Democrat Brad Ellsworth gives concession

After the polls closed in Indiana, U.S. Congressman Brad Ellsworth’s loss seemed imminent. However, Democratic supporters at the Marriott in downtown Indianapolis
remained hopeful.   

“I’m going to stay optimistic and say it’s still early,” supporter Kevin Fyffe said around 7:25 p.m.

Others had already given in to the idea that Ellsworth had lost his U.S. Senate candidacy to Republican Dan Coats.

“I think we did as well as we could have, considering the opponent had a lot of money and a lot of name recognition coming into the race,” Ellsworth supporter Emily Bantz said.

Silvia Leahu-Aluas expressed disappointment with Sen. Evan Bayh’s decision not to run for re-election this midterm.

“We’re mostly disappointed with Evan Bayh creating a difficult situation,” Leahu-Aluas said.

After being welcomed to the stage with resounding cheers, Ellsworth officially conceded just after 8 p.m.

In his speech, the outgoing congressman, who has represented Indiana’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007, thanked his supporters
and staff.

“Please don’t ever be disillusioned that you got involved,” Ellsworth said.

He said he was proud of the campaign and had no regrets.

Ellsworth went on to say that his interactions with Indiana voters during the campaign process renewed his faith in the country’s future.

“We have good, generous people in this state,” Ellsworth said.

Ellsworth urged students across Indiana to remain involved and stay informed.

Ellsworth said understanding the policies of each candidate, not just of their party, will remain an important step for student voters.

Sen. Evan Bayh, who attended the event, said he believes the midterm election results are indicative of national trends.

“Tonight reflects some broad trends sweeping the country, particularly the fact that the unemployment rate in Indiana is over 10 percent,” Bayh said.

Bayh is Indiana’s current U.S. Senator and former Indiana state governor. Coats and Ellsworth ran for his seat during this year’s midterm elections when Bayh announced several months ago that he would not be running for re-election.

Bayh said he hopes those in office will continue to cross party lines in an effort to effect positive change.

Supporter Joanne Sanders said she was disappointed by the election’s final results.
“It’s unfortunate that the state of Indiana does not have Democratic representation,” Sanders said.

Ellsworth said his next move is uncertain, but he is sure that he will return home to a dog who will have to be bribed after his absence and a yard that will need to be raked.
Before serving in Congress, Ellsworth worked for 24 years in Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s office, where he served two terms as sheriff.

Coats represented Indiana’s 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1989.

From 1989 to 1999, Coats served as Indiana’s U.S. Senator before becoming the U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005.