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Mayoral elections in Evansville, Indiana

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Elections are held in Evansville, Indiana to elect the city's mayor. Currently, such elections are regularly scheduled to be held every four years, in the year immediately preceding that of United States presidential elections.

Elections before 1934

[edit]

1934

[edit]
1934 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1929
1937 →
 
Candidate William H. Dress Alvan V. Burch
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 22,367 18,720
Percentage 54.44% 45.56%

Mayor before election

Frank W. Griese

Elected mayor

William H. Dress
Democratic

The 1934 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election saw the election of Democratic nominee William H. Dress.

1934 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William H. Dress 22,367 54.44
Republican Alvan V. Burch 18,720 45.56
Total votes 41,087 100

1937

[edit]
1937 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1934
1942 →
 
Candidate William H. Dress Alvan V. Burch
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 24,387 15,680
Percentage 70.87% 39.13%

Mayor before election

William H. Dress
Democratic

Elected mayor

William H. Dress
Democratic

The 1937 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent William H. Dress.

1937 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William H. Dress (incumbent) 24,387 70.87
Republican Alvan V. Burch 15,680 39.13
Total votes 40,067 100

1942

[edit]
1942 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1937
1947 →
 
Candidate Mason Reichert William H. Dress
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 17,088 15,743
Percentage 52.05% 47.95%

Mayor before election

William H. Dress
Democratic

Elected mayor

Mason Reichert
Republican

The 1942 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election saw the election of Republican nominee Mason Reichert, unseating Democratic incumbent William H. Dress.

1942 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Manson Reichert 17,088 52.05
Democratic William H. Dress (incumbent) 15,743 47.95
Total votes 32,831 100

1947

[edit]
1947 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1942 November 4, 1947 1951 →
 
Candidate William H. Dress Manson Reichert
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 22,176 17,629
Percentage 55.71 % 44.29%

Mayor before election

Manson Reichert
Republican

Elected mayor

William H. Dress
Democratic

The 1947 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 4, 1947, and saw the election of Democrat William H. Dress returned to office for a third nonconsecutive term, unseating Republican incumbent Manson Reichert. Dress was only the second individual in the city's history to win three mayoral elections.[3]

Due to a change in state election law after the previous election, the election was moved to 1947. As a result, the preceding term of incumbent Reichert was extended to 1948, giving him an unprecedented five-year term as mayor before this election.[4]

1947 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William H. Dress 22,176 55.71
Republican Manson Reichert (incumbent) 17,629 44.29
Total votes 39,805 100

1951

[edit]
1951 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1947 November 6, 1951 1955 →
 
Candidate Henry O. Roberts Edwin F. Diekman
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 24,208 17,063
Percentage 58.66% 41.34%

Mayor before election

Edwin F. Diekmann
Democratic

Elected mayor

Henry O. Roberts
Republican

The 1951 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 6, 1951, and saw the election of Republican nominee Henry O. Roberts. Roberts defeated Democratic incumbent Edwin F. Diekmann, who had been appointed as mayor following the November 1949 death in office of William H. Dress.[3]

1951 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry O. Roberts 24,208 58.66
Democratic Edwin F. Diekmann (incumbent) 17,063 41.34
Total votes 41,271 100

1955

[edit]
1955 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1951 November 8, 1955 1959 →
 
Candidate Vance Hartke Curtis E. Huber
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 25,862 21,699
Percentage 54.12% 45.40%

Mayor before election

Henry O. Roberts
Republican

Elected mayor

Vance Hartke
Democratic

The 1955 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 8, 1955, and saw the election of Democratic nominee Vance Hartke.

Hartke, the chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party organization, had faced city recreation director James R. Newcom in the Democratic primary election. The primary was competitive.[6]

In early June, during the general election, thirteen supporters of Hartke's vanquished primary election opponent, Newcom, filed a complaint under Indiana's Corrupt Practices Act of 1945. The complaint related to $8,000 that had been raised by a Jefferson–Jackson Day dinner, which these supporters of Newcom alleged was used to assist Hartke's candidacy, but should instead have been used to assist the Democratic Party in general.[7][8] The lawsuit alleged that Hartke's campaign manager, Sheriff Frank McDonald, had therefore misused the proceeds from the dinner banquet.[9] The lawsuit was dismissed in late August, after the plaintiffs refused to post a $500 cost bond.[9]

