New Castle mayor's race

From today's Muncie STar Press:

Some are supporting Democrat Sherman Boles, the former mayor who served 12 straight years before he was beat in the 2003 primary by current Mayor Tom Nipp. Boles returned the favor and beat Nipp this past May.

But Nipp supporters wouldn't dare vote for Boles, so many have switched sides since the spring primary. A faction of Democrats have formed Democrats for Jim Small, the Republican who wants to become the city's first Republican mayor in more than 50 years.

According to voter registration records, 40 percent of New Castle voters cast ballots in the fall of 2003.

There has been no shortage of attacks between the two men. Small has referred to Boles' previous years in office as ones where the budget was "almost out of control" and where everything from taxes to drug abuse increased. Small, who is working as a special projects officer for the New Castle-Henry County Economic Development Corp., said his experience in that office proves he's helping the city move forward.

Race for New Castle mayor has split Democratic party