“Mayor Matt” has completed the first step toward continuing to serve as mayor of Seymour for the next four years.
In Tuesday’s municipal primary election, Matt Nicholson won the Republican race for mayor with 1,020 votes (59.3%), compared to 700 votes (40.7%) for political newcomer Dan Robison.
The Jackson County Democratic Party has until noon July 3 to fill ballot vacancies for Seymour mayor, clerk-treasurer and five city council seats for the Nov. 7 general election. Independent candidates have until noon June 30 to file a petition of nomination.
Otherwise, Nicholson and Clerk-Treasurer Darrin Boas will retain their positions. Boas ran unopposed in Tuesday’s primary and received 1,423 votes.
As for the city council seats, districts 1 (Matthew Wheeler), 2 (Jerry Hackney), 4 (Seth Davidson) and 5 (Brad Lucas) and two at-large (Drew Storey and Clint Blish) all ran unopposed on the Republican ballot, and District 1 (Andrew “Drew” Davis) and an at-large candidate (Tonya Pacey) didn’t have a challenger on the Democratic ballot. Wheeler, Hackney, Davidson and Storey are incumbents.
There are 11,148 registered voters in the city, which was the only one of the four municipalities in the county to have a primary election this year. A total of 1,829 ballots were cast, resulting in a 16.4% turnout.
Of his initial thoughts when he learned the results Tuesday night, Nicholson said, “Well, we’ve got to get up and go tomorrow and keep doing what we do. We’re going to keep pushing forward and keep trying to make Seymour the best it can be and go from there.”
To the people who voted for him, he had two words: Thank you.
“It confirms that we’ve been doing what we need to do over the last three and a half years to make Seymour better, and people see it,” he said.
Between now and the general election, Nicholson said there are a couple of things that should be wrapping up that he’s looking forward to seeing the results.
One is the Brookings Economic Study. That program provides analysis of current and emerging economic issues to promote innovative and practical policy solutions, according to brookings.edu.
Nicholson said that’s focused on community-centered economic inclusion, and the city has two more advisory team meetings remaining.
“Basically, what it is is bringing all of the people to the table because we’re a community full of many, many, many different people,” he said. “We’re trying to get them all to be able to get their voice heard and make sure that they help us shape what Seymour looks like in the future.”
The second is a recovery grant that looks at identifying and filling gaps when it comes to substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services in Jackson County.
“We’ve got so much stuff that we’re already working on that this gives me a chance to continue working on it,” Nicholson said. “Yes, we’ve got to get through the general election, but it gives me the feeling that what we’ve been working on is the right stuff.”
Winning the Republican race in the primary election is another step in the direction to serve the citizens of Seymour for four more years, he said.
“Again, thank you to all of them that got out there and voted for me, and thank you to my team, both in city hall that has worked really hard to make Seymour what it is right now, but also thank you to my team that helped work the polls, helped with campaign stuff, was just involved through all of this process,” Nicholson said.
Robison, director of the Jackson County Chamber, said he appreciates everyone who voted for him.
“I’m just super thankful for everyone that supported me throughout the campaign,” he said. “It was my first time ever running for office, so I certainly appreciate all of the folks that supported my campaign.”
When asked why he chose to put his name on a ballot for the first time, Robison said, “I just feel like there was room for us to improve the way we do government in the city of Seymour, and I brought forward my ideas, and the voters went with Mayor Matt’s ideas.”
As for any future run for a political office, Robison said he doesn’t have any thoughts around that.
“I’m grateful to be able to go back and continue to serve the community through my role at the Jackson County Chamber,” he said.
He also will continue to serve as a member of the Seymour Plan Commission.
Looking back on his run for mayor, Robison said it was a lot of work, but he thoroughly enjoyed meeting a lot of people and having great conversations with people who care about their community.
“Obviously, the outcome wasn’t what I wanted, but it was a good experience,” he said.
Also during the general election in Jackson County in November, registered voters in Brownstown, Crothersville and Medora will select council members and clerk-treasurers. Candidates have until Aug. 1 to file declarations of candidacy.