Indiana Pundit

 

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Mayoral Potentials - Part II

Yesterday I covered the names of Republicans who are rumored to be interested in the mayor's office in Fort Wayne. Now I'll cover the Democrats who have an interest.

First off, it doesn't matter who else wants it as long Grahm Richard wants to keep it. Should he decide to re-run there will not be any other contenders except maybe David Roach.

Graham Richard - There has been speculation as to whether Graham Richard will attempt to keep his job and seek a 3rd term. He seems to try and not commit to running in next year's election. This is because he is keeping a close watch on Evan Bayh's bid for President. Should that campaign appear to gain the neccessary momentum to make him a top challenger then Graham may hitch himself to that bandwagon in the hopes of getting a cabinet job. Should that campaign appear to be middle of the pack then he will probably run for mayor again.

Other factors causing Graham to question a re-run is the political makeup of the city after the most recent annexations. Aboite is heavily Republican and has some of the highest turnout in the county. It may be a lot more of a fight than he wants to put forth.

As an incumbent he has some inherent advantages, he also has the support of his base and is the strongest fundraiser in the Democratic Party. His most notable weakness is the memo that was leaked concerning his office' interest in annexing more of Perry township.

John Shoaff - Shoaff is most known for his advocacy of the city's park system. That and the park named for his ancestor. He's intelligent and well-spoken but has not been a visible or dominant member of the city council. John Crawford, Sam Talarico, and fellow Democrat Tim Pape are often overshadowing him.

While he would get his party's full support should he be their candidate, I question whether he can get enough independents and crossover Republicans to win.

Geoff Paddock - He has the charisma and public service record that could serve his purposes as a candidate. He is currently on the FWCS board of trustees in an elected position. The fact that it is non-partisan position is important as it gives him credibility with voters who would normally just look the other way depending on party lines. He also has strong funding capabilities as seen in his unsuccessfu bid to succeed Ben GiaQuinta.

The only major weaknesses he exhibits are related to his recent primary loss. That loss may make some in his party question his viability in a larger race. It also may play head games with his self-confidence and desire to attain the post.


The Democrats can do nothing until Graham decides what he wants to do. If he runs its his. Should he decide to go elsewhere then it could be a fight.

26 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about Pape? What about Hayhurst following a loss to Souder?

Here's a good one. How about Pat Love? Ha Ha

11:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hayhurst?

12:37 PM  
Blogger Indiana Pundit said...

I didn't include him because he's currently runnung for Congress and is thus concentrating on that race. If he's remotely thinking about running for mayor then Souder has him beat.

12:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hayhurst is running for mayor, currently.

That is his real plan, and his congressional bid is just a political move to get him closer to that.

2:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lebamoff was the Democratic Party chairman when he ran for Mayor and won.

How many of you think the current Democratic chairman Kevin Knuth would make an outstanding candidate for Mayor?

I think I know the answer but wondered if anyone wants to comment.

8:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Someone mentioned Rusty York a few weeks ago.

8:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lebamoff, perhaps, was the exception that proves the rule (or else you might say that what worked in the early 70's won't work today)....I don't see either a Kevin Knuth or a Steve Shine as people who are likely to become Mayor.

12:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First-I have ZERO interest in being Mayor.

Second- I think that times have changed. Politics are MUCH more polarizing now than they were 30 years ago. I seriously doubt that anyone closely aligned with the operation of a party (such as Steve Shine or myself) could be elected to anything higher than dog catcher.

Also, I will admit, after being Chairman and having to concentrate on the "business" side of politics, I have little to no desire to seek elected office.

2:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Hayhurst is running for mayor, currently.

That is his real plan, and his congressional bid is just a political move to get him closer to that.


That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard.

9:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The public has zero interest in seeing you as Mayor.

Don't flatter yourself by comparing yourself to Steve Shine. He's got a lot more on the ball.

10:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder if anonymous would care to re-think that comment after today's news...

12:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Steve Shine has more on the ball than Knuth?

Let's see....

the ACRP has had the following problems this year:

1. Accepting illegal campaign contributions.
2. Filing inaccurate campaign finance reports.
3. "missing" a deadline to file candidates- but then being allowed to file them anyway.

AND- to add to their misery:

1. The Dems had more people run for Precinct positions than the GOP- that has not happened in DECADES!

2. The ACDP had more attendees to their state convention- again that has not happened before.

Steve may have more on his plate- but Knuth is clearly more on the ball.

9:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you're interested, maybe someone from the Republican party can forge Shine's signature onto his candidacy form...

12:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What kind of ball? A cheeseball?

By the way, the reason the Democrat party proportionatey filled a greater percent of their delegate positions is because the state democrats have drastically cut down the number of delegates.

This year the state Demo convention was held at a hotel function room - not a convention center. With a trend like that next time it will probably be held in a hotel room and the time after that a phone booth.

1:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel compelled to respond.

"By the way, the reason the Democrat party proportionatey filled a greater percent of their delegate positions is because the state democrats have drastically cut down the number of delegates."

There is no percentage at work here- we simply had MORE attendees from Allen County then the ACRP did....PERIOD.

9:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about Tim Pape for Mayor?

10:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You do have your compulsions.

7:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And the Allen County Democrats have fewer county candidates on the ballot than in decades.

7:46 AM  
Blogger Indiana Pundit said...

Pape is too polarizing to be a viable candidate.

10:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do not think we have fewer...but all of our signed their own forms!

5:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, Kevbo -

Just why do you think politics are more polarizing? Could it be because of people like you who throw negative stuff out the window instead of trying to give positive visions?

6:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear 5:43,

You want positive vision? How about the County Sheriff's dept working closely with the City and being located in the same building to increase communication among law enforcementand provide better service to the public? Or do you prefer "we're going our own way because we've always done it that way?" How about increasing access to health coverage for all Americans rather than just those who are lucky or rich? How about better serving our veterans rather than only returning their phone calls when it becomes apparent that it's a political issue?

7:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous-

First, I believe politics are more polarizing mainly due to the fact that there is no longer a "fairness doctrine" in broadcast news.

There is the famous poll taken in 2003 that showed 60% of people who get their news from Fox News believed at least ONE of the following:

That evidence of links between Iraq and al Qaeda had been found, that weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, and that world public opinion favored the US going to war with Iraq.

now for your comment about "negative stuff".

Asking the ACRP to follow the laws guiding campaign finance is "negative"?

Pointing out that the ACRP lied on campaign finance reports is "negative"?

Asking for information that is PUBLIC RECORD and whose release is REQUIRED BY LAW is being "negative"?

Here is my positive vision- A political system where BOTH sides play by the rules. I am working everyday to reach that goal.

1:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ah, nothing like getting lectured from a negative anonymous poster about being too negative.

Pot, meet kettle...

7:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Uh, Kevin -

Who do you have running for Auditor? Or County Clerk? Or County Council?

The Democrat ballot could be compared to Swiss cheese but that would be an insult to Swiss cheese.

9:26 PM  
Blogger Indiana Pundit said...

Lets all simmer down a bit. I think we're all getting a bit too wound up.

11:12 PM  

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