Hill concedes tenure in House

After serving five nonconsecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for the Indiana’s 9th District, Baron Hill, Democrat, lost to Representative-elect Todd Young, Republican, in a 53-42 percent vote.

Supporters of Hill’s campaign awaited results in Seymour, Ind., Hill’s hometown.

In an unassuming, wood-paneled winery called Chateau de Pique, supporters began to arrive when the doors opened at 6:30 p.m., half an hour after the Indiana polls closed.
The results of Hill’s race were not released until 9 p.m.

At about 7 p.m., the result for the Indiana Senate race was released. The Republican win did not dampen the spirits of those waiting for Hill.

At 8:48 p.m., 71 percent of the vote was reported, and Young had won with 85,411 votes to Hill’s 63,086.

The noise and cheerfulness of the room fell shortly after; people patted each other on the backs, offering reassurance for their hard work.

Baron Hill arrived at 9:09 p.m. to clapping and cheering; the loss had not dampened the supporters’ fervor.

He shook hands, smiling at supporters, as he walked to the podium with his wife, daughter and granddaughter.

“Well, we came a little short tonight,” Hill said to the supporters.

He told the crowd that about 10 minutes before he arrived, he called Young to congratulate him.

He said he wants to work with Young in the future because he will be faced with many important decisions.

“The most important people are the people that I represent,” Hill said. “I want to make sure that those people are taken care of.”

Hill reminded those present that Democrats entered a poor economy two years ago.

“Ladies and gentlemen, don’t let anyone tell you differently — the Democratic Party has saved this country,” Hill said. “I am proud to have been part of that process for the last two years.”

Those present were gravely disappointed by the loss.

Beth McManus, a volunteer for Hill’s campaign, said she is very sorry to see someone with Hill’s expertise lose.

“I think Baron Hill has done a lot of great things in Congress as well as on the grassroots level,” McManus said.

She also said she is proud of Hill’s staff.

“Politics aside, they’ve done a lot of great bipartisan things,” McManus said.

Alex Rossini is a resident of the 9th District and volunteered for Hill’s campaign. He said he feared Hill’s loss was a prediction for the rest of the country.

“We failed to remind voters that what the party did over the last two years was pass some of the most amazing reforms in American history,” Rossini said. “It’s disheartening.”

Jean Marr Wilkins, a Columbus, Ind. native, was also disappointed.

“I think we’ve lost, I hope temporarily, a great congressman,” Wilkins said.

She said Hill represented the district very well with both his vision and his principles.

“He certainly cared about doing what was right for the country and the district as well.” Wilkins said.

Hill finished his address by thanking everyone who had gathered to wait for the results.

“You have been very loyal supporters for a very long period of time, and I know this hurts you as much as it hurts me,” Hill said.

He reminded his supporters not to give up yet.

“There’s always another election down the road,” Hill said.