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Mary Milz/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis, Dec. 17 - Six weeks after Marion County voters went to the polls, Democrats claim control of the City-County Council.
In a surprise move, Republican two-term incumbent Curt Coonrod ended the recount in a race he lost by 13 votes to Democrat Sherron Franklin.
Coonrod says the recount commission made it clear he faced a losing battle. "To go ahead would have involved petty discussions and squabbles over throwing out ballots with a smudge or pencil mark or missing the signature of a clerk and we felt at that point that wasn't how we wanted to win the election."
The concession paves the way for Franklin, an Indianapolis police officer, to begin her first stint at elective office.
Reached by phone, she said, "I'm happy it's over. It's just running a race forever. I want to get out and help as many people as I can."
She's not the only one eager to move forward. Coonrod's defeat assures the Democrats of a 15-14 majority on the 29-member council, a first in the council's 30-year history and big boost for Democratic Mayor Bart Peterson, who easily won re-election in November. "I'm very happy the council will be controlled by the (Democrats). These are people I've worked with, campaigned with and I know they'll do a good job."
The shift gives Peterson and his fellow Democrats more clout as they tackle a host of issues including how to address rising property taxes, what to do to keep the Indianapolis Colts and how to expand public transportation beyond Marion County.
Still, the mayor says that even with a one-seat edge, don't expect dramatic changes in city-county government. "For the most part we're talking about a whole group committed to the city and doing what's best for it. And most issues at the local level are not partisan issues, so I don't see a sea change."
Coonrod says if nothing else, he hopes the recount convinces people that every vote does count.
The recount wrapped up in another race. Democrat Karen Horseman was contesting her three vote loss to Republican Scott Keller. After the recount, Keller picked up two additional votes over Horseman.
