Published: November 05, 2008 03:48 pm      

Dems sweep Clark County Council races

Republicans believe Obama's run hurt them

Democrats in Clark County swept the local elections Tuesday, with two democrats replacing two Republicans and an incumbent holding onto his seat in the county council race.

Incumbent Chuck Moore, Perry Smith and Kevin Vissing beat out their Republican opponents — incumbent Danny Yost, Steve Doherty and John Durbin.

Vissing was the leading vote-getter with 22,997, or 19.3 percent; Moore received 21,010 votes, or 17.6 percent; and Smith got 20,302 votes, or 17 percent;

Durbin was the closest challenger, with 19,640 votes, or 16.5 percent; Yost received 18,926 votes, or 15.9 percent; and Durbin finished with 16,540 votes, or 13.9 percent.

“I’ve had to run even more than a congressman,” Vissing said. “It’s been a long road, but it’s come to fruition.”

Vissing ran for Jeffersonville City Council last year and lost, but was able to grab the county council seat Tuesday. He said he plans to do the most he can with tax dollars. As a private pilot, Vissing said he especially wants to help the airport grow.

“The airport is a jewel in Clark County,” he said. “A lot of people don’t realize that, but it’s an asset.”

Smith has previous experience on the council and Council President Dave Abbott said he is glad to see him coming back to serve the county in January.

“I’m excited to have Perry back on the board — he’s good with money,” Abbott said. Smith also is excited to get another chance to work on the council.

“I’m glad to get my feet wet again,” he said. “It shows we’re still a Democratic county.”

Like Vissing, Smith said he wants to work on growing the airport. And he also plans to open the lines of communication with the county commissioners so they can work together to help the county.

“As long as I’m in with [Vissing and Moore], I’m tickled to death,” he said.

Moore is looking forward to continuing the work he has already begun as a councilman to keep the budget in check and taxes low.

“I think it’s great. I want to keep doing the same thing we’ve been doing,” Moore said. “With Dave Abbott leading the way, we’re great.”

Abbott said he is sad to see Councilman Monty Snelling — who lost the race for the District 1 Commissioners seat to incumbent Ed Meyer on Tuesday — and Danny Yost off the council.

Yost was surprised by the loss, he said.

“We thought we had a clear message — lower taxes and smaller government,” he said. “When people vote against that, I guess that’s what they want.

“You’ve got people at the top of the [Republican] ticket that did well [in the county], and it didn’t trickle down to us — that I don’t understand.”

Newcomer John Durbin said he thought Obama’s campaign might hurt Republicans on Tuesday.

“The whole thing is change — everybody’s mad at Bush,” he said. “It’s hard to overcome.”