The Star Press from Muncie, Indiana • Page 11

PAGE 11 GOP Still Lacks Timing, Candidate to Beat Sharp THE MUNCIE STAR, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990 By BRIAN FRANCISCO Star Staff Reporter Mike Pence was probably the best-known, best-financed candidate that U.S. Rep. Phil Sharp has faced. But at the polls, Pence could do no better than Don Lynch, who was perhaps Sharp's weakest opponent in nine elections. In 1986, Democrat Sharp of Muncie won nearly 63 percent of the vote in beating Republican Lynch, a preacher from Beech Grove.

On Tuesday, Sharp collected 62 percent to defeat Republican Pence, an attorney from Indianapolis. But where Lynch was underfunded and inexperienced, Pence was proven and polished. After all, Pence had drawn 47 percent of the vote when he challenged Sharp in 1988. Pence this year conducted a high-profile campaign that started in March. He raised and spent more than $500,000, much of it on television advertisements, direct mailings, a bicycle tour and almost daily faxes and phone calls to newspapers in the distict.

Perhaps that was part of his problem people were sick and tired of Pence by Election Day. At the end of the campaign, "People so disliked Mike Pence, from what our polls showed, that they didn't want to see his face on television," Bob McCarson, Sharp's press secre- tary, said Wednesday. Pence's campaign manager disagreed. "The strategy we developed was effective, Sherm Johnson said. "It built the name recognition we wanted.

It takes a long time and a protracted effort to take out an incumbent." But McCarson maintained that a good deal of Pence's recognition was negative. "The biggest mistake he made was deciding to use campaign funds to pay for his house and his wife's car and his credit card," McCarson said. Pence had defended his use of campaign contributions for personal expenses, saying that only incumbents and the wealthy could afford to run for Congress. He discontinued the practice nonetheless. Sharp is at his best in midterm elections, when his GOP opponent can't ride the coattails of a Ronald Reagan or a George Bush.

Of course, Bush's declining popularity had to harm Republican challengers like Pence. Whatever the reason, Pence's support vanished this year. In the 1988 election, he won three of the 11 counties in Indiana's 2nd district, and ran close in four others. But this year, Pence captured only Marion County. Whether Pence takes a third shot at Sharp might depend on the Indiana Legislature, which this winter will draw new congressional districts for the 1990s.

With Democrats in control of the House and the governor's office, it seems likely that the 2nd district map will heavily favor Sharp. "Well certainly get the rest of Delaware County," said Billy Linville, Sharp's campaign manager, "There is a good possibility well get Madison County, and a possibility we'll get Jay and Blackford counties." According to that scenario, the Legislature would engineer a trade between Sharp and U.S. Rep. Dan Burton to strengthen both congressmen. Republican Burton would exchange his northern Democratic counties for Sharp's southern Republicans in Marion and Johnson counties.

Such a switch would put Pence in Burton's 6th district While Pence doesn't have to live in Sharp's district to run there, it seems unlikely that, after two losses, he can find backing for a third run. Democrats went into Tuesday's election with a 7-3 advantage in Indiana's congressional delegation. They added a seat with an unexpected win in the 3rd district, where Democratic challenger Timothy Roemer beat Republican incumbent John Hiler, who had been in Congress since 1981. Democratic incumbents Jill Long in the 4th district and Jim Jontz in the 5th district turned back Republican opponents in what were supposed to be but weren't tight races. Star Photo by John Hill SHARP THANKS DEMOCRATS AT LOCAL HEADQUARTERS Did voters dislike Pence? Only the Thornburg Expects to Finish Justice Center Beginning? Hogsett, Hudnut Ponder Futures By DOUG RICHARDSON Associated Press Writer INDIANAPOLIS Democrat Joseph Hogsett relished his victory, and Republican William H.

