V24, N23 Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 Horse Race: Mayoral battles set Rematches in Jeffersonville, Anderson; crowded primaries in Muncie, Gary, South Bend By BRIAN A. HOWEY KOKOMO – Almost 120 Hoosier cities will Mayoral re- be electing mayors this year, with intense open matches include seat primaries taking shape in South Bend, Ko- Jeffersonville komo, Muncie, Noblesville Mayor Mike Moore and Elkhart. (far left) taking Democratic on Democrat Tom mayors Tom Henry of Fort Galligan (left), Wayne and Joe Hogsett of while in Anderson Indianapolis are seeking Kevin Smith is to protect the only seri- challenging Mayor ous power base remaining for their party. Hogsett Tom Broderick. is likely to face State Sen. Jim Merritt, while Fort Wayne Councilman John Crawford is a likely chal- will be seeking to burnish their credentials with milestone lenger to Mayor Henry, though the councilman will have to reelection bids. McDermott, Winnecke and Roswarski are fend off a primary challenge from business executive Tim not expected to be credibly challenged, with no opponents Smith. filing in Hammond and Evansville. And Mayors Thomas McDermott of Hammond, There could be fireworks in East Chicago, where Tony Roswarski of Lafayette, Duke Bennett in Terre Haute, Continued on page 3 Jim Brainard in Carmel and Lloyd Winnecke in Evansville Mayor Pete’s home base By JACK COLWELL SOUTH BEND – How South Bend Mayor Pete But- tigieg would fare in the 2020 Democratic presidential pri- mary in Indiana is uncertain. Voters in Iowa, New Hamp- shire and other states will determine before then whether “As someone who has always he is a viable contender. But one thing is certain: Buttigieg, said teachers MUST have a seat if still an active candidate when Hoosier Democrats vote, would at the table, this is SO disap- run away with the primary vote pointing to read.” in his home area. That was demonstrated - Democrat John Gregg, by the enthusiastic response for reacting to a story that the mayor this week at the first book signing for “Shortest Way there are no teachers on Home: One Mayor’s Challenge Gov. Holcomb’s teacher and a Model for America’s Fu- ture.” pay commission. Page 2 A capacity crowd of 800 the primary by his endorsed candidate packed the Great Hall of Century would keep Buttigieg from carrying Center to hear the mayor and buy his the area overwhelmingly if he is a via- book. They applauded long and loud ble presidential primary contender. But when the moderator for a conversa- if the mayor’s choice loses, it would be tion about the book mentioned his noted in evaluations nationally. presidential prospects. There also is danger that The most significant sign backers of some of the other mayoral of enthusiasm for Buttigieg was the nomination candidates not endorsed willingness of those who bought the could be less enthusiastic in support Howey Politics Indiana book to wait in line for up two and a of Buttigieg. WWHowey Media, LLC half hours to have the mayor sign it. The mayor clearly regards 405 Massachusetts Ave., Attendees all bought the Mueller as the person he would like Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN book. They had to in order to attend. to see carry on his work in South The price of admission was $30, same Bend. Mueller, 36, was part of the city 46204 as the price of the book, and every- administration until leaving to devote www.howeypolitics.com body attending was handed a copy. full time to the mayoral campaign. Actually, sales topped atten- He, like Buttigieg, is intellectual – has Brian A. Howey, Publisher dance. Many bought a doctorate – and is a Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington additional books. South Bend native who The fondness came home and serves in Cam Carter, copy editor for the mayor in his city government. Joel Weyrauch, copy editor home area also was They were in the Mary Lou Howey, Editor shown by frequent same class at St. Joseph Jacob Curry, Statehouse applause as he talked High School in South Jack Howey, editor emeritus of the stories in the Bend. Mueller is no sure book about South bet for mayor, no doubt Bend and about him- a reason that Buttigieg Subscriptions self. decided to make the HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 “I hope that endorsement rather than the book gives an just help Mueller behind HPI Weekly, $350 understanding not the scenes, as he had Ray Volpe, Account Manager just of me but of our been doing. 