First-term state Rep. Jon Elrod will announce Thursday that he’ll run for U.S. Rep. Julia Carson’s 7th District congressional seat next year, his spokesman said.Elrod, an Indianapolis Republican who defeated incumbent Ed Mahern in state representative district 97 last year, will make Thursday’s announcement at noon, his spokesman said.
Elrod confirmed to 6News he planned to announce something Thursday but declined to say what that would be. However, his spokesman Kyle Kasting said Elrod would announce he is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat held by Carson, a Democrat.
As a frosh state representative, it remains to be seen how formidable Elrod would be in a general election match-up. However, a state legislator from a Dem-leaning district is a pretty decent recruitment score for the Indiana GOP.
As we’ve said before, this seat is only vulnerable because of Carson’s health issues and her sagging electoral performance as of late. With a stronger Dem on the ballot — and, I have to presume, the party’s Indianapolis bench must be fairly deep — this district (which gave Kerry 58% of its vote in ’04) should be an easier hold.
One possible scenario is that Carson will retire after the deadline, and allow the nomination to be given to her grandson, newly-elected city councilor André Carson. I think a primary would be a much healthier option, though.
(H/T: Blue Indiana)
Indiana Republicans have hope for a hopeless cause to throw money at. They can forget about their GOVERNOR’S race in 2008. His lackluster approvals are sweet for us to at least take a shot at.
MMM and the Republican-controlled General Assembly of yesteryear were the main culprits, but Daniels has done an excellent job of shifting some of the blame to local governments my vilifying their spending habits. (You know, on schools and things…)
Anyway, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson was facing mounting criticism due to the crime wave in the city, and he pushed through an increase of the county income tax to bolster the police force. Unfortunately, he did so on the heels of property tax bills hitting the city, with some neighborhoods facing average jumps of well over 200%.
Cue the anti-incumbent mood in Indy.
Democrats actually had a net increase across the state, though. (+2)
MMM won’t benefit from this in the long run, but Peterson’s loss was a blow to the Indy Dems.