Published: November 05, 2008 01:04 am         

House District 44: Former Greencastle major wins

TERRE HAUTE — A former Greencastle mayor will head off to the Statehouse come January, and she said Tuesday night she’s ready to go.

“I really look forward to the next couple of years,” Democrat Nancy Michael said as votes were being tallied for the Indiana House District 44. “I am honored to have the confidence of the district.”

Michael defeated incumbent Republican Amos Thomas of Brazil and Libertarian Darrell Goldman of Bainbridge for the spot and noted her team has worked hard at getting out the vote.

Thomas’ brother, John, held the 44th District seat for 24 years and nephew Andy held it for one term before his.

According to unofficial results from the Associated Press Tuesday evening, Michael won 12,428 votes to Thomas’ 11,275 and Goldman’s 764.

District 44 covers all of Putnam county and parts of Clay and Parke counties as well as two precincts in Vigo County.

Michael worked her way up from payroll clerk for the Indiana State Auditor’s office to the Department of Corrections’ Putnamville Facility before serving as Putnam County clerk, mayor of Greencastle and member of County Council.

“I never felt like an underdog,” she said. “I felt like I brought some qualifications that were important.”

Michael said her primary issues are education, health care and the impact of property taxes on farms and businesses, noting she’ll be out and about as soon as possible.

Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.