Wayne County Election Wrap Up

Rex Bell, chair of the Libertarian Party of Wayne County has the following release:

Election Wrap Up....We've come a long way, baby!!!

When the Libertarian Party of Wayne County was organized in 2002, we entered our first election that fall with 5 local candidates on the ballot. I was one of those candidates, running for county council.

On election night that year, I was attending the LPIN election night party at the Press Club in Indianapolis. I was talking with Phil Miller, who was at the time an elected city councilman in Greenfield, when the news came on that I had won a precinct in Jefferson township. Phil commented that he and I were the only people in the room that had ever won a precinct. I guess that meant we had a long way to go.

Here's what has happened with the local LP since then:

In 2003, Susan Bell defeated a seated Republican to become Judge of the Hagerstown Town Court, winning 3 precincts.

In 2006, Conley Tillson was elected to the Clay Township Advisory Board, and Steve Coffman was elected to the Liberty Township Advisory Board winning a precinct each.

In 2007, Susan Bell was re-elected as Judge of the Hagerstown Town Court, winning three precincts again.

We just wrapped up the 2008 general election. Here are some highlights:

Rex Bell, District 54 candidate, won 8 precincts, (6 in Wayne County, 2 in Henry County) polling as high as 64%.

Cheryl Heacox, County Commissioner District 2 candidate, won a precinct, and finished second in 5 others.

Jon Bell, District 56 candidate, won a precinct in a heavily gerrymandered Democratic district, and finished with over 20% of the vote.

Gayle Bond, County Commissioner District 3 candidate, made a strong showing, finishing with over 40% in 5 precincts.

In the District 54 race, Wayne County percentages increased from 23% in 2006, to 37% this year. In the same race, Henry County percentages increased from 9% in 2006, to 32% this year.

County Council candidates Jim Mikesell and Marvin Heacox made a good showing, finishing in double digits in several precincts.

We're still studying the election results, and will be sending more information as it becomes available. Thanks for all of your help in growing a viable 3rd party over the last 6 years.

Rex"