A Columbus firefighter is the newest member of the Bartholomew County Council.
Republican Scott Bonnell, 56, defeated Democrat Hanna Omar Tuesday, allowing him to succeed Chris Ogle as District One county councilman on Jan. 1st. Ogle did not seek re-election this year.
“I will work hard to focus on what matters to you,” Bonnell said in his victory address. “I will use my understanding of this town as a city firefighter and fifth-general farmer to make decisions that represent our district and it’s passions.”
Bonnell won 65 percent of the vote Tuesday, while Omar, who works for J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, received about 35 percent of the vote.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
While Omar, 36, conceded the race early in the evening, she said her campaign was never focused on defeating Bonnell.
“It was about creating a movement,” Omar said. “I think we motivated a lot of young women — we got our agenda across — and are now on the minds of a lot of people. So in my opinion, we have already won.”
Meanwhile, voters in District 4 returned Jorge Morales, 74, to the council for a third consecutive term. Morales, a retired Cummins employee, defeated Lynne Fleming Tuesday by a nearly two-to-one margin.
Morales said he felt humbled by all the different people who called him to voice their support.
Morales said one of his priorities during his third term will be to insure that increases in Local Option Income Tax revenue are spent wisely and efficiently, especially in the area of public safety.
This was Fleming’s second effort to run for Bartholomew County Council in as many years. In 2016, the retired teacher and former president of the Columbus Educator’s Association received 11.5 percent of the vote while running for one of three at-large council seats.
While Fleming said she felt disappointed with her second loss, the retired teacher also said she takes pride in the number of Republicans who quietly supported her candidacy.
Current council president Mark Gorbett and immediate past president Laura DeDomenic were also on Tuesday’s ballot, but were unopposed.
Four members of the county council represent geographical parts of Bartholomew County, while three serve as at-large members.
District 1 includes residents in Hawcreek Township, Clay Township, Clifty Township, Rockcreek Township, northeastern Columbus and northeastern Bartholomew County.
District 4 residents live in Harrison Township, Ohio Township, Sandcreek Township, Wayne Township, Jackson Township, southern Columbus and south and southeastern Bartholomew County.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How You Voted” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Bartholomew County Council
District 1
Scott Bonnell (R): 3,969
Hanna Omar (D): 2,117
District 4
Jorge Morales (R): 4,893
Lynne Fleming (D): 2,673
[sc:pullout-text-end]