Hudnut pondered his political future Wednesday after their expensive and bitterly fought contest for secretary of state. For Hogsett, the morning after the long night of monitoring election returns brought a buoyant rally in the Statehouse rotunda, where about 250 supporters greeted him with the chant, "Joe, Joe, Joe." "The federal court order puts some duties on the project liaison me. That's my understanding, and I'd like to see the project completed." He added: "I wouldn't imagine any necessity for a new court order and I wouldn't imagine any desire to remove me. Who are they going to put in?" A dispute arose early this year between commissioners and the auditor over who should supervise the project That squabble was one of the reasons Federal Judge Sarah Evans Barker took control of the long-delayed project on March 30. In response to a civil rights lawsuit filed by jail inmates, the county had promised Barker to finish the justice center this past May.

The courts-and-jail complex is now more than $2 million over budget and not scheduled for completion until April or May of next year. Thornburg admitted Wednesday that the justice center had an impact on his campaign for reelection. "I think that had some people not been willing to make such an issue of the justice center and whose fault it was, it would have had a lesser impact," Thornburg said. By SETH SLABAUGH Star Staff Reporter Jerry Thornburg is out as Delaware County auditor effective Jan. 1.

But he might continue after that, as a private citizen, to represent county commissioners in the construction of the county justice center. "He does have a lot of knowledge about the project," said a commissioner who asked not to be identified. "My gut feeling is that the federal court will order us to pay him so much to carry on." Democratic commissioners in 1987 named Thornburg to represent them on the project which is owned by the non-profit Mun-Del Building an organization that exists only on paper. Mun-Del was formed by city and county government to finance the project The city and county will pay for the building through annual lease payments to Mun-Del. i "I don't think there is any question that I will continue on as liaison for county commissioners," Thornburg said Wednesday.

"I am named in that federal court order, and it's not a judgment thing on my part It's not a matter for me to decide. Until we get the project built, I am the project liaison. Earlier, a subdued Hudnut 'acknowledged his defeat as his i Hudnut, the mayor of Indianapolis, Delaware County Election Results (98 of 98 precincts) U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R) 19,510 Baron P. Hill (D) 15,727 Secretary of State William H.

Hudnut III (R) 18,602 Joseph H. Hogsett (D) 16.752 State Auditor AnnG.DeVore(R) 16,682 AnnA.Whaley(D) 16,461 State Treasurer Marjorie H. O'Laughlin (R) 17,525 Thomas L. New (D) 16,593 State Courts Clerk Dwayne M. Brown (D) 18.405 Daniel Rock Heiser (R) 14,386 2nd District Congress Philip R.

Sharp (D) 20,006 Mike Pence (R) 8,281 6th District Congress Dan Burton (R) 4,576 James Phillip Fadely (D) 2,522 State Senate District 19 Larry D. Macklin (D) 1.153 George Booth Witwer (R) 810 State Senate District 25 William D. McCarty (D) 3,354 ArtPepelea(R) 3,348 State Senate District 26 Allie V. Craycraft Jr. (D) 16,541 Richard W.

Thornburg (R) 9,125 State House District 32 JeffEspich(R) 1,735 State House District 34 Hurley C.Goodall(D) 10,163 State House District 35 Marc Carmichael (D) 8,480 Cathy R. Schrecongost (R) 6.821 State House District 36 Patrick J. Kiely(R) 2.339 Superior Court 1 Judge Robert Barnet Jr. (D) 21,591 A.J.Hall(R) 12,883 Superior Court 3 Judge Betty Shelton Cole (R) 18,728 Raymond Brassart (D) 16,086 Superior Court 4 Judge Robert Robinson (R) 18,978 Elizabeth Costelk)(D) 14,957 County Prosecutor Richard Reed (D) 20,240 Alan Wilson (R) 14,532 County Clerk Jack Donati (D) 19,979 MikeDague(R) .14,146 County Auditor Kent Riggin (R) 18,891 Jerry Thornburg (D) 15,346 County Recorder RuthDorer(D) 18,150 Regina Thornburg (R) 15,894 County Sheriff Dan Elliott (D) 23,199 Larry Johnson (R) 11,874 County Coroner Jack Stonebraker Jr. (D) 23,097 Jerry Reinke (R) 11,041 County Assessor Gary Carmichael (R) 21,321 JohnKelley(D) 13,259 County Commissioner District 3 Ron Bonham(D) 22,119 Bob Gill (R) 12,652 County Council District 1 Tommy Crawford (D) 4,612 MikeRost(R) 3,195 County Council District 2 John K.

