| The blogosphere is buzzing today with speculation regarding what may (or may not) be going on as we move toward the yet-to-be-announced 7th District special election in March. (Abdul says keep an eye out for either the 4th or 11th.)
Brian Howey notes that despite there being no shortage of names thrown around by supporters in both parties, there are only two candidates who have officially filed to run for the seat held by the late Julia Carson. State Reps. Jon Elrod (R) and David Orentlicher (D) have both signaled their intentions with the FEC, but it still isn't clear what support the two enjoy from Marion County officials in their respective parties. Equally unclear is whether the two will be running for the seat during the caucus selection process -- both parties are expected to have their slatings by the middle of next month -- or whether they will forgo this with an eye toward the May primary election.
Outside of these two, not much has solidified beyond whispered rumors and arguably wild speculation. Andre Carson received vocal support from numerous individuals at the ceremony for his grandmother, but any maneuvering on his behalf has largely been kept out of public view.
Jerame over at Bilerico writes this morning about the rumored candidacy of Rep. Carolene Mays, and the problematic relationship she has had with the GLBT community. Needless to say, she will have some questions to answer should she emerge as an option. On paper, Carolene Mays looks like the perfect replacement for Julia. Mays is the president and publisher of the Indianapolis Recorder, the paper of record for the African-American community in Indianapolis. She is a 3 term Indiana State Representative. She serves (or has served) on numerous non-profit and foundation boards. She's won numerous awards for service and she's even a member of the same church Julia attended.
The area she falls most short of Julia is her support of LGBT Hoosiers. As a State Representative, Carolene Mays voted in favor of SJR-7, the Indiana Constitutional Amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Mays has never disavowed her support of the marriage amendment - an amendment Julia spoke against often - and she has shown no indication she would change her vote if it came before her again. On the GOP side of things, the lack of initial vocal support for Jon Elrod seems to imply that there is room for movement by someone. Who that might be isn't very clear.
In conclusion: The only thing we know is that we don't know much. At least not yet. Expect the next few weeks to reveal a lot, but with the potentially contentious special election season giving way to a May primary, things may not shake out for months.
For you Indy folks with your ear to the ground, what are you hearing? |
