For the first time in 20 years, Muncie has a Democratic mayor, Dennis Tyler.
After so many years of Republican administration, many are left asking "Why?"
Sharon McShurley was the incumbent, a position in politics which can often help in the heat of election season.
Incumbents can offer favors and come into the election with their experience fresh in the voters' minds.
And it's not like McShurley had an awful term as mayor.
Some claim she sealed her fate in the first year of her term by taking budget cuts too far, but she has improved over the past few years. She brought Brevini and Progressive Rail to the city and worked hard to cut down spending. She caught flak for being stubborn, but her stubbornness can be attributed to her drive to change the city.
It's not as if she didn't try hard. On Oct. 28, she stood in the Progressive Rail plant claiming the company would benefit 180 families in Muncie.
Efforts by the Republican Party of Delaware County didn't stop until they conceded defeat. At one of the precincts Tuesday, a poll worker was wearing a Muncie Fire Department shirt. The Republican Party complained the poll worker was trying to sway votes because the fire department supported Tyler.
So why did the Democratic candidates sweep every contested seat? Why did Tyler blow by McShurley in votes?
In our eyes, it comes down to how Tyler ran his campaign.
The numbers are obvious. He outraised McShurley in campaign funds and had far more volunteers. With more funds and volunteers, a candidate can reach more people with their campaign.
But it's the organization and old fashioned politics Tyler used that won it for him. He focused on the change he could bring. Even his campaign slogan, "Imagine the possibilities when we work together," hinted at what differentiated him from the incumbent.
So why does this matter to us?
It's understandable that the student vote isn't one that holds much clout in municipal races. There aren't many policies the new administration could create that would directly affect campus. Our funding comes from the state, so there's nothing the city could do about that.
But in just one year, it will be that student vote which presidential candidates will be fighting over. Presidential campaigns are already under way and the first primary is only about two months away.
The votes cast in this race are going to influence how strong presidential candidates fight for our votes. The municipal election is just the appetizer for politics.
And it's candidates' hope that we will order their seven-course meal next year.
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