Clawson gets Republican nod for commissioner

Delphi resident Patrick F. Clawson won the Republican nomination for county commissioner, district 2, in Carroll County, ousting incumbent George Mears.

"I am thoroughly impressed by the number of voters who turned out for this important election," Clawson said upon winning the nod. "My next step is to prepare for the fall election. I appreciate everyone who supported me and I hope to continue to have their support."

"It's time to start studying the job now," he continued. "I will attend commissioner meetings when I can."

"I am looking forward to the fall election and whatever comes after that," he concluded.

Clawson had 1,153 votes (62.29%); Mears 698 votes (37.71%).

Incumbent William R. "Bill" Brown was uncontested in district 3. He had 1,361 votes.

Scott W. Ayres of Flora and Jay B. Bordner of Bringhurst, along with incumbent Carl R. Abbott of Delphi, received the Republican nominations for county council at large. Abbott received 1,209 votes (34.34%); Ayres 1,096 votes (31.13%); and Bordner 1,216 votes (34.54%).

Other Republicans who were uncontested were: Judge of the Superior Court, 74th Judicial - Jeffrey R. Smith of Delphi, 1,525 votes; Clerk of the Circuit Court - Nancy S. Mattox of Delphi, 1,559 votes; Recorder - Barbara Ann Chapman of Flora, 1,445 votes; Coroner - Jay Dee Cree of Camden, 1,643 votes; and Surveyor - Wayne E. Chapman of Delphi, 1,633 votes.

For Republican precinct committeeman, Burlington Township, Robert Davis defeated Lawrence R. Lambert by 107 votes to 84 votes.

For councilman-at-large, three Democrats receiving their party's nomination were: Richard N. DePoy of Monticello, 1,720 votes; Marion C. Huffer of Cutler, 2,318 votes; and Rolland "Dick" Roe of Delphi, 2,067 votes.

Democrats running unopposed were: Recorder - Mary Ann Burton of Delphi, 2,997 votes, and Surveyor - Dale M. Snipes, Flora, 2,937 votes.

School Boards

Three districts were open for election in both the Delphi Community and Carroll Consolidated school corporations. Those elected will begin fouryear terms on July 1.

In the Carroll school corporation, Sam L. Zook, Michelle Simmons and Richard W. "Rick" Eller were elected. Zook, the incumbent, defeated Robert J. Kauffman by a margin of 1,055 votes (51.67%) to 987 votes (48.33%) in district 4, Monroe Township. In district 3, Democrat Township, Simmons with 900 votes, (45.16%), defeated David Bordner, 757 votes, (37.98%), and Shawn Wickersham, 336 votes, (16.86%). In district 1, Burlington Township. Eller with 1,084 votes, (53.90%), defeated incumbent Michael L. Eikenberry, 542 votes, (26.95%), and Jeffrey Richardson, 385 votes, (19.14%). Candidates were voted on by all voters in the corporation.

In the Delphi school corporation, one incumbent retained his trustee position. Robert Resler of Delphi was unopposed in distict 4, Liberty Township. Resler had 108 votes. Chris W. Nipple of Rockfield defeated Paul B. Brown of Delphi in district 6, Rock Creek Township. Nipple had 109 votes (72.19%) to Brown's 42 votes (27.81%). In district 4, Liberty Township, William Ray Trueblood of Camden defeated incumbent Michael Shoemaker of Camden 89 votes (56.69%) to 68 votes (43.31%). Voters only voted for the candidates in the district in which they reside.

In the Rossville Consolidated School Corporation, all three races were unopposed - Clay Township, Mark A. Cripe of Delphi; Owen Township, John H. Spear of Frankfort; and Ross Township, Billie Roth of Rossville. All voters in the corporation voted on all candidates.

In the Twin Lakes School Corporation, candidates were voted on by their district only. Two Carroll County townships are part of the Twin Lakes corporation, Adams and Jefferson. In District 1 which includes Adams Township, three candidates sought the position. David Reiff with 63 votes (45.66%) defeated Terry Howe, 44 votes (31.88%) and Don L. Hurd, 31 votes (22.46%), all of Burnettsville. Mark D. Mills of Delphi was unopposed in District 2, Jefferson Township, receiving 495 votes.

Federal and State

Receiving the county's nomination for United States President on the Republican ticket was John McCain and on the Democratic ticket, Hillary Clinton. Clinton had 2,033 votes (55.58%) to Barack Obama with 1,625 (44.42%).

Mitch Daniels won the county's Republican nomination for governor, while Jill Long Thompson received the Democratic nomination. Thompson had 1,840 votes (53.44%) to Jim Schellinger's 1,603 votes (46.56%).

Democrat Joe Donnelly was unopposed for U.S. Representative, District 2.

The Republican nomination for State Senator, District 7, went to Brandt Hershman, who was unopposed.

For United States Representative district 2, Republican candidate Joseph Roush with 790 votes defeated Luke Puckett (384 votes) and Tony Zirkle (355 votes) in Carroll County.

Republican Richard W. "Rich" McClain defeated Richard "Rick" Eller for State Representative district 24 with 1,098 votes (56.54%) to 844 votes (43.46%).

Voter turnout

Of the 14,037 registered voters in Carroll County, 5,751 cast ballots (40.97%) on Tuesday. Of that total, 2,023 were Republican ballots, 3,718 Democratic ballots, and ten were non-partisan.