I was looking for some other information when I stumbled upon a January 2006 Hotline Article worth reading. It's a list of "people to watch" here in Indiana. It's awfully entertaining now that we have a chance to look back. My comments below italicized:
As with CO, IN features a very strong, very popular Dem mayor who's considering a bid for Gov. But unlike CO, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson (D) will have to face an incumbent GOPer, Gov. Mitch Daniels, should he decide to make the race in '08. Several '06 races involving some of our stars will pit Peterson proteges against their Daniels counterparts in what are seen as preliminary surrogate battles, and while GOPers have lost ground in Marion Co., the state's largest, they're gaining elsewhere. The results of the surrogate wars could determine the outcome of IN for a long time to come. [REID WILSON]
The stars we've been watching since '03:
Marion Co. Prosecutor Carl Brizzi (R): Running for re-election in '06. "Universally considered the last great hope for" GOPers "in Marion Co." Thinking about running for Mayor in '07. He won, but may now be WISHING he ran for Mayor. Not made 2010 intentions known, except the announcement that he's NOT running for Congress in the 5th.
Ex-Public Works Dir. Linda Buskirk (R): Lost a mayoral bid in Ft. Wayne, now back in the private sector.
Lafayette City Clerk Lisa Decker (R): "Would be considered a potential cabinet head," Decker lost a bid for mayor in '03.
State Rep. Steven Heim (R): Potential candidate for higher office. He lost.
'02 IN 07 Nom. Brose McVey (R): Now a lobbyist working on state and fed issues, considering a future bid for Congress. Now running for Congress, but not against a Democrat.
State Rep. Luke Messer (R): Former exec. dir. of the IN GOP. Decided not to run for re-election in '06 in order to focus on family and the private sector. Apparently now more focused on landing the 3rd most Republican Congressional seat in the US.
Indianapolis City Councilman Isaac Randolph (R): Founder of GOP African American outreach group. Rumored to be pondering a bid for State Sen. Lost to now Sen. Delph despite endorsements from who's who of Republican Party.
State Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R): Youngest State Rep elected in '02, he's now in leadership. "Considered an up-and-comer in the House." Now a Senator planning a bid for US Senate.
State Rep. Terri Austin (D): Could be a future down-ballot statewide candidate. Would have to ask Pat Bauer for permission.
Lake Co. Sheriff Roy Dominguez (D): May face a primary challenge in his re-election bid, which in Lake Co. is not uncommon, but "I could see him moving up." Is considering a run for Governor which may pit Lake County vs. Evansville. Would be VERY interesting to watch.
Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson (D): Will most likely mount a bid for Gov. in '08, and is the "odds-on guy that most Dems would like to see run." Oops. Raising taxes and high crime rate not good strategy for statewide run- or for re-election.
Ex-Indianapolis Dep Mayor Melina Kennedy (D): Currently running for Marion Co. Prosecutor. The race is seen as a proxy war between IN Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) and Peterson. If it was a proxy war Mitch Daniels won- big.
Ex-IN DoT Commis. Bryan Nicol (D): Now working in the private sector in CO, Nicol, some feel, has been made the "whipping boy" by the Daniels admin for problems that aren't his fault.
Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel (D): A State Rep. back in '03, there's "no question that he is a rising star." "Certainly a statewide player." Lots and lots of rumors that he'll run for Governor 2012. The other half of the Lake County vs. Evansville Primary. Wonder where Dan Parker will stand on this one? His help didn't do much for Schellinger.
State Rep. Peggy Welch (D): A member of the conservative wing of the party, her biggest challenge, many feel, would be getting through a primary. She's considered statewide bids before, however. Best news for Indiana HRCC would be for Welch to move on to another office and open up that competitive seat (it used to be held by a Republican). I'll start the Draft Welch for SOS campaign today.
And the ones to watch in the future:
Jen Hallowell: The incoming IN GOP exec. dir., she "will make a name for herself." Has done so and is back in Indiana running a bunch of campaigns. Considered sort of THE GOP consultant in Indiana. I'm jealous.
Sec/State Todd Rokita (R): He's a "likely candidate for some other offices." He's not made 2010 or 2012 intentions known. Has worked the party circuit extensively.
Kokomo Mayor Matt McKillip (R): "A real up-and-comer," just one year into the first term of his first elected office, McKillip serves on the Nat'l League of Cities' Information Tecnology and Communications cmte. Defeated in a Primary in 2007. One of the most unpopular men in Kokomo.
Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea (R): Considered an underdog in both the primary and general elections, Ray came from behind to win both races and become the youngest mayor in city history. He's described very politically savvy. Many want him to run for Congress in 2010. I wonder if he's in Indiana's 5th STATE legislative district? Would be a good candidate to take on and defeat Craig Fry.
Indianapolis Dep Mayor Steve Campbell (D): Former Bayh and Peterson staffer, he's "someone to watch for statewide office" in the future. "He's a comer." After his bosses crushing defeat this somehow doesn't look as plausible.
Vandenburg Co. Sheriff Brad Ellsworth (D): Possibly the hottest IN-based politician right now. Running against Rep. Jeff Hostettler (R) in IN 08, he'll be "on the list for" Gov. or Sen. "down the road." Ellsworth is still formidable. Could run for Governor or Senator if opening appears.
Hammdon Mayor Tom McDermott (D): "Nice looking, well-spoken, very dynamic." "Very aggressive, sharp." Currently teaches a political science class at Purdue Univ. at Calumet.
Ex-LG Cathy Davis (D): "I don't think we've seen her for the last time yet." Even out of office, she remains the "leading" Dem "woman in the state."
