Democrats win control of City Council in Pence’s hometown for first time in 36 years

For the first time in more than three decades, Democrats will control the City Council in Columbus, Ind., hometown of Vice President Pence.

The Associated Press, citing data from the local county clerk, reported that Tuesday’s elections in the town mark the first time Democrats have won the majority in the Columbus City Council since 1983.

Unofficial results show that four of the council’s seven seats were claimed by Democrats in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Two Democrats were reelected and two Democratic challengers ousted Republican incumbents, according to The Republic.

Republican Dascal Bunch, who has held the seat in District 1 for two terms, is expected to ask for a recount after Democrat Jerone Wood won the race by one vote, 260-259, the local newspaper reported.

Bob Hyatt, who chairs the Bartholomew County Democratic Party, told The Republic on Wednesday that he thinks “it’s the voter’s will that these people got elected, and a fair amount of hard work.”

He also said the party saw some success by having “young Democrats step up and say they wanted to make a difference, and we got them to run for office.” 

Bartholomew County Republican Party Chairwoman Barb Hackman told the newspaper that the Democratic Party’s wins in the town were “really a wake-up call for us Republicans that we can’t be complacent.”

“We’ve ruled for 30 years, but now we’ve got to work harder,” she added.