State senate finance chair asks for recount after losing primary

For State Sen. Larry Borst, it ain't over until it's over. After losing in the primary by 48 votes to Johnson County Council President Brent Waltz, he wants a recount.\nFor three decades, Borst, R-Greenwood, has been the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, which decides issues as funding for public education, higher education, welfare and health care. Many thought he would be undefeatable in a election -- let alone a primary. The recount, which will last approximately three weeks, will finally show whether he is.\nBorst said he struggled with the decision to ask for a recount, but ultimately decided to because the race was so close. There were also reports of ballot shortages, which could have allowed Borst to ask for a special election, but he chose not to go that route. He said he knows some people may view it as being a sore loser, but he said a recount is necessary under circumstances such as these.\n"I paid my fee for the recount," he said. "It's more than fair and in the law."\nStill, more than 48 votes uncounted would be very extraordinary for Indiana. According to the Indianapolis Star, a recount changed the tally by only one vote two years ago, in a hotly contested legislative race in House District 86 on the city's north side.\nBorst also admits that the recount would count both Democratic and Republican votes and could possibly uncover more votes for his opponents. Nevertheless, he said he needs to "make sure."\nWaltz told the Star he'd like to put this primary behind him and move on with his campaign.\n"I would much rather have my focus on resolving the state's problems than dealing with legal wrangling," he said.\nWaltz could not be reached for comment at IDS press time Wednesday.\nWhoever wins the recount will face Democrat Terry Rice in the election.\nRice said it doesn't matter who he runs against, but he was looking forward to campaigning against Borst.\n"As president of the Perry (Township) Education Association, I've known him for years," he said. "He and I know each other from other issues and I was looking forward to challenging him on these issues."\nRice admits that he is running in a very Republican district, but said the primary controversy may actually work to his advantage. With the Republicans so divided among themselves, he said it may be the perfect opportunity for change.\n"I think I have a good chance," he said. "Nobody gave Waltz a chance, but look, he beat Borst. I think the demographics in our area are changing."\nAfter decades in the state legislation, Borst is well regarded among fellow party members as one of the most respected Republicans in Indiana and helped bring the lottery and riverboat casinos to Indiana to increase revenue.\nBorst said if he didn't get chosen for the primary, he said he'd move on with his life.\n"Maybe I'll go back to school," he said. "I've written one book, maybe I'll write another. I don't know. I could do a lot of things."\nBut for the time being, Borst isn't giving up the fight. He said he plans to fight for his candidacy and continue to serve as state senator.\n"Right now, I'm still finance chair, so I have a lot to focus on."\n-- Contact staff writer Adam Aasen at aaasen@indiana.edu.