TERRE HAUTE —
For the better part of two decades, the Republican Party in Vigo County rarely mounted more than a feeble challenge to the entrenched Democratic Party establishment.
A few individual Republicans — Jim Adams, Mike Eldred, Charley Fouty, among others — managed to win re-election bids, but the big jobs remained in Democratic hands. The GOP could make no inroads to capturing the coveted posts of mayor, prosecutor or sheriff.
Then things began to change. First came Terry Modesitt’s election as prosecutor in 2006, followed the next year by Duke Bennett’s stunning, razor-thin victory for mayor of Terre Haute over an incumbent Democrat.
The Republicans were in business. Two of the three top political posts in Vigo County were in GOP hands.
Were we witnessing the beginnings of a historic shift in the political fortunes of the major parties?
Only time and subsequent elections will answer that question. But the 2010 election provides the first clues. And Republicans are understandably pleased with Tuesday’s results. Modesitt not only won re-election as prosecutor, he won handily.
While Modesitt may be the happiest Republican in Vigo County today, Duke Bennett cannot be far behind. With the municipal election primary filing period just a couple of months away, the mayor has to like what he sees in the local electorate.
For Modesitt and Bennett, one fact of political life is more important than all others. The Vigo County Democratic Party is a dysfunctional mess and shows little sign of righting itself. In fact, it’s amazing it still wins as many races as it does.
The Vigo County Democratic establishment was virtually unbeatable through the years. Republicans couldn’t find many candidates to run against it, and when the GOP did find outstanding individuals to put on the ballot, they would still lose, sometimes to marginally competent Democrats.
It appears, however, that the local electorate finally has awakened to find alternatives they like on the Republican ballot. Good for them.
Bennett, who is expected to seek re-election as mayor next year, isn’t likely to have an easy road to a second term. Even in its current state of confusion, the Democratic Party could offer up a worthy challenger.
The right Democrat might be able to unite the party just enough to deny Bennett. Of course, the same was true for this year’s prosecutor’s race. Yet the Democrats failed. The longer this goes on, the stronger the local Republican Party will become.
For the people of Vigo County, this resurgence in a viable two-party system is a very good thing. Competition breeds accountability, which fosters better, more responsive government.
With Modesitt’s re-election, it’s clear the Democratic Party has indeed lost some its long-held grip on local government. Unless Democrats get their act together, that trend seems destined to continue.
Jones can be reached at (812) 231-4336, or by e-mail at max.jones@tribstar.com.
Editor's Note
Related Photos
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Tribune-Star editor Max Jones. File photo
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November 3, 2010
MAX JONES: Vigo GOP shows its gains are for real
- Editor's Note
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MAX JONES: Local seminar to shed light on access
Transparency in public information is an important principle for the proper functioning of government at all levels. Vigilance is key in ensuring that public records and meetings remain open and accessible to citizens of our communities.
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MAX JONES: Farewell to Stephanie, for a while
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MAX JONES: Friends ready for next big step at Pyle historic site
The campaign to preserve the legacy of World War II journalist Ernie Pyle in his hometown of Dana passed a milestone last week. Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission voted to end the state’s involvement in the Pyle historic site and turn it over to the Friends of Ernie Pyle organization.
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MAX JONES: Vigo GOP shows its gains are for real
For the better part of two decades, the Republican Party in Vigo County rarely mounted more than a feeble challenge to the entrenched Democratic Party establishment.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Week ahead bringing changes to your newspaper
Your Tribune-Star is undergoing some changes this week, and today’s edition reveals a few of those.
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Editor's Note: A holiday tribute to "Hoosier," and all veterans
My late father, Joseph L. Jones, was a veteran of World War II, a 4th Division Marine whose service sent him to the South Pacific and into combat on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
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TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: A day to give thanks and help
Help only becomes a reality when it is given. Today, it’s something needed by many throughout this community and state.
- EDITOR'S NOTE: Appearance of corruption a strong incentive for reform Today, and for the following two days, Tribune-Star readers are being treated to a remarkable series of editorials and essays produced by the Indianapolis Star.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Spelling Bee a great Tribune-Star tradition
Of all the great community-based events this newspaper sponsors and helps sponsor throughout the year, the Tribune-Star Wabash Valley Spelling Bee is one of the most important. It’s extra special because it gives the best and brightest young students in our nine-county area the opportunity to compete for big prizes in a popular and widely recognized annual academic competition.
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Max Jones: Community takes center stage again for fall campaign
Even the most hardened cynic has to admit that Terre Haute is living a charmed life this election year. For the fifth time since spring, the community will be visited by a major political figure in the 2008 presidential sweepstakes. The event will occur later today when Democratic Party nominee Sen. Barack Obama makes a 12:30 p.m. campaign stop at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds.
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MAX JONES: Voters will be big winners in fall gubernatorial debates
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Tribune-Star editorial: A day to be grateful for community kindness
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Today offers at least a moment for the community to reflect on its survival of the flood of 2008. - Editor's Note: Covering the flood shifts to recovery As natural disasters go, flooding can have a long and nasty legacy. Even when the waters have receded and raging creeks and rivers are passive once again within their banks, hidden dangers — and damages — persist.
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Tribune-Star editorial: And another thing...
And now for something completely different … good news!!
That’s right, amid the misery of local flooding aftermath, an announcement from Tokyo early Thursday allows us to take a brief break and ponder better days ahead for our community and its economy. -
Tribune-Star editorial: Rain down some kindness
Since Saturday, when flash flooding became more than the usual National Weather Service warning for much of Indiana and Illinois, we’ve all heard and seen inspirational stories.
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EDITOR'S NOTE Sounding the bell for those who hear different drummer
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Max Jones: Evolving with an industry — and with our readers
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- Editor's Note: Tribune-Star staffers compete well for state honors Hoosier State Press Association awards for 2007 were announced last weekend at a banquet in Indianapolis, and I am proud to report that the Tribune-Star once again did well. We brought home seven awards in all, three of them for first place.
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Editor's Note: ’07 election letters reflected intensity
Our readers love to write letters, and election politics is one of their favorite subjects. The recent epic mayoral tussle produced a virtual flood of submissions. Emotions ran high in many of the narratives.
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Editor's Note: As election nears, the spotlight gets hotter
The degree of interest in any election among potential voters — who also happen to be all newspapers’ avid and loyal readers — is always most intense the last two weeks of a political campaign. That’s why we target the majority of our pre-election coverage to the final 10 days or so before voters go to the polls.
- Debate format allowed candidates to shine The Tribune-Star has been teaming up with the League of Women Voters of Vigo County and other local organizations to sponsor candidate forums and debates for years. It’s a worthwhile service to provide newspaper readers, who research shows also happen to be among the most likely voters any time there is an election.
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After summer’s lull, let the campaign begin
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