Republican nominee Curtis Huber was a real estate man, who found himself in conflict with the local county Republican Party organization.[10]

The general election campaign between Hartke and Huber was considered to be one of the harshest up to that point in the city's history.[11]

In the coinciding city council election, Hartke's Democratic Party won seven seats, capturing all but two seats (with those two seats coming from wards that were considered to be overwhelmingly Republican-leaning ).[10][11] The Democratic nominee also won the city clerk race and a race for city judge.[10] At the time, Vanderburgh County (which had voted for the national winner of every previous United States presidential election going back to 1892) was regarded as a political barometer, thus, attention was paid to the Democratic Party landslide in Evansville, the county seat of Vanderburgh County.[10] Ultimately, however, Vanderburgh County, and the nation, would end up voting for the Republican ticket in the subsequent 1956 United States presidential election.[citation needed]

1955 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic R. Vance Hartke 25,862 54.12
Republican Curtis E. Huber 21,699 45.40
Prohibition William C. Christmas 230 0.48
Total votes 47,791 100

1959

[edit]
1959 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election
← 1955 November 3, 1959 1963 →
 
Candidate Frank F. McDonald Donald B. Ingle
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 25,445 21,434
Percentage 54.03% 45.51%

Mayor before election

Vance Hartke
Democratic

Elected mayor

Frank F. McDonald
Democratic

The 1959 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 3, 1959, and saw the election of Democratic nominee Frank F. McDonald.

1959 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank F. McDonald 25,445 54.03
Republican Donald B. Ingle 21,434 45.51
Prohibition J. C. Kelly 214 0.45
Total votes 47,093 100

1963

[edit]
1963 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1959 November 5, 1963 1967 →
 
Nominee Frank F. McDonald Henry O. Roberts
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 27,333 22,564
Percentage 54.78% 45.22%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald
Democratic

Elected mayor

Frank F. McDonald
Democratic

The 1963 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 5, 1963, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Frank F. McDonald. He defeated former mayor Henry O. Roberts, the Republican nominee.[12]

1963 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank F. McDonald (incumbent) 27,333 54.78
Republican H. O. Roberts 22,564 45.22
Total votes 49,897 100

1967

[edit]
1967 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1959 November 7, 1967 1967 →
 
Nominee Frank F. McDonald Henry O. Roberts
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 30,133 22,882
Percentage 56.84 % 43.16%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald
Democratic

Elected mayor

Frank F. McDonald
Democratic

The 1967 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 7, 1967, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Frank F. McDonald to a third consecutive term. This made him the first mayor to win a third consecutive term in the city's history.[14]

Primaries

[edit]

In the May 2 primary elections, incumbent mayor Frank F. McDonald ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, and John Lavens ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[14]

General election

[edit]
1963 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank F. McDonald (incumbent) 30,133 56.84
Republican H. O. Roberts 22,882 43.16
Total votes 53,015 100

1971

[edit]
1971 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1967 November 2, 1971 1975 →
Turnout70%
 
Nominee Russell G. Lloyd Sr. William L. Brooks
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 33,063 23,905
Percentage 58.04% 47.81%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald
Democratic

Elected mayor

Russell G. Lloyd Sr.
Republican

The 1971 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 2, 1971, and saw the election of Republican nominee Russell G. Lloyd Sr.

Incumbent Democrat Frank F. McDonald did not seek reelection to what would have been a fifth term.[15]

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 4.[15]

Democratic primary

[edit]

City Council president William L. Brooks defeated William Arendell, a former coroner, in the Democratic Party primary. Brooks had boasted the endorsement of outgoing mayor Frank F. McDonald, and was considered the front-runner in the primary.[15]

Republican primary

[edit]

Russell G. Lloyd Sr. won the Republican Party primary against a single opponent. Lloyd entered the primary with the support of the local Republican organization.[15]

General election

[edit]

At 70%, turnout was considered to be high.[16]

Lloyd's victory, with a 9,158, was considered impressive and surpisingly large.[16] His victory came amid a bad municipal election year for Indiana's Republican Party. Along with the Indianapolis mayoral election, Evansville's election marked one of only two Republican mayoral victories in the state's larger municipal areas with Democrats winning the elections in East Chicago, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, South Bend, and Terre Haute.[16]

