Delaware County Democrats held a watch party Nov. 5 at the Democratic headquarters downtown and at the south side of Muncie at Common Market for Election Day 2024 after the polls closed. 

Chrys Overbey was present at the event held at the downtown location to support her husband, Roger Overbey (D), who was running for Delaware County Council. Roger lost with only 15.63 percent of the total votes.

Chrys spoke about how “all issues are important” because everything is in “uproar and turmoil.” She said, as a Republican, she is happy with Trump and Braun earning victories in Indiana.

Roger said people have asked him if he can get along with other people, to which he said that “it starts at home.”

Chrys commented on how the country’s current political division is upsetting to her. 

“It would be great if we could all just come together and be Americans and all work together for the same purpose,” Chrys said. 

City Council President Jerry Dishman was present at the watch party and spoke about abortion rights in the state and county. 

“I'd like to see that resolved. If the ladies have complications, they'll get taken care of,” Dishman said.

In the upcoming year, Dishman said he wants to try and bring more business into town, get public housing for people and try to provide more jobs for the homeless. 

Dishman thought Hoosiers were leaning blue more this election and — in the future — wants the Democratic party to become stronger together. 

“Democrats think more for the working class person, and they want to see their benefits and wages increase,” Dishman said.  

Incumbent candidate for Indiana House District 34, Sue Errington, was present at the Common Market event. 

Errington has been a state representative for 12 years and said she is very happy with the election results. Sue won her race with 55.08 percent of votes — the only Democrat to win in the county. 

“I'm happy for myself. I'm not happy for some of the others that I was hoping would be celebrating tonight,” Errington said. 

She believes the reason why the election is so close this year compared to past years is due to polarization in the country. 

“I think that people are trying to figure it out, and there's a lot of polarization … There aren't that many people in the middle,” Errington said. 

No matter the result, she said she is just glad people went out and voted. She hopes other Democratic candidates will remain optimistic and involved. 

“I know it takes hanging in there. I've been in the minority the whole time, and so you just have to keep looking at the bright side and thinking, ‘We will make progress,’” Errington said. 

John Bartlett, a Democrat who ran for the Indiana State House District 33, was also at the watch party. Bartlett lost to John (J.D.) Prescott (R), 70.46 percent to 29.54 percent. 

“I listened to people, I listened to their concerns, and if I didn't know much about their concerns, I studied it, I learned about it, and I'm trying to give them the best,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett also expressed concerns of political division between the two parties.

“I wish that the two groups would kind of sit down and negotiate a piece that's workable so that there is one unified party, because together, we're stronger,” Bartlett said.

Contact Shelby Anderson via email at sanderson9@bsu.edu.

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