CUMBERLAND — The Republican challenger defeated the incumbent Democrat in a race for a Cumberland Town Council district that straddles Hancock and Marion counties.
Aaron Cutshaw got 47 votes in Marion County to Terheide’s 46, but Hancock County voters pushed Terheide to victory with 47 to Cutshaw’s 13.
It will be Terheide’s first time in elected office. He said he was excited to learn of the win, adding he put in a lot of campaigning hours between Labor Day and Election Day.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“Folks from both counties were great,” he said.
Terheide, a captain with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, will finish his 32nd year on the force next month. He’s served on the Cumberland Metropolitan Board of Police Commissioners since January 2016 and is one of its original members.
“Public safety is near and dear to my heart,” he said.
He added he’s looking forward to helping those working in public safety in Cumberland to continue to do so to the best of their and the town’s abilities.
“They do wonderful with the resources they got, taking care of the folks here,” he said.
Terheide is also looking forward to working on ways to bring more businesses to town, particularly along Washington Street and other commercial zones, while maintaining the neighborhood feel of residential areas.
Helping community groups become more involved with the town is another one of his priorities.
Two of the biggest issues he heard about while campaigning were road repairs and street lights, he said, adding he looks forward to addressing those as well after taking office.
Terheide teaches management at Ball State University and holds a doctorate from Purdue University in organizational leadership as well as a master of business administration from Ball State.
He said he’s grateful to his family along with GOP officials in Hancock and Marion counties for their support.
Terheide called Cutshaw “a very hospitable and gracious man.”
“He has been nothing but ethical and respectful,” Terheide said. “…I got nothing but the highest regard for him.”
Cutshaw could not be reached for comment by press time Wednesday.
Republicans Brian Gritter, Edward Loud, Anna Pea and Joseph Siefker were running unopposed for the other seats on the Cumberland council.
Republican Erica Salmon was running unopposed for clerk-treasurer, and Republican Michael Franceschini was running unopposed for town judge.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How You Voted” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Council District 4
J. Aaron Cutshaw (D);60
Breck Terheide (R);93
Clerk-treasurer
Erica Salmon (R);364
Town Judge
Michael R. Franceschini (R);357
Council District 3
Anna Pea (R);50
Council District 5
Joseph Siefker (R);76
Sources: Hancock County Election Office, indy.gov
[sc:pullout-text-end]
