Republican Tom Bennington won the district 2 and Democrat JohnBrooke won the district 1 Delaware Country commissioner seats.
Bennington and Democrat Tracy Barton debated issues throughoutthe contest, including the issue of banning smoking in publicareas.
Closely watching the results roll in Tuesday evening at theRepublican celebration at Slater Hawkins Bar and Grill, Benningtonsaid he would vote to support a smoking ban in certain institutionswhere patrons under 18 or 21 can visit.
"In a bar, smoking's OK," he said. "If they're under 21, nosmoking."
At his office on election night, Brooke, who defeated RepublicanBob Wilson, said he supports a smoking ban in places that aretrafficked by families and people under 21.
"I use 21 because that's the age for being in the taverns andthat seems to be a good break-off point, a good compromise," hesaid. "Under 21 is primarily restaurants and other sorts offacilities... where children are."
Jessica Deboy, a Ball State junior and member of the CollegeRepublicans, attended the Republican celebration and said shesupports a smoking ban.
"I think it's everyone's right to breathe clean air," she said.She acknowledged that smokers also retain the right to smoke incertain places, but she said she is concerned for children andthose with medical problems who could be exposed to smoking inrestaurants.
Robert Segraves, a senior history and political science major,celebrated with the Democrats at Democrat Headquarters.
"I would say that a public place such as a hospital would begood place to prohibit smoking, but not a bar or a tavern,"Segraves said.
Brooke and Bennington will unseat the Democratic incumbentcommissioners Jack Stonebraker and James St. Myer, who both failedto win the Democratic primary nominations.
Bennington said his priority as a commissioner, after resolvingissues such as bridge and road construction and repairs upon whichhe believes the county has fallen behind, will be to restore theintegrity and honesty to the government that he said have been lostsince the Democrats have been in office.
"We've got to get the trust of the citizens back," he said.
Local business and jobs were other issues that were heavilydebated in the commissioners race. Brooke wants to incorporate thecollege into the community.
"I plan on having closer cooperation with Ball State and IvyTech. The county commissioners in the past have not been real goodabout working with Ball State," he said.
Brooke said that he wants to use the resources at Ball State,such as the entrepreneurship program, to help the community.
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