In the coinciding city council election, Republicans won 8 seats, and Democrats won one.[17]

The strong Democratic performance came despite outgoing mayor McDonald having been seen, prior to the election, as having established one of the strong city and county Democratic organizations in the state.[15]

1971 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[18][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell G. Lloyd Sr. 33,063 58.04
Democratic William L. Brooks 23,905 47.81
Turnout 56,968 70

1975

[edit]
1975 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1971 November 4, 1975 1979 →
 
Nominee Russell G. Lloyd Sr. J. Jeff Hays
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 27,350 19,890
Percentage 57.90% 42.10%

Mayor before election

Russell G. Lloyd Sr.
Republican

Elected mayor

Russell G. Lloyd Sr.
Republican

The 1975 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 4, 1975, and saw the reelection of Republican incumbent Russell G. Lloyd Sr.

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 6.

Democratic primary

[edit]

The Democratic primary was won the Indiana state representative J. Jeff Hays. The Democratic primary was largely predicted to be a toss-up between Hays and Jerry Linzy, the director of development for the University of Evansville.[19] The third candidate was city sewage department employee Jack Roll.[19]

Republican primary

[edit]

The Republican primary was won by incumbent mayor Russell G. Lloyd Sr., who was unopposed in the primary.[19]

General election

[edit]

Lloyd became the first Republican mayor to win reelection in Evansville since 1895.[20]

1975 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell G. Lloyd Sr. (incumbent) 27,350 57.90
Democratic J. Jeff Hays 19,890 42.10
Total votes 47,240 100

1979

[edit]
1979 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1975 November 6, 1979 1983 →
 
Nominee Michael Vandeveer Randall T. Shepard
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 22,739 19,808
Percentage 53.44% 46.56%

Mayor before election

Russell G. Lloyd Sr.
Republican

Elected mayor

Michael Vandeveer
Democratic

The 1979 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 6, 1979, and saw the election of Democratic nominee Michael Vandeveer.

Incumbent Republican mayor Russell G. Lloyd Sr., frustrated by tax and spending controls imposed by the state, did not seek reelection to a third term.[21]

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 8.[22]

Democratic primary

[edit]

City councilman Michael Vandeveer won the Democratic primary.[18][22] Vandeveer defeated Vanderburgh County assessor James Angermeier.[22] Vandeveer was considered the front-runner in the primary.[22]

Republican primary

[edit]

Randall T. Shepard, an administrative assistant to incumbent Republican mayor Russell G. Lloyd Sr., won the Republican primary.[18][22] Lloyd defeated Bradley Ten Barge, a musician and retail worker.[22] Shephard was the frontrunner for the nomination, and had been endorsed by the local Republican Party organization's slating committee.[22]

General election

[edit]

Ahead of election day, race was considered one of the most competitive mayoral races in the state of Indiana that year.[21]

1979 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael D. Vandeveer 22,739 53.44
Republican Randall T. Shepard 19,808 46.56
Total votes 42,547 100

1983

[edit]
1983 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1979 November 8, 1983 1987 →
 
Nominee Michael Vandeveer David A. Koelher
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 28,016 12,570
Percentage 69.03% 30.9%

Mayor before election

Michael Vandeveer
Democratic

Elected mayor

Michael Vandeveer
Democratic

The 1983 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 8, 1983, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Michael Vandeveer.

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 3.[23]

Democratic primary

[edit]

Incumbent mayor Michael Vandeveer faced token opposition from two challengers. While neither opponent were seen as posing a strong challenge to Vandeveer, more serious of the two candidates running against Vandeveer in the primary was Berta Hammerseen, a former university professor and former member of the Evansville Housing Authority. Hammerstein criticized Vandeveer for the financial troubles of the city, and for shortcomings in regards to economic development in the city. Mark R. Chellgren of the Associated Press wrote shortly before the day of the primary, "the tone of her attacks has put off some party regulars, who give her little chance to unseat Vandeveer". Vandeveer's other challenger was Larry Williams, who did not do much in regards to campaigning.[23]

Republican primary

[edit]

Four-term city councilman and high school teacher David Koehler won the Republican nomination.[23][24] Running against him in the Republican primary was and former two-term Vanderburgh County sheriff James DeGroote.[23]

Koehler had the backing of the local Republican Party organization, which provided his campaign with organizational and financial support.[23] DeGroote dedicated himself as a full-time campaigner.[23]

