Published: November 05, 2008 05:01 pm      

Bush, Freiberger win re-election in commissioner races

District 3 close, District 2 easily decided

By the numbers

County Commissioner District 2

Chuck Freiberger-D 18,128 (52.72%)

Dave Matthews-R 13,384 (38.93%)

George Mouser-I 2,871 (8.35%)



County Commissioner District 3

Steve Bush-R 17,378 (50.86%)

Dennis Roudenbush-D 16,778 (49.12%)



Republican Steve Bush didn’t know what was happening in his race for the Floyd County Commissioners’ District 3 seat. He was too busy listening to his son play in a band concert at Highland Hills Middle School.

Bush got the news he was hoping for, however, when he heard a loud roar after entering the Calumet Club on Tuesday night. The noise and handshakes confirmed he had won his bid for re-election.

Bush, president of the commissioners, held off a strong challenge from Democrat Dennis Roudenbush to claim the victory. He finished with 17,378 votes, or 50.9 percent, to Roudenbush’s 16,778 votes, or 49.1 percent.

“I knew it would be close, Dennis ran a tough race,” Bush said. “He had a lot of signs out there.”

Bush also knew it would be tough to overcome a large voter turnout and an anti-Republican sentiment at the national level.

“There were a lot of new voters and there was a lot of electricity with the presidential race,” he said. “When I ran four years ago, President Bush was popular and I think that helped.”

Bush said a lot of Democrats crossed over to vote for him which he said shows residents appreciate his honesty and hard work.

“I work for the people of Floyd County,” he said. “I think people can see that I do that. It’s about getting the job done, it’s not about Democrat or Republican.”

Two-term incumbent Chuck Freiberger had an easier time in his bid for re-election for the District 2 commissioners’ seat. Freiberger finished with 18,128 votes, or 52.7 percent, of the vote, while Republican Dave Matthews had 12,384 votes, or 38.9 percent. Independent candidate George Mouser ran third in the race with 2,871 votes, or 8.4 percent.

“I feel really good,” Freiberger said about the win. “I work hard for the people and the community. I work hard for Floyd County and that is what I am all about.

“We have a lot going on (in the county) but what we have to find is financial stability. We’ve got to find it.”

Matthews, chairman of the Floyd County Republican Party, said he knew it would be difficult to beat a quality incumbent.

“I expected it to be closer than it was,” he said. “Chuck is a good man and he has done a good job for eight years. I can’t say anything bad about Chuck.”

With Bush winning re-election, Republicans maintain a 2-1 advantage on the Floyd County Commissioners. Republican Mark Seabrook, who was not up for re-election Tuesday, is the third commissioner.