11032015 - News Article - Snyder wins re-election as Portage mayor

Snyder wins re-election as Portage mayor
NWI Times
Joyce Russell
Nov 03, 2015
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/snyder-wins-re-election-as-portage-mayor/article_6c71ebe3-d3a8-5773-8f06-18deba00f109.html

PORTAGE | Incumbent Republican Mayor James Snyder entered the hall at Woodland Park late Tuesday night to the tune of "We Are the Champions."

Snyder, who appeared only after all the votes were counted and he was declared the winner, shouted "Four more years" as he took to the podium with his wife and children.

In a tight race Tuesday marred by some early difficulties at polling places, Snyder defeated Democrat Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy by 225 votes.

Because of the difficulties, polling places remained open an hour later. Votes cast between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. were considered provisional ballots, but it is not likely enough were cast to make a difference in the outcome of the election.

"I can't begin to tell you the feeling of four more years in this great city," Snyder told the crowd of supporters who chanted back at him, "Four more years."

"This city and this campaign were synonymous. We worked hard and the people in this city work hard," he said. "I look forward to four more years with the best department heads this city could have.

"I look forward to four more years with the best workforce this city or mayor could have. I look forward to four more years with the best people this mayor could serve," Snyder said.

Snyder told the crowd that his win proved that "negative campaigning and divisiveness" doesn't work.

"Party politics doesn't work," he said.

"Thank you and I look forward to God blessing this city for four more years," Snyder told his supporters.

Clancy, a former city councilman and second term Portage Township Trustee, said he believed the two fought a good campaign.

"We raised a lot of good, valid points. I believe there will be a closer eye on the city's purse strings and on the Redevelopment Commission," Clancy said after the votes were tallied.

"I want to give kudos to the mayor for running a good campaign. I look forward to working together to move the city of Portage and Portage Township forward," Clancy said.