Both candidates argued that economic development should be the first priority of Evansville's mayor. The campaign between them was not focused on issues, but rather on personality. Also effecting the race was debate over the influence of the county Republican chairman, Bob Whitehouse.[23]

Koehler worked to soften his public image. Despite being seen as a good manager, Mark R. Chellgren of the Associated Press wrote that he was seen as having, "little regard for the people side of government".[23]

DeGroote ran, in large part, on both his record as sheriff, and on presenting himself with a friendly image.[23]

General election

[edit]

Early into the campaign, the Republican Party had hopes that its nominee might be able to unseat Vendeveer. However, Koehler's candidacy failed to create momentum.[25]

Koehler alleged that Vandeveer was guilty of "fiscal mismanagement", often pointing to a financial crisis that the city government had faced in 1981. Koehler also accused Vandeveer of subjecting residents to too many new fees, while also alleging that Vandeveer did not make the best use of the revenues generated by these fees. Koehler also attacked Vandeveer for his shortcomings in attracting economic development.[25]

Vandeveer insisted that the city's economic issues were largely attributable to the ongoing early 1980s recession, and predicted that the city would see improved economic fortunes by the end of the decade.[25]

Both nominees were in agreement that the state of Indiana should pass legislation to establish a new local option income tax, as well as provide additional new methods for city's such as Evansville to generate more revenue.[25]

1983 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael D. Vandeveer (incumbent) 28,016 69.03
Republican David A. Koelher 12,570 30.97
Total votes 40,586 100

1987

[edit]
1987 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1983 November 3, 1987 1991 →
 
Nominee Frank F. McDonald II Al Folz
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 21,974 12,567
Percentage 63.62% 36.38%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald II (interim)
Democratic

Elected mayor

Frank F. McDonald II
Democratic

The 1987 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 3, 1987, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Frank F. McDonald II, a city councilman who had been serving as interim mayor since May (having been appointed interim mayor on May 23, 1987, by the city council after mayor Michael Vandeveer resigned in order to accept a lobbyist job).[26][27]

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 5.[28]

Democratic primary

[edit]

Days before announcing his plans to resign, incumbent Michael Vandeveer was renominated by his party.[27] He had been unopposed for the nomination.[28] After Vanderveer announced his resignation, Frank F. McDonald II was selected by Democratic leaders to fill his place. McDonald was also appointed by the city council to serve as interim mayor until the winner of the election would take office.[26]

Republican primary

[edit]

Al Folz won the Republican nomination.

General election

[edit]

Folz was seen as running too weak of a campaign organization to stand a strong chance at winning the Democratic-leaning city.[29]

1987 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank F. McDonald II (incumbent) 21,974 63.62
Republican Al Folz 12,567 36.38
Total votes 34,541 100

1991

[edit]
1991 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1987 November 5, 1991 1995 →
 
Nominee Frank F. McDonald II Vaneta G. Becker
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 20,713 18,266
Percentage 53.14% 46.86%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald II
Democratic

Elected mayor

Frank F. McDonald II
Democratic

The 1991 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 5, 1991, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Frank F. McDonald II.

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 8.[30]

Democratic primary

[edit]

Incumbent mayor Frank F. McDonald II won renomination unopposed.[30]

Republican primary

[edit]
1991 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vaneta Becker 5,584 72.16
Republican Robert Whitehouse 2,154 27.84
Total votes 7,738 100

General election

[edit]
1991 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank F. McDonald II (incumbent) 20,713 53.14
Republican Vaneta G. Becker 18,266 46.86
Total votes 38,979 100

1995

[edit]
1995 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1991 November 7, 1995 1999 →
 
Candidate Frank F. McDonald II Lori Frary
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 19,162 9,565
Percentage 66.70 % 33.30%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald II
Democratic

Elected mayor

Frank F. McDonald II
Democratic

The 1995 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 7, 1995, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Frank McDonald II.