317.602.3620 community, of our With Mueller lacking email: [email protected] city, of what it’s been in name recognition at through and of where it’s headed,” the start of the campaign, there was Buttigieg said. Where he sees it no consensus frontrunner. Former St. Contact HPI headed – and describes that in his ap- Joseph County Democratic Chairman [email protected] pearances around the country and on Jason Critchlow appeared to be off to Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 national TV – is one of reasons for his the best start in the mayoral nomina- local popularity. South Bend area resi- tion race in terms of early organizing. Washington: 202.256.5822 dents like to hear the city, in the past Now Mueller has enhanced name Business Office: 317.602.3620 described as dying, described now as recognition, recognized as the mayor’s vigorous and growing. choice to carry on his programs. © 2019, Howey Politics His popularity will be tested It is certain that Buttigieg is Indiana. All rights reserved. in the upcoming mayoral primary. popular in South Bend. Very popu- Buttigieg this week endorsed James lar. It will be interesting to see if the Photocopying, Internet forward- Mueller, his former chief of staff, for throngs who waited for up to two and ing, faxing or reproducing in the Democratic nomination for mayor a half hours for him to sign copies of any form, whole or part, is a in a nine-candidate race. his books will now sign on to the can- violation of federal law without It’s hard to transfer popular- didacy of his choice as the next mayor. permission from the publisher. ity. That’s been shown time and again. v Endorsements by a popular political figure often seem to have little effect Colwell has covered Indiana with voters. politics over five decades for the There is some risk for But- South Bend Tribune. tigieg. Not to the extent that a loss in Page 3 and Pete Stinson had filed Republican declarations of Mayors, from page 1 candidacy for the office of mayor of Auburn (KPC News). former legislator John Aguilera is challenging Mayor An- Yoder ran unopposed in 2015. thony Copeland in the wake of the lead-poisoning crisis there, while Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is facing Batesville: Bettice seeks reelection a challenge from Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Republican Mayor Michael Bettice is seeking Barge. another term. It is unclear if he has an opponent. 2015 This year brings a passing of the torch, as three- Results: Bettice (R) 1,363, Vonderheide (D) 452. term Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight and six-term Mayor Ted Ellis of Bluffton decided to retire. The presidential Bedford: Girgis not running candidacy of South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and the Three-term independent Mayor Shawna Girgis retirement of Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler have kicked off announced she would not seek a fourth term. Former sprawling Democratic primaries in both of those cities. Lawrence County Sheriff Sam Craig, who currently serves In Anderson, Jeffersonville and Elkhart, former as the city of Bedford’s director of administrative services, mayors Kevin Smith, Tom Galligan and Dave Miller are is seeking the GOP nomination. Prior to serving as sheriff attempting comebacks. It will be a rematch for Smith and for two terms, Craig attained the rank of major and served Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick, while Miller has been as the detective commander for the Bedford Police Depart- out of office for a dozen years. Galligan was defeated by ment. He also serves as president of the Lawrence County Republican Mike Moore in 2011. First term Elkhart Mayor Council. 2015 Results: Girgis (I) 1,483, Bough (R) 760. Tim Neese’s decision not to seek another term due to a police scandal there has given Miller a comeback route Bloomington: Barge challenges Hamilton following his primary upset to Democrat Dick Moore, who Mayor John Hamilton faces a primary challenge then lost to Neese. If Miller emerges from the primary, he from Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge. In will likely face former Northwestern University basketball announcing his reelection bid, Hamilton said, “I’m very star and councilman Rod Roberson. proud of where our community is going, and where we One troubling trendline for this cycle is the lack of have come from, and where we’re local media coverage of mayoral races. While some of this working, where it’s happening” report comes from local reporting, much of it has been (Indiana Daily Student). Hamilton pieced together via HPI sources and social media. Local told the crowd he first decided to candidates are urged to add HPI to your media lists as we run for mayor in 2015 to improve will be the only media source monitoring races statewide. jobs, enhance affordable housing Parties without nominees have until June 30 to and make Bloomington govern- field candidates via caucus. The general election will be ment more transparent. Hamilton Nov. 5. won the 2015 election with 77% Here is HPI’s mayoral race rundown: of the vote against Republican John Turnbull. In kicking off her Anderson: Smith rematch with Broderick candidacy, Barge said, “Bloomington deserves a mayor For the sixth consecutive municipal election cycle, who will listen, learn, and lead, in that order,” said Barge.