Uran defeats divided GOP

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BY MARISA KWIATKOWSKI
mkwiatkowski@nwitimes.com
219.662.5333 | Wednesday, November 07, 2007 | (28 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | Democrat David Uran yanked Crown Point from the grasp of a divided city Republican Party on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old former city police officer secured Crown Point's top job with slightly more than half of the votes, according to unofficial election results. His opponent, Republican Gayle Van Sessen, conceded at 8:16 p.m.

"It's unbelievable," Uran shouted, standing atop a chair at White Hawk Country Club to address the crowd of well-wishers.

He said enthusiasm is what endeared him to voters.

"We did a lot of things that weren't done before," Uran said, citing his DVD campaign message, airplane advertising and other ideas. "We've gone from a family of six to a family of 24,000 now. ... I won't let them down."

He will be only the second Democratic leader in the city's history. Sixteen years ago, former Democratic Mayor Jim Metros snatched victory from a split Republican Party to become the first. Metros served three terms.

History appeared to repeat itself Tuesday night.

Van Sessen said her campaign was eroded by party dissension.

Longtime Republican City Councilman Bob Corbin openly supported Uran, and current Mayor Dan Klein refused to endorse Van Sessen after he was defeated in a volatile May 8 primary.

"I'm somewhat disappointed in the Republicans in this community," Van Sessen said quietly. "Maybe this community just is not ready for a lady mayor."

Republican City Chairman John Moos disagreed.

"I don't believe there was a split in the Republican Party," he said. "We worked as hard as we could. ... I'm glad they both ran clean campaigns."

Uran's campaign was marked by support from some of the area's most influential Democrats.

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and Gary Mayor and Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Rudy Clay were among those who threw their weight behind Uran.

Van Sessen said she looks forward to working with Uran and will continue to be an advocate for the Crown Point business community. The 53-year-old is executive director of the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce.

"I'll just go to work at the chamber and stay there and do my thing," she said.

Uran said he learned never to take anything for granted by being a Cubs fan.

"A big thanks to Crown Point residents for trusting me with their future," he said. "There are ups and downs in every election. ... I guarantee ya we had more ups than downs."

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This is why I voted for David Uran!!! Good Job!!! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 2:33 PM:

" It's common sense. He cares about CP citizens. David Uran sends a thank everyone for your encouragement and support during this election email. Gayle say thank you to nobody. No email!!! No website message!!!(www.gayleformayor.com) Nothing!!! Maybe Uran should post a thank you for supporting my opponent message to Gayle’s supporters. It's the least he can do for a loser like Gayle!!! "

From: North Lake County Favors wrote on Nov 8, 2007 12:10 PM:

" It's the Republican supporters who didn't want Gayle not the Lake County Democrats. It is very obvious that Gayle didn't speak for the Citizens of Crown Point just her own delusions of grandeur. "

Great Job David!!!! You are going to be a great mayor for Crown Point!!! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 11:28 AM:

" How about the Times picking Gayle to win!!!NOT!!! EDITORIAL: Van Sessen has experience to lead Crown Point. "I DON'T THINK SO!!!" "

Congrats David!!! I have good news and bad news!!! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 10:13 AM:

" The good news is that you are the Mayor of the Crown Point. Awesome!!! The bad news is Gayle is still in the chamber. RATS!!! Hopefully, Gayle doesn't divide the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce like she did with the Republican Party. "

To: North Lake County Favors wrote on Nov 8, 2007 9:12 AM:

" Why do they want Gayle at the chamber? Because they were afraid of her as the mayor. That's the point.....they didn't want her to be mayor because she would work for the people and not do what the North Lake County Democrats wanted! So....you are saying Dave Uran will do what they want since Gayle is out of the way. Thanks, you have validated my worst fears! "

"Van Sessen said she looks forward to working with Uran" wrote on Nov 8, 2007 6:29 AM:

" My advice to Mr. Uran is to never have your back facing Gayle. If you do, there will be a huge knife waiting for you. if you don't believe me, take a look at Mayor Klein's back, he has a huge sword with Gayle's initials on it. My advice to Gayle is to stay at the chamber and never ever run for another Republican position again. You’re a punch line in the Republican Party and the sad thing is that it’s not even funny. "

Wrong! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 11:36 PM:

" Don't you mean thank you Wheeler, Klein and Corbin for destroying the CP Republican Party -THEY supported URAN! "

sad republican wrote on Nov 7, 2007 9:44 PM:

" Thank you Moos,Curley and VanSession for destroying the CP republican party! Hope you are all happy today. "

KitKat 57 wrote on Nov 7, 2007 9:38 PM:

" Let's face it, Gayle was a poor sport when she lost the GOP primary in 2003. She burned a lot of bridges when she "disappeared" following the 2003 primary. Dan and other GOP folks returned the favor following Gayle's May 2007 victory. Karma, baby. "

Brian Wheeler wrote on Nov 7, 2007 8:32 PM:

" DAN KLEIN FOR MAYOR!!! "

Gayle’s Marketing Campaign was terrible!!! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 5:21 PM:

" A good example would be the large Gayle Yard signs in the Millennium Industrial Park. If you removed them, there are FOR SALE and FOR LEASE signs showing. If you removed those signs, there is majestic view of the corn fields or abandon buildings. I am so happy Uran won so we can stop this embarrassment of our Industrial Park. "

all of us who know the truth wrote on Nov 7, 2007 4:11 PM:

