05032011 - News Article - Velazquez wins Portage mayoral primary

Velazquez wins Portage mayoral primary
NWI Times
May 3, 2011
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/velazquez-wins-portage-mayoral-primary/article_286f0cae-8ca3-5203-a77b-010af66787bc.html
PORTAGE | Incumbent Mayor Olga Velazquez easily won the Democratic primary Tuesday setting up a repeat race in November against Republican James Snyder.

Velazquez garnered 65 percent of the votes cast in the primary to defeat Portage Clerk-Treasurer Donna Pappas and Portage businessman John Barlow. Pappas received about 24 percent of the vote while Barlow received 10 percent.

Velazquez and her supporters gathered at the Portage Yacht Club as vote totals were called in and posted on a leader board. Cheers arose from the group as totals from each precinct were announced. Velazquez swept all the Portage precincts.

"It's a great, great night," she said, thanking her supporters. "The people heard our message. This is truly the future of Portage."

Velazquez said voters believed in her message of "protect Portage, improve Portage and serve Portage."

"We have a safe community, our voters see that. We will continue to carry that message. This proves that hard work does pay off in Portage. We will continue on the path of success for Portage," she said.

Pappas, who has served as clerk-treasurer for nine years and previously served on the city council, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. Pappas, who did not accept endorsement nor donations and did not post yard signs, ran on a campaign of fiscal responsibility.

Velazquez also called for unity in the Democratic party as the candidates work to be elected in November.

As Velazquez was surrounded by supporters, so was Snyder, who held a campaign kick-off at the Best Western Portage.

"It is clear that the Democrats in Portage are not satisfied with their current leadership," said Snyder, pointing to the defeat of three incumbent city council representatives.

"The Democrats didn't feel they had a viable option in their primary," he said regarding the mayoral race. "They will have a viable option in the fall."

Velazquez defeated Snyder for the mayor's seat in November 2007 by about 300 votes.