Primaries

[edit]

Primary elections were held on May 2.[32]

Democratic primary

[edit]

Incumbent Frank McDonald II was renominated, defeating challengers Frank Fuquay and Kerry Longest.[32][33]

Republican primary

[edit]

Business owner Lori Frary won the Republican nomination over David Coker, Jack Groshands, and Doug DeGroot.[32]

General election

[edit]

The election was considered a low-key race.[34] Discussion largely centered upon the city's upcoming riverboat casino, which would open the month after the election.[34]

1995 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank McDonald II (incumbent) 19,162 66.70
Republican Lori Frary 9,565 33.30
Total votes 28,727 100

1999

[edit]
1999 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1995 November 2, 1999 2003 →
Turnout36%
 
Candidate Russell G. Lloyd Jr. Rick Borris
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 15,980 15,461
Percentage 50.83% 49.18%

Mayor before election

Frank F. McDonald II[35]
Democratic

Elected mayor

Russell G. Lloyd Jr.
Republican

The 1999 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 2, 1999, and saw the election of Republican nominee Russell G. Lloyd Jr.

Incumbent Democrat Frank F. McDonald II did not seek reelection.

Nominations

[edit]

Democratic primary

[edit]
1999 Evansville, Indiana Democratic mayoral primary[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard J. "Rick" Borries 4,850 44.19
Democratic Gail C. Riecken 3,964 36.12
Democratic Phil Hoy 2,015 18.36
Democratic Lawrence Hall 147 1.34
Total votes 10,976 100

Republican primary

[edit]
1999 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell G. Lloyd, Jr. 4,559 86.87
Republican David Woll 689 13.13
Total votes 5,248 100

General election

[edit]
1999 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell G. Lloyd, Jr. 15,980 50.83
Democratic Richard J. "Rick" Borries 15,461 49.18
Turnout 31,441 36

2003

[edit]
2003 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 1999 November 4, 2003 2007 →
 
Candidate Jonathan Weinzapfel Russell G. Lloyd Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 19,089 10,063
Percentage 63.58% 33.51%

Mayor before election

Russell G. Lloyd Jr.
Republican

Elected mayor

Jonathan Weinzapfel
Democratic

The 2003 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 4, 2003, and saw the election of Democratic nominee Jonathan Weinzapfel, who unseated incumbent Republican mayor Russell G. Lloyd Jr.

Nominations

[edit]

Democratic primary

[edit]
2003 Evansville, Indiana Democratic mayoral primary[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jonathan Weinzapfel 4,117 100
Total votes 4,117 100

Republican primary

[edit]

Incumbent Russell G. Lloyd was challenged by Douglas DeGroot, who ran a frugal campaign.[40] DeGroot's performance in the vote was regarded as surprisingly strong.[41]

2003 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell G. Lloyd, Jr. (incumbent) 1,616 66.45
Republican Douglas DeGroot 816 33.55
Total votes 2,432 100

Independent candidates

[edit]

Jack Groshans, Jr. ran as an independent candidate.

General election

[edit]

Weinzapfel defeated Lloyd.

2003 was a good year for Democrats in Indiana's mayoral elections, with the party winning control of the mayoralties of all of the state's top seven most populous cities for the first time since 1959.[42] The Democratic Party also won control of the mayoralties in twenty of the state's thirty cities with populations above 25,000.[42] Additionally, in 2003, Democrats won more than 56% of partisan mayoral races in Indiana.[43]

During the general election, Vanderburgh County, where Evansville is located, saw voter turnout of 25% in its various elections.[44]

2003 Evnasville, Indiana mayoral election[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jonathan Weinzapfel 19,089 63.58
Republican Russell G. Lloyd Jr. (incumbent) 10,063 33.51
Independent Jack Groshans, Jr. 874 2.91
Total votes 30,026 100

2007

[edit]
2007 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 2003 November 6, 2007[46] 2011 →
 
Candidate Jonathan Weinzapfel David J. Nixon
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 13,097 2,268
Percentage 85.24% 14.76%

Mayor before election

Jonathan Weinzapfel
Democratic

Elected mayor

Jonathan Weinzapfel
Democratic

The 2007 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 6, 2007, and saw the reelection of Democratic incumbent Jonathan Weinzapfel.

