MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Democrats gathered at the Parkside Restaurant on Tuesday night with a great deal of anticipation. It was a far cry from two years ago when Democrats swept out Republicans in a movement for change.
2010 general election
Candidate Race Results
40,304 registered voters 20,472 ballots cast - 50.79% turnout· Absentee
Issues/Levies/Options Results
· Absentee
The public’s desire for change was still going strong but it was going to be uncertain who would benefit from the mood of the public until the votes were cast and counted.
The big races locally pitted Democrat Rebecca Jordan against Republican Roger Reed for the Knox County Commissioner seat now held by Bob Wise. Local attorney John Ryerson was challenging Margaret Ann Ruhl for state representative and Republican Bob Gibbs was looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Zack Space for U.S. Representative. The race for governor also held special interest.
Early returns from absentee and early voting were not very encouraging for the Democrats.
Final unofficial results for the race for county commissioner had Reed defeating Jordan by a vote of 12,559 to 6,991.
“I thought it was important to bring a Democrat to the commissioner’s office rather than it being all Republicans,” Jordan said. “We worked hard and I got out a lot and had a lot of great help. I wouldn’t do anything different and the outcome is what it is.”
