Bosma concedes that Democrats take control of Indiana House

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana House Democrats knocked off at least four Republican incumbents and regained control of the chamber, something both parties considered their top priority this election.\nRepublicans went into the election with a 52-48 majority, but House Speaker Brian Bosma conceded late Tuesday that his party will now trail by at least 51-49. Democrats had narrowly controlled the chamber for eight consecutive years before Republicans gained the gavel in 2004.\nBosma said he called House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer and congratulated his caucus on the victory. The longtime veteran and fiery Bauer, D-South Bend, had served as speaker in 2003 and 2004 and likely will be chosen for the top spot during a private meeting of his members Wednesday.\nRepublican Secretary of State Todd Rokita, seeking his second term, defeated Democrat Joe Pearson in unofficial results tabulated by The Associated Press.\nDemocrats controlled the House for eight consecutive years before Republicans gained a majority in 2004. Republicans have ruled the Senate since late 1978, and that was expected to continue Tuesday because of their wide 33-17 advantage.\nDemocrats desperately wanted the House back, especially since that chamber, the Senate and the governor's office all have been ruled by Republicans the past two years.\nWith the GOP in total control, Gov. Mitch Daniels was able to get much of his agenda through the General Assembly, including statewide observance of daylight-saving time and the lease of the Indiana Toll Road to private foreign companies. All but a handful of House Democrats opposed daylight-saving time, and not one voted for the toll road lease.\nDemocrats used both issues, and voter dissatisfaction against Daniels' rapid changes, as major campaign issues in some races.\nIn a rematch from two years ago, former Democratic Rep. Ron Herrell of Kokomo defeated Rep. John Smith of Kokomo in District 30. Former Democratic state Sen. Nancy Dembowski beat GOP Rep. Steve Heim in northwestern Indiana's District 17. In southeastern Indiana's District 69, freshman Republican Rep. Billy Bright conceded defeat to former state Rep. David Cheatham.\nWith 46 percent of precincts reporting in southwestern Indiana's District 64, Democrat Kreg Battles was leading Republican Rep. Troy Woodruff, both of Vincennes. Democrats blasted Woodruff for providing the 51st vote needed to nudge daylight-saving time to passage last year after promising constituents he would never vote for the bill.\nDemocratic Rep. Ed Mahern of Indianapolis was trailing Republican Jon Elrod, but Rep. David Orentlicher, D-Indianapolis, was leading Republican Kathryn Densborn in another race considered key to the overall outcome.\nDaniels said that it would take cooperation to get things done no matter which party won the House.\n"We've got work to do whatever is there," Daniels said soon after most voting sites closed Tuesday evening.\nHouse Minority Leader Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said if his party took control, it could again work with Senate Republicans in drafting a new two-year budget. House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said his colleagues could provide leadership on issues regardless of the outcome.