Nominations

[edit]

Primary elections were held May 8.[47]

During the primary elections, the voter turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 6.12%.[47]

Democratic primary

[edit]
2007 Evansville, Indiana Democratic mayoral primary[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jonathan Weinzapfel (incumbent) 3,251 100
Total votes 3,251 100

Republican primary

[edit]
2007 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David J. Nixon 652 59.27
Republican Aaron M. Ridlen 448 40.73
Total votes 1,100 100

General election

[edit]

Voter turnout in Vanderburgh County during the November elections was 19.42%.[46]

2007 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jonathan Weinzapfel (incumbent) 13,097 85.24
Republican David J. Nixon 2,268 14.76
Total votes 15,365 100

2011

[edit]
2011 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 2007 November 8, 2011[48] 2015 →
 
Candidate Lloyd Winnecke Rick A. Davis
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 11,664 10,009
Percentage 53.82% 46.18%

Mayor before election

Jonathan Weinzapfel
Democratic

Elected mayor

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican

The 2011 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 8, 2011, and saw the election of Rerpublican nominee Lloyd Winnecke.'

Incumbent Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel did not seek reelection.

Nominations

[edit]

Primary elections were held May 3.[49]

During the primary elections, the voter turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 10.06%.[49]

Democratic primary

[edit]
2011 Evansville, Indiana Democratic mayoral primary[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick A. Davis 3,997 58.74
Democratic Troy Tornatta 2,808 41.26
Total votes 6,805 100

Republican primary

[edit]

Businessman Lloyd Winnecke defeated Douglas De Groot. De Groot had previously been a candidate in the 2003 Evansville Republican mayoral primary.[40]

2011 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lloyd Winnecke 2,201 92.17
Republican Douglas De Groot 187 7.83
Total votes 2,388 100

General election

[edit]

Voter turnout in Evansville for the municipal general election was 23.64%.[48]

2011 Evansville mayoral election[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lloyd Winnecke 11,664 53.82
Democratic Rick A. Davis 10,009 46.18
Total votes 21,673 100

2015

[edit]
2015 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 2011 November 3, 2015[50] 2019 →
 
Candidate Lloyd Winnecke Gail Riecken
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 12,309 6,723
Percentage 62.04% 33.88%

Mayor before election

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican

Elected mayor

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican

The 2015 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 3, 2015, and saw the reelection of Republican Lloyd Winnecke.

Nominations

[edit]

Primary elections were held May 5.[51] During the primary elections, turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 6.76%.[51]

Democratic primary

[edit]
2015 Evansville, Indiana Democratic mayoral primary[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gail Riecken 3,790 100
Total votes 3,790 100

Republican primary

[edit]
2015 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lloyd Winnecke (incumbent) 1,723 100
Total votes 1,723 100

Independent candidates

[edit]

Steve "Woz" Wozniak ran as an independent candidate.

General election

[edit]

During the general election, turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 20.70%.[50]

2015 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lloyd Winnecke (incumbent) 12,309 67.23
Democratic Gail Riecken 6,723 33.88
Independent Steve "Woz" Wozniak 809 4.08
Total votes 19,841 100

2019

[edit]
2019 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 2015 November 5, 2019[52] 2023 →
 
Candidate Lloyd Winnecke Steve Ary
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote 11,711 2,119
Percentage 80.75% 14.61%

Mayor before election

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican

Elected mayor

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican

The 2019 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 5, 2019, and saw the reelection of Republican Lloyd Winnecke to a third consecutive term.

Nominations

[edit]

Primary elections were held May 7.[53]

Democratic primary

[edit]

No candidate ran for the Democratic Party nomination.

For the first time in at least 85 years, the Democratic Party failed to field a candidate in an Evansville mayoral election.[54]

Candidates
[edit]
Declined to run
[edit]
  • Ryan Hatfield, state representative[54]
  • Ben Shoulders, Vanderburgh County Commissioner[54]
  • Jonathan Weaver, City Councilman[54]

Libertarian nomination

[edit]

Bart Gadau was nominated by the Libertarian Party.

Republican primary

[edit]
2019 Evansville, Indiana Republican mayoral primary[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lloyd Winnecke (incumbent) 1,938 88.05
Republican Connie L. Whitman 263 11.95
Total votes 2,201 100

Independent candidates

[edit]

Steve Ary ran as an independent candidate.

