Meet the New Mayor, Same As the Old Mayor

By: Mr. Wilson on May 4, 2011
Mayor Chris Beutler is back for four more years after yesterday's election victory. He pulled in just under 65% of the vote, while Republican Tammy Buffington managed 35%. When you look at Buffington's campaign, 35% is a huge and depressing figure. Poor Ms. Buffington was out-funded, out-prepared, and out-classed at every step of the way. Her campaign was, to put it bluntly, embarrassing. That over one-third of voting Lincolnites think she should lead this city is horrifying. That she was the best candidate local Republicans could come up with is unfortunate. To be clear, I don't intend to pick on Tammy Buffington as a person. She could be delightful and brilliant for all I know. But she sure didn't show any of that during her campaign. Congratulations to Mr. Beutler. Lincolnites have a generally positive attitude these days in part to his leadership on a variety of exciting projects and activities around town. But be aware: there are some rocky times ahead. Beutler faces some nasty budget problems and it's all but certain that we will have to deal with a tax increase, a drastic cut in services, or both. We'll hear more about that reality soon. Prepare for it.

Comments

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peter
May 5, 2011 at 8:05PM

A less than 22% turnout seems awfully low, considering it was a mayoral race.

And with that being said, I forgot to vote myself.

Mr. Wilson
May 5, 2011 at 9:33PM

To be fair, it was an extraordinarily boring election. There were three things on my ballot, and of those three only the Airport Authority race had any drama whatsoever.

I did vote. I only mention that to brag about the fact that I found the dang polling station despite their best efforts to hide it. (It was a temporary location.)

Fletch
May 5, 2011 at 9:53PM

Most boring election I can remember, ever.

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