Aren’t hearing enough election news? Well, for all you political junkies out there who never get enough, here are a few words about Kokomo’s recent local elections. Mayor Greg Goodnight won a historic landslide victory over Republican challenger Scott Kern in the mayoral race, garnering just over 70% of the vote.

During his first term, Goodnight earned substantial praise for his role in cutting the size of local government and improving the city’s economic climate. Kokomo was on Forbes’ list of “Fastest-Dying Towns” at the end of 2008, but it is now on Forbes’ list of “Best Cities for Jobs.”  The mayor’s first four years also saw the city’s $5 million deficit turn into a $7 million surplus, as well as the creation of a city bus service. According to the Kokomo Tribune, Goodnight feels the city needs to keep moving forward, stating that his goals are to “clean up the city, make the proper investments, and improve the quality of life for people who’ve invested their lives here.”

Goodnight’s difficult decision to downsize the fire department was controversial, leading Scott Kern first to resign as fire chief and eventually to oppose him in the mayoral race. The department supported Kern in his run, but around 15 firefighters broke away in support of Goodnight. Kern was good-natured about his loss, telling the Tribune, “I wish nothing but the best for the City of Kokomo.”

The city council races were won by Mike Wyant (D) of District 1, Bob Cameron (D) of District 2, Cindy Sanders (R) of District 5, and Tom Miklik (R) of District 6, as well as Kevin Summers (R), Robert Hayes (D), and Mike Kennedy (D) for Councilmen-At-Large. This gives Democrats a 6-3 advantage on the council. However, representatives from both parties have shown solidarity, saying they are looking forward to working together for the good of the city.

Many of the candidates and their supporters even celebrated the end of the election at the same place—the Elks Lodge. Goodnight, a Democrat, praised the reelection of the three Republican councilmen as an example of the council and the voters putting city before party. The precedence of civic over political considerations can be seen in the prevalence of split-ticket voting in this election.

The mutual respect and love of community revealed in this election are refreshing compared to the partisan divide we often see on the national stage. However, there is one major concern. Voter turnout has dropped 6% since the 2007 election. Vote totals dived from over 10,000 four years ago to about 8,000 this year, with the drop virtually equal across party lines.  Only 25% of Kokomo’s registered voters participated in the election, meaning the results were determined by just under 18% of the city’s population. These figures are astonishing. Voting is an important civic responsibility, as well as a right that men and women have given their lives for. If you sat out this election or if you have in the past, please remember that your voice counts.  With the presidential election next year, we cannot afford to let our apathy or disillusionment as voters prevent us from making the best possible decision for the good of our nation.

BY: Andrew Jones