Terre Haute mayor-elect Brandon Sakbun, right, is congratulated by Vigo County Democratic Party Chair Joe Etling after Sakbun saw the final vote totals on Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Terre Haute.
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza
Democratic mayoral challenger Brandon Sakbun defied the odds in his first political race to win Tuesday’s municipal election.
Sakbun received 5,666 votes, or 59.82% of the vote, while incumbent Republican Mayor Duke Bennett, who will have served 16 years as mayor, ended up with 3,806 votes, or 40.18%.
Michelle Edwards will remain City Clerk. She defeated Republican challenger Pete Frederick 5,531 to 3,746, or 59.62% to 40.38%. Sakbun identifies as Black and Asian and is 27 years old. He served two deployments with the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and is still a member of the Indiana National Guard.
The mood was ebullient at the Hilton Garden Inn, where Democrats gathered to celebrate their victory, a complete sweep of contested races.
“I might get a little emotional here,” Sakbun said in his victory speech, to wild applause. He added emphatically, “Terre Haute can be better. Terre Haute can do better and, ladies and gentlemen, we will do better!”
Sakbun became notorious for his tireless campaigning — it was nearly impossible to attend a public event where he didn’t show up. He said his energy could serve as an inspiration for others.
“It was long hours each day, a lot of hard work,” he said. “For all the students out there, the retirees, the folks in the middle of their career and the kids — chase your dream. It doesn’t matter what the numbers say, look to yourself and say, ‘If I can do this, then go out and do it — and get the job done.’”
“Oh my goodness — he was everywhere,” said George Azar, who was reelected City Councilman at-large. “I don’t think there was a place you could go where you didn’t see Brandon. It was a well-deserved win.” “That’s history for real,” said Kandace Hinton, whose District 1 City Council win will make her the first Black woman elected to the council. “A young man who has a vision and a heart for this city, who will advance us, no doubt.”
She added, “I couldn’t keep up with Brandon — I was just in one district, he was all over the city.”
Vigo County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Etling, holding a broom to symbolize his party’s sweep, was thrilled with the evening’s results.
“I’m most excited for the citizens of Terre Haute,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to grow as a community.”
Etling added, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t also commend Mayor Duke Bennett for his great years of public service. He had been very dedicated. I’ve known him for most of my life and know how much he believes in Terre Haute.”
But Etling had reservoirs of praise for Sakbun. “I’ve had the opportunity to spend probably as much time with Brandon Sakbun as with any candidate,” he said. “In 27 years as the chair of the Vigo County Democratic Party, I can’t think of another candidate more hard-working or dedicated to the cause of getting in front of voters and talking about the issues.”
Etling continued, “Repeatedly, he addressed substantive issues and it was very impressive. That’s what resonated with me when he talked to people — it wasn’t just fluff, he was substantively talking with engineers, with physicians, with other professionals and he was more than prepared to respond to them in an informative way.”
The Fraternal Order of Police, where Bennett watched returns come in, was nearly empty by 9 p.m.
Reached by phone, Bennett said he was feeling good.
“We had a good run,” he said. “We’ll be all right.”
Bennett added, “I’m extremely proud of the last 16 years and the support I’ve received from the community.”
Bennett said he had never seen a candidate campaign with the energy Sakbun demonstrated.
“I would’ve loved it if I had had the time to do that, but the job prevented that,” he said. “Sometimes things work out well for a candidate, but that surely made a difference, no question.”
Bennett congratulated Sakbun when he called him to concede. The two will speak further in the coming days about the transition process.
“We had a very good conversation,” Sakbun said. “I think the world of (the mayor), I do, and it was time for a change, and we’re going to work together to continue to improve the city of Terre Haute.”
Sakbun said he’ll be releasing his policy points for the next 100 days soon.
“Starting January 1, you will see some big changes in City Hall,” he said.
In addition to holding onto all nine City Council seats and the clerk’s office, Democrat Kenneth McVey ran unopposed for City Court judge.
Democrats benefited from a strong showing among straight-ticket voters, tallying 2,204 such ballots to Republicans’ 1,235, a split of about 64% to 36%.
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