" Know that Gayle is the one with the experience and education to lead Crown Point. Not to mention her love of her "hometown" and the businesses she promotes/protects daily. I am ashamed of all those who didn't vote or who had their vote told to them because of Kleins loss in the primary. You don't know how much wrong you just did for the city in which you live. When did we become a town who believes perception more than substance????? "

Thanks for Being Honest Mr. Corbin!!! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 3:01 PM:

" Longtime Republican City Councilman Bob Corbin openly supported Uran was obviously a show of strength and courage. A politician who speaks with his heart rather than his party shows bravery. Thank You Mr. Corbin for being a man of integrity not a party hardliner. "

North Lake County Democrats Favors wrote on Nov 7, 2007 2:22 PM:

" For those citizens who are wondering what favors where given to the North Lake County Democrats for their support to Uran, the only request they asked was for Gayle to "just go to work at the chamber and stay there and do her thing," "

Keep an open mind Mayor-elect... wrote on Nov 7, 2007 2:09 PM:

" Congrats Mr. Uran on your victory. You ran an engergetic campaign to the very end. Sorry that some had to muddy the waters around you with smut about Gayle. Please learn from the clamity of Klein - don't burn bridges! There are a lot of good people CP that desperately wants ANYONE to listen to them and not be a dictator. Too much of that with Metros and Klein. Rise above it Dave - just be decent and maintain the proper humility and you'll keep this post for years to come. "

So Mr. Dave Uran wrote on Nov 7, 2007 1:12 PM:

" how many favors to we, the citizens of Crown Point, owe to all the north Lake County Democrats who supported you? "

Gayle is like a leap year!!! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 1:03 PM:

" In four years, she will be returning to politics. Gayle will do her best to undercut Mayor Uran's administration and then, she will show us that she can lose the mayoral election again. "

Cosmo wrote on Nov 7, 2007 11:44 AM:

" Congrats to Mr. Uran for winning. I hope you do an excellent job. What this election says the people of Crown Point want most is NOT Dan Klein or any associated with him. They didn't want him and it showed by him not even getting the nomination of his own party. Van Sessen was the Republican nominee and it seems the city held it against her. Uran won because he's ANYONE BUT KLEIN. I hope he does a good job. He couldn't do worse than Klein. Finally, why is it that less than 6,000 CP residents even bothered to vote? We, in CP, missed our chance to have a great mayor in Van Sessen. I truly believe that. I equally wish for Uran to have success and really do well FOR Crown Point. More of us have to care enough to vote though. "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Nov 7, 2007 10:15 AM:

" Although a democrat, it is a shame to see a very knowledgeable, well connected women with a great vision for Crown Point lose an election because of political biases and personal feelings. Gayle would have done a great job for city economic development while reserving the great hometown atmosphere the citizens have come to expect and enjoy. It is a shame that the taxpayers now have to pay a consultant to teach our new mayor how to run a city. I just hope it does not take him too long to realize how impossible it will be to implement some of his campaign promises. "

Holy Cow! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 9:33 AM:

" I believe the R's are definitely divided in CP, abd shame on whoever put out dirt on GVS! "

Brian wrote on Nov 7, 2007 8:50 AM:

" I just wanted to congratulate Dave on his win. He ran a great campaign and was clearly the right canidate for Crown Point's future. Good Luck!! "

Jack D. Rees, CLU wrote on Nov 7, 2007 8:20 AM:

" I have known Dave for many years. As a Police Officer, a fellow team-mate on an athletic team, and as a businessman he has conducted himself with dignity and fervor. I have no doubt that he will do the same as Mayor and prove to be one of the best in the history of our city. My congratulations to Dave and his family. I wish him well as he leads CP through this time of unprecedented growth. "

Excuses!!! Excuses!!! Reality Check!!! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 8:09 AM:

" Mayor Uran ran a better campaign!!! Also, Gayle failed in uniting her own Republican party. Gayle needs to take responsibility for her election lost and not blame everyone else. "

CP home owner wrote on Nov 7, 2007 7:49 AM:

" Once again Gayle blames someone else for her loss. Its not that CP doesn't want a female mayor they just don't want Gayle. "

Unbelieveable! wrote on Nov 7, 2007 6:40 AM:

" We are now in the control of a CUBS FAN!! WE ARE DOOMED!!!! :) As pure Sox fans, that is almost worse than the North Lake County political connections we are now doomed too! I do not want a sports complex, big box retailers on I 65 and ANY interchange and we do NOT need another convention center! They got to be kidding to think we can keep "small hometown" if all that mess is allowed in! Up with the farms! Down with "big city"! "

cpwinner wrote on Nov 7, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Great Job Dave!!! "

CP Citizen wrote on Nov 7, 2007 5:52 AM:

" How can Moos say there was no division of the Republican Party! A laugh early in the morning is what I needed! "

MPPS wrote on Nov 7, 2007 4:35 AM:

" Congratulations to Dave he ran a great campaign. Now, if you are in a position of influence in the Republican Party in Crown Point, please resign. Heck if you are in a position of influence in the Republican Party in Lake County, please resign. Crown Point Republicans had to work awfully hard to get Dave Uran elected Mayor. He did not win one vote at a time. How can you, the Reublican party big wigs, ever be trusted again? For shame. "

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