Nation pulls 654 votes to beat Republican opponent

By Peter Ciancone/Tribune-Star

November 5, 2003

Todd Nation defeated Mark May in Terre Haute's City Council District 4 race, part of an eight-seat sweep Tuesday by Democrats over their Republican and Libertarian challengers.

Nation polled 654 votes to his Republican opponent's 270.

"I'm humbled and gratified that the voters of the fourth district have elected me to the council," Nation said. "I'm going to work hard."

He said he hoped to be part of the dialogue on many city issues, starting with those of interest to voters in the historical districts of town, and especially with regard to the Terre Haute House, a subject over which he said the city needed a "serious dialogue" as soon as possible.

"I remain wary of the rhetoric that I heard [during the election campaign from the mayoral candidates,]" Nation said.

Mayor-elect Kevin Burke has said the downtown Terre Haute landmark represented "a monument to our inability to move forward."

Nation has been a leading advocate of the hotel's restoration.

Nation said he hoped to focus attention on all the districts with older homes, and on the development of commercial sections of the city.

"We need to better coordinate all those things," he said.

May said the election result came because of one thing.

"Todd outworked me. There's no saying it any other way," May said. "He put a lot into it. I just wish him the very best."

May said the primary and the general election demonstrated that people were looking to make changes. "Hopefully, the Republican Party can be part of that change," he said.

Nation defeated incumbent Democrat Mick Love in the primary, while May ran unopposed.

District 4 covers the east-central part of Terre Haute, including downtown Terre Haute, Farrington's Grove and Indiana State University.