General election

[edit]

During the general election, turnout in Vanderburgh County, in which Evansville is located, was 19.94%.[52]

Winnecke became the fourth mayor of Evansville to be elected to a third term.[55]

2019 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lloyd Winnecke (incumbent) 11,711 80.75
Independent Steve Ary 2,119 14.61
Libertarian Bart Gadau 672 4.63
Total votes 14,502 100

2023

[edit]
2023 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election

← 2019 November 7, 2023 2027 →
 
Candidate Stephanie Terry Natalie Rascher Michael Daugherty
Party Democratic Republican Libertarian
Popular vote 8,679 7,131 2,032
Percentage 48.64 39.96 11.4

Mayor before election

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican

Elected mayor

Stephanie Terry
Democratic

The 2023 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023. Party nominees were selected in primary elections on May 2. Incumbent Republican mayor Lloyd Winnecke chose to retire rather than run for re-election to a fourth term in office and was succeeded by Stephanie Terry. [56]

Republican primary

[edit]

Declared

[edit]

Disqualified

[edit]

Withdrew

[edit]

Declined

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
Cheryl Musgrave
Local officials
Organizations
Natalie Rascher
Local officials

Results

[edit]
Republican primary results[68]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Natalie Rascher 3,604 63.7%
Republican Cheryl Musgrave 2,045 36.2%
Total votes 5,649 100%

Democratic primary

[edit]

Declared

[edit]

Disqualified

[edit]
  • Brian Alexander, advertising planner[70][60]

Declined

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
Stephanie Terry
Local officials

Libertarian nominee

[edit]
  • Michael Daugherty, retired businessman[73]

Results

[edit]
2023 Evansville, Indiana mayoral election[74]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephanie Terry 8,679 48.64
Republican Natalie Rascher 7,131 39.96
Libertarian Michael Daugherty 2,032 11.4
Total votes 17,842 100

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "1505148608_02494.pdf" (PDF). Evansville, Indiana. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "1568237380_97793.pdf" (PDF). Evansville, Indiana. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
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  5. ^ a b c "1505148253_11313.pdf" (PDF). Evansville, Indiana. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
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  9. ^ a b "Suit Against Evansville Mayor Nominee Dropped". Newspapers.com. The Indianapolis News. The Associated Press. August 30, 1955. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d ""Weathervane in Indiana points to Democrats"". Newspapers.com. The Kansas City Star. Associated Press. November 9, 1955. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
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  40. ^ a b "Mayor Lloyd's Primary Opponent, Douglas De Groot enters Republican Primary for Mayor". City-County Observer. February 16, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
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  54. ^ a b c d Langhorne, Thomas B. (June 30, 2019). "Evansville mayoral race is in uncharted territory". Evansville Courrier & Press. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  55. ^ Doyle, Abbey (November 5, 2019). "Lloyd Winnecke's re-election puts him in select group of Evansville mayors". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  56. ^ a b Brown, Alex (July 11, 2022). "Evansville mayor not seeking re-election". Inside Indiana Business. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  57. ^ Langhorne, Thomas (July 7, 2022). "Musgrave will run for Evansville mayor in 2023, whether Winnecke seeks re-election or not". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  58. ^ "Natalie Rascher announces bid for mayor, increasing Republican primary field to three".
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  60. ^ a b "Field of Evansville mayor candidates down two after election board action".
  61. ^ Garrett, Jana (July 13, 2022). "Gabe Whitley throws his hat in the ring". www.tristatehomepage.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  62. ^ a b "Three more people have opted out of the Evansville mayoral race". January 17, 2023.
  63. ^ a b c d Smith, Bailey (July 11, 2022). "Mayor's retirement sparks question – who will run for office in 2023?". www.tristatehomepage.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  64. ^ "Steve Schaefer not running for Evansville Mayor".
  65. ^ a b "More mayoral races uncompetitive" (PDF). February 9, 2023.
  66. ^ "Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers Endorses Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave for Mayor".
  67. ^ "FOP puts support behind Cheryl Musgrave in Evansville mayoral race".
  68. ^ "ELECTION RESULTS: Rascher defeats Musgrave in Evansville GOP mayoral primary". MSN.
  69. ^ a b "Democrat Stephanie Terry announces campaign for Mayor of Evansville".
  70. ^ "There's a contest among Democrats for mayor of Evansville — for now".
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  72. ^ Bailey, Cody (September 6, 2022). "EPD Assistant Chief considering run for Evansville mayor". www.tristatehomepage.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  73. ^ "Michael Daugherty makes announcement for Evansville mayor".
  74. ^ "Election Results". 14 News. Retrieved November 10, 2023.