UPDATED: Cravens wins Greene County Council at Large seat

By a 2-1 vote, the Greene County Commissioners selected Democrat Rae Della Cravens to fill the final at large seat on the Greene County Council. Here, Democrat commissioners Bart Beard (at right) and Bill Sipes (middle) cast their vote in favor of Cravens. At left, is Republican Commissioner Kathy Crouch, who voted for Ken Gremore. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

On Monday morning, she claimed victory in her closest race yet and ended the longest local election cycle in Greene County history.

By a 2-1 vote the Greene County Commissioners selected the Democrat Cravens over Republican incumbent Ken Gremore.

Rae Della Cravens [Order this photo]

The vote went along party lines with Democrats Bart Beard and Bill Sipes raising their hands in support of Cravens. Republican Kathy Crouch cast her ballot for Gremore.

"I'm glad to get this over with and I'm looking forward to 2009," a relieved Cravens said after the brief meeting. "I'm ready to work and be interested in everything the council does and will do full participation."

Gremore, who was seeking re-election to a second term, left the meeting immediately following the vote without comment.

Cravens will now take her oath of office along with the other new officeholders in a ceremony Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the Greene Circuit Courtroom -- located on the third floor of the courthouse. Circuit Judge Erik Allen will preside over the swearing in.

The commissioners were given the opportunity by state election law to cast the tie-breaking vote following the Nov. 4 General Election vote that showed Cravens a one-vote victor; then a two-day recount earlier this month deadlocked the vote at 6,370 apiece.

On Dec. 22, the County Council had a chance to break the tie, but a party line vote ended in another deadlock by a 3-3 vote -- sending the race to the commissioners.

William "Butch" Brown, a Democrat, and newcomer, Republican Jerry Frye will occupy the other two at-large seats on the council. Brown will start a third term on the council that will now have a 4-3 Democrat Party majority.

Previously, the Republicans held a 4-3 edge on the council for the last eight years.

Commissioner's President Bart Beard said both candidates were very qualified to serve on the council.

He did tell the Greene County Daily World that Gremore has worked hard for the county in the WestGate Tech Park project and he hopes that role won't change much.

Beard said he is eager to talk to Gremore about an appointment to the Greene County Development Commission and also to the WestGate Authority.

"I think he can really help us there," Beard said. "He'll be involved as a WestGate person then...That will be good for him. He can stay involved with it (WestGate)."

Cravens is no stranger to elected elected political office -- having served 16 years -- eight as Clerk of the Circuit Court and eight years as Greene County Recorder.

She has been employed in county government for 23 years.

Cravens currently works in the Greene County Clerk's office as a first deputy. Her duties involve both civil and criminal cases handled through Superior Court. She is also a current member of the Greene County General Hospital Board of Trustees.

Cravens stressed that she has the professional experience to understand the workings of county government and provides her with the background to serve as a county council member.

She was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court in 1990 and 1994 and served in the Southern District Clerk's Association as Secretary/Treasurer and then President. She also served second and first vice president and then President of the Indiana State Clerk's Association and was on the Board of Directors of the Association of Indiana Counties.

Cravens was elected to the office of County Recorder in 1998 and 2002 and served for eight years as Recorder ending Dec. 31, 2006. She was elected as treasurer of the Indiana State Recorder's Association in 2005.

Cravens favors the continued financial support of the WestGate Tech Park project and said she'll be involved in the project as a council member.

"I think the WestGate is very important. I've been down there and I've very interested in it. It is just one piece of the puzzle. Hopefully all of the (county) council will get involved in it. There are seven of us and I think we have enough of us to spread around. I'm going to enjoy working with the council and I've enjoyed working for the county for the last 23 years."

Cravens is a 1970 graduate of Eastern High School. She is current member of the Clerk's of the Circuit Court Association, the Association of Indiana Counties and the Greene County Democrat Women's Club.

She has two daughters, Robin Wright and her husband Brick who live in Linton with their son Case and daughter Rose; and Amber Fellows and her husband Aaron live in Ellettsville.