Wright (R) 6,728 Carlton J. Cox (D) 2,727 County Council District 3 Daniel Harty Jr. (D) 6.351 County Council District 4 Ted Bowman (D) 6,791 Retain Judge Miller Yes 12.131 No 8,506 Retain Judge Shields Yes 13,668 No 8,012 Muncie Native Ousts Veteran of Legislature Muncie native Susan Crosby was elected to the Indiana House in Tuesday's election. Crosby, the daughter of Thomas said an anti-Republican vote and the tax issue brought down his candidacy, for which so many in the GOP had high hopes. Unofficial returns showed Hogsett with 773,110 votes, or 52 percent, to Hudnut's 717,085, or 48 percent.

The race was so close that Hogsett wasn't declared the winner by news organizations until shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. I think we fought a good fight Siar Photo by John Hill and came close to a victory," JERRY THORNBURG SUFFERS LOSS ELECTION NIGHT have a tremendous amount of faith the electorate. 6 A Time of War, a Time of Peace9 Auditor Philosophical About Election Loss, Political Future Hudnut said. "As my dad said when we were kids growing up, you do the best and you leave the rest." Hudnut, who recently turned 58, said he planned to take some time off to mull over his political options for the future.

He said he would consider running for a fifth term as mayor next year and didn't rule out seeking the governor's office in 1992. "I think there are options out there, and I'm eager to analyze them as we lie on the beach down in the Caribbean," he said. Hogsett said he was "proud of our effort and momentum" that allowed him to overcome a 30-point deficit in public opinion polls in just a 2-month period. Asked about his future plans, Hogsett said he intended to serve the full 4-year term as secretary of state, an office he first gained by appointment when Evan Bayh left it to become governor in 1989. TTniDPVPr HnacoH tcniiMn't mm.

"I have told Mr. Riggin to come in and make himself at home, to spend as much time as he wants to familiarize himself with the office, because the office is much bigger than the person that occupies it," Thornburg said. "Hopefully, he will acquaint himself with the personnel so he will know who the key people are that I consider indispensable." Thornburg was sued in 1988 by five former deputy auditors he fired after taking office for the third time. The fired employees had worked for Thornburg's predecessor, Democrat Jack Donati, and had supported Thornburg's opponent in the 1986 Democratic primary. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit on grounds the fired workers held policy-making or confidential positions.

Thornburg said Wednesday he did not plan to retire from politics. "Politics and I have had a good relationship over the he said. He added that his analysis of his loss "will have a great deal to do with whatever decision I make." speak, but most importantly there is a time of war and a time of peace." According to several Democratic officeholders who asked not to be identified, Thornburg lost Tuesday's election because he spent too much time at war with Republicans as well as members of his own party over the county justice center and other issues. Thornburg was the only incumbent Democrat in county government to fail to win re election Tuesday. The reason he is a good loser is because he blames himself rather than voters when he loses.

"I've said it before. I have a tremendous amount of faith in the judgment of the electorate," Thornburg said in an interview Wednesday. "I have to assume my vacating this office would indicate that maybe they want to remove me from this office but there may be something down the road." In addition, Thornburg has promised to help his Republican opponent Kent Riggin, take over as auditor. By SETH SLABAUGH Star Staff Reporter Unlike many political candidates, Delaware County Democratic Auditor Jerry Thornburg is a good loser. Maybe that is because he has won more often than other politicians.

Voters elected Thornburg county auditor in 1970, 1974 and 1986. He also spent 2 years as Democratic county chairman in the 1970s. But voters rejected his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Muncie mayor in 1979. They also voted him out of the auditor's office in Tuesday's election. Also, Democratic precinct committemen and vice committemen voted 76-71 to elect Muncie fireman and city Councilman Phil Nichols rather than Thornburg as county chairman in July 1989.

