South Bend Common Council enters into a minority led, female majority era

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - It was a big win for Democrats last night, including the South Bend Common Council, producing a now minority-led, female majority council. 

Sherry Bolden-Simpson managed to flip the historically Republican fifth district, which hasn't elected a democrat since the 1960s.

In a narrow win, the newly elected councilmember, who previously worked in South Bend schools as a teacher and principal for 37 years, narrowly won against incumbent Eli Wax, 51 percent to 49 percent.

Come January, Bolden-Simpson will take office to succeed Eli Wax, who lost his bid for his first full term, after three years on the council.

Bolden-Simpson adds that she’s looking forward to working with fellow female leaders.

“We have an opportunity to show the world what we can do," she said confidently. "We can work together. I have been in six positions where it was majority female and we worked beautifully together. We can get things done.

The newly elected council members will assume office January 1.