Five Votes Decide Rising Sun Mayoral Race

(Rising Sun, Ind.) – The newest and perhaps youngest mayor ever in Rising Sun eaked out an election night victory, but the decision may not be final yet.

Brandon Roeder, a 29-year-old Republican, held a three vote advantage over incumbent Democrat Bill Marksberry with the ballots cast on Election Day Tuesday. A count of three more provisional ballots gave Roeder a five vote lead, 388 to 383.

Roeder is the grandson of a previous Rising Sun mayor, John Roeder, Sr. The elder Roeder was elected in 1999, but illness forced him to resign in 2002. He died a year later.

In such tight races, Indiana law allows candidates up to 14 days to file a petition for a recount. A political party, such as the Ohio County Democrat Party, has up to 17 days to file for a recount.

A petitioner would also have to pay a cash deposit to cover the cost of a recount. The deposit would be refunded if the recount changes the outcome of the election.

The mayoral heat was not the only close contest in Rising Sun. Republican City Council District 3 candidate Mike Padgett has a nine vote lead over Democrat challenger Tim Adams, 389 to 380.

Rising Sun voters turned out in good numbers Tuesday with about 50 percent of the 1,683 registered voters casting a ballot.