Published: November 05, 2008 04:50 pm      

Democrats sweep Floyd County Council seats

Republicans win recorder, treasurer races

Brad Striegel made the most of his second chance.

Striegel finished fourth in the Democrat primary in the Floyd County Council at-large race in May. But when Randy Stumler resigned his spot on the ballot to take a teaching job overseas, the door opened again for Striegel.

Tuesday, Striegel made the most of that opportunity by leading a Democrat sweep for the three at-large seats. He finished with 17,329 votes, or 18.5 percent, while fellow Democrats Ted Heavrin and Carol Shope followed closely behind. Heavrin ran second with 16,753 votes, or 17.8 percent, while Shope was third with 15,630 votes, or 16.6 percent.

Striegel was placed on the ballot by Floyd County Democrat Chairwoman Marcey Wisman following Stumler’s exit. He said he was grateful for the second chance.

“I have to give it up to Marcey Wisman for selecting me,” Striegel said. “She had faith in me.”

So did the voters of Floyd County. With six candidates running for three at-large seats, Striegel’s fate was never in doubt.

“A lot of people stepped up and worked hard for my campaign,” he said. “Once I got a second chance, I made it happen.”

“Some people criticized me when I put Brad Striegel on the ballot,” Wisman told a large group of Democrats gathered at the Knights of Columbus. “But I knew he was going to win and he did.”

Heavrin and Shope, council veterans, also won another term.

Heavrin, who served 16 years on the council before losing in the 2006 District 1 primary to Tom Pickett, is currently finishing out Stumler’s term. He said he was not surprised with the three Democrats being elected to the council Tuesday.

“I think people are tired of what is going on in Washington D.C. and it comes down to the county level. They want to try something different,” Heavrin said. “I think my experience working with the budget and other office holders helped. People know I have experience.”

Republican incumbent Dana Fendley was disappointed in her loss but proud of the effort. She said she handed out 6,000 brochures and put out 300 yard signs. She finished with 15,100 votes, or 16.1 percent.

“I couldn’t have done anything else,” she said while watching the final returns at the Calumet Club. “I gave it everything I had, it had to be something else. I think straight party voting and people not knowing what we do is what got me.”

Larry Summers, who led the Republican at-large candidates in the primary, ran fourth Tuesday with 15,164 votes, or 16.1 percent of the vote.

“I’ll be back,” he said. “In some way, in some form and in some fashion, I’ll be back.”

Other County Races

Republicans won two county offices. Linda Berger, who has spent the past eight years as Floyd County Recorder, received 17,587 votes, or 52.1 percent, compared to Democrat Bette Buechler’s 16,153 votes, or 47.9 percent, in the race for Floyd County Treasurer.

Berger said her performance the last eight years as recorder probably put her over the top.

“I think people see that I care and I run the office more like a business,” she said. “I had a lot of support from my family, my friends and my church.”

Buechler, a first-time candidate, said she knew it would be a tight race. She has worked in the treasurer’s office for 18 years.

“That’s politics,” she said. “I knew Linda would be a worthy adversary.”

Current Treasurer Darlene McCoy was defeated by Lois Naville Endris in the race for Floyd County Recorder. Endris finished with 17,330 votes, or 50.9 percent, compared to McCoy’s 16,750 votes, or 49.2 percent.

Democrat Leslie Knable easily won the race for coroner. She collected 19,249 votes to John Patrick Click’s 14,735 votes — 56.6 percent to 43.4 percent.

William Gibson was re-elected county surveyor. He finished with 17,335 votes, or 51.5 percent, compared to Tom Boofter’s 16,358 votes, or 48.6 percent.



By the numbers

County Council at-large

Ted Heavrin-D 16,753 (17.83%)

Carol Shope-D 15,630 (16.64%)

Brad C Striegel-D 17,329 (18.45%)

Dana Fendley-R 15,100 (16.08%)

Harry T. Harbison-R 13,958 (14.86%)

Larry M. Summers-R 15,164(16.14%)



County Recorder

Lois Naville-Endris-R 17,330 (50.85%)

Darlene McCoy-D 16,750 (49.15%)



County Treasurer

Linda Berger-R 17,587 (52.13%)

Bette A. Buechler-D 16,153 (47.87%)



County Coroner

Leslie Knable-D 19,249 (56.64%)

John Patrick Click-R 14,735 (43.36%)



County Surveyor

William Gibson-R 17,335 (51.45%)

Thomas J. Boofter-D 16,358 (48.55%)