In his concession speech after losing that election, Thornburg referred to the Scriptures in the Old Testament saying: "There is a time to break down and a time to build up, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to keep silent and a time to VH.W. pletely rule out running for an East Central Indiana Votes on Amendments First Black State Cour tS Clerk and Patricia Here are East Central Indiana votes on two propositions for Cuts GOP9s Statehouse Ranks uuilc in ism. ruuucai UDservers already are speculating Democrats might turn to Hogsett to challenge Sen. Dan Coats that year. Hogsett helped fuel some of that speculation in his speech to supporters when he referred to his desire to provide leadership on issues such as education, economic development, drugs and crime State Rejects Amendment on Investing By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS For the second time in 4 years, Hoosiers Tuesday narrowly defeated a proposed constitutional amendment that have allowed public employee pension funds to be invested in stock.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday, the pension Ray, 2300 Wood-mont Drive, lives in Roach-dale in Putnam County. Crosby, a amending the Indiana Constitution. Prop.1 Prop. 2 on Veto Investing Yes No Yes No Blackford 2,253 620 1,343 1,563 Delaware 20,165 4,364 12,457 12,549 By BETH HARRIS Associated Press Writer INDIANAPOLIS State court clerk-elect Dwayne Brown, the first i it i De mo rat, yktf Rep. wi" Thomas, R- I zil, in dis-1 defeated John Brazil Grant 10,410 2,615 6,359 6,740 Henry 8,164 1,777 4,857 5,181 Jay 4,435 1,053 2,371 3,090 Madison 25,988 5,202 14,926 16,233 Randolph 5,227 1,172 2,821 3,623 Wayne 13,455 2,127 7,296 8,248 black elected to statewide office in Indiana, has strengthened Democratic control of the State-house to four offices.

His election Tuesday also reduced the "I feel fantastic," Brown said. "This shows what the governor and I have been saying all along. If one is willing to work hard in life, there is no station that cannot be obtained by anyone in Indiana." Brown, former counsel to Secretary of State Joseph Hogsett, trailed until late in the evening, when precincts in Allen, Lake and Marion counties began reporting. "I expected it to be a close race. We hoped the Afro-American community would come out and they did," he said.

"I think this shows when you have a good, qualified Afro-American on the ticket they will not have voter apathy, and I think they're the major reason for me being elected." In other statewide races, Republicans held on to the offices of treasurer, auditor, attorney general and superintendent of public "kin- change was voted down 477,360 votes, or 51 percent, to 449,979 1 votes, or 49 percent. It was listed as Proposition 2 on Tuesday's ballot tnct 44 in his bid CROSBY for a 13th term in the House. District 44 includes all or parts of Putnam, Gay and Vigo counties. Crosby received 8,649 votes to Thomas's 7,994. She graduated from Burris High School in 1962, attended Purdue University and has lived in Putnam County since 1965.

Crosby, 44, is vice president for training of the National Mental Health Association and is the executive director of Associated Patient Services. Crosby resides in Roachdale with her husband, Joseph Crosby, and would have had to pass enabling legislation setting out how pension funds could be invested. The proposal was supported this year by several groups, representing public employees and teachers, who are interested in pension management Indiana and South Carolina are the only states that prohibit investment of pension funds In stock. percent. It was listed as Proposition 1 on the ballot There currently is no time limit on veto overrides.

In the recent past some have never been called down. The investment amendment was approved by the past two sessions of the General Assembly. Voters narrowly rejected the measure in 1986. Even if the amendment had passed, the General Assembly number of brown Republican-held offices from five to four. Unofficial results Wednesday showed Brown with a 51 percent to 49 percent advantage over incumbent Republican Daniel Heiser.

With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Brown had 702,536 votes to Heiser's 676,631. However, voters strongly approved a second amendment squiring the General Assembly to act on a governor's veto before adjourning the year after the veto. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, the veto amendment was approved with 742,655 votes, or 80 Percent, to 184,771 votes, or 20 two sons..