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.
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
'02 IN 07 Nom. Brose McVey (R): Now a lobbyist working on state and fed issues, considering a future bid for Congress.
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.
Indianapolis City Councilman Isaac Randolph (R): Founder of GOP African American outreach group. Rumored to be pondering a bid for State Sen.
State Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R): Youngest State Rep elected in '02, he's now in leadership. "Considered an up-and-comer in the House."
State Rep. Terri Austin (D): Could be a future down-ballot statewide candidate.
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."
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."
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.
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."
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.
And the ones to watch in the future:
Jen Hallowell: The incoming IN GOP exec. dir., she "will make a name for herself."
Sec/State Todd Rikita (R): He's a "likely candidate for some other offices."
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
i win to court and mother inlaw got gar of my daughter and the judge wood not give me a d.m.a test. i want my daughter
i win to court and mother inlaw got gar of my daughter and the judge wood not give me a d.m.a test. i want my daughter