Indiana Republicans react to election results

One week after the general election, Indiana Republicans at the state, local and university level are nursing wounds, celebrating victories and looking toward the future.

LOCAL

Preliminary results show Monroe County Republicans losing nine of the 10 contested local seats. Democrats claimed all three at-large county council seats and both county commissioner seats open this year.

Republicans will fill seats in the House of Representatives in District 60, 46 and 62, but will lose state senate representation in District 40.

Monroe County Republican Party Chairman Steve Hogan said the group must find a more effective way to get its message across. He said he thinks the group fell victim not only to straight-ticket voting but also to its own polarizing reputation.

“I think that the Republicans in Monroe County are perceived as right of center, and I think it’s expected that the Democrats are way left of center,” Hogan said.

Hogan said perception of Republicans in the county is skewed.

“We need to be viewed as a more moderate group,” he said.

He also said winning in the next elections will mean appealing to moderates and getting their message to voters. He’s confident the party will be able to move forward.

“The reality is today’s a new day, and as soon as we get over the first week here, then people are going to come in and say, ‘What can I do?’” Hogan said. “They’ve got an investment, and that’s really important.”

STATE

Republicans took the offices of governor and attorney general on Election Day and achieved a supermajority in the state House of Representatives. A long-standing supermajority in the state Senate means that both houses, as well as the state’s highest office, are filled by Republicans.

“The way we feel is it was a great night for Indiana Republicans, but an even better night for all Hoosiers,” Indiana Republican Party Spokesman Pete Seat said.
Indiana’s national representation shifted.

Republicans lost Sen. Richard Lugar’s U.S. Senate seat to Sen.-elect Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., who beat out State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Lugar has occupied the seat since 1977.

Seat said the loss was disappointing.

“Hoosiers spoke, and they made their choice,” Seat said. “We will field a solid candidate in six years’ time and hopefully take it back. Six years is a long way, though.”

But Seat said the party feels good about gains.

Republicans will send Jackie Walorski to fill Donnelly’s 2nd District seat in the House of Representatives and will fill Gov.-elect Mike Pence’s seat with Luke Messer. They’ll also hold on to the 5th District seat with the election of Susan Brooks.

Indiana doesn’t have a 2013 election. Seat said until the 2014 election cycle, party officials will focus on supporting Republican legislators.

“It’s just about keeping people engaged and involved and laying the groundwork for 2014,” Seat said. “We’re going to have solid members of the House of Representatives that are up for reelection.”

ON CAMPUS

IU for Romney Communications Director and senior Kenzie Carlson said Romney’s loss will require Republicans to shift their focus toward the center on social issues such as gay marriage.

“I think it’ll be a clear shift,” Carlson said.

IU College Republicans spent much of the semester campaigning for state and local candidates. Outgoing chairman and junior Hilary Leighty said they were excited by the reelection of Rep. Todd Young, R-9th District.

“We were a little bummed about Mourdock and bummed about the presidency, but we’re happy that Mitt won Indiana,” Leighty said.

Leighty said IUCR’s didn’t focus on campus because they felt their efforts could be more effective at the local level.

Instead, the group worked phone banks, attended local Republican Party events and helped publicize events on campus. Leighty said she worked the polls on Election Day. She said she was disappointed by results in local races.

“It’s just so hard for them to win in a country like this where it is so overwhelmingly Democrat and where students just go and vote straight ticket,” Leighty said.

Despite what she described as an uphill battle, Leighty said the challenge presented by campaigning for Republicans in Monroe County was a valuable experience.

“Working against all of this, I guess, makes it more challenging and more fun,” Leighty said.