow loss in the at-large races. Democrat Tom Dell edged out Burnett 3,409 to 3,339.

Democratic council members Elaine Wagner and Dell retained their seats in Tuesday’s election, while newcomers Wood and Grace Kestler also won, giving the Democrats a 4-3 majority on next year’s council. Republican councilmen Frank Miller, Tim Shuffett and Dave Bush retained their seats.

Republican Mayor Jim Lienhoop was unopposed in Tuesday’s election along with Republican Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer.