Will Charlie White try again?
The County Line
Some might ask, why would anyone want to be the chairman of a political party in Hamilton County?
It’s a rather thankless job, it offers no salary, and people can get mad at you if they don’t get what they want.
But, fortunately some want the job. Fortunate because good leadership is needed in our political parties to keep our system of government working, and this year the parties will choose their leadership for the next four years.
As reported here last week, the Democrats have a contest for county chairman shaping up between Kevin Patterson, Carmel, and Dayna Colbert, Fishers.
Republicans may also be looking at a contest, although possible candidates other than incumbent Laura Campbell are not saying anything yet.
Campbell, who indicates she is proud of her organization’s success in the past election, will seek a new term when party reorganization is held March 6.
A couple of names of potential opponents have been reported by Abdul Shabazz in his periodic newsletter The Cheat Sheet earlier in the winter.
He says he’s heard “on very good authority” that former chairman Charlie White might make a comeback bid in the reorganization. Also mentioned as a possible candidate is Troy Woodruff, a former state legislator now living in Fishers.
Shabazz, an attorney and Indianapolis radio personality, knows his Indiana politics and predicts “a very interesting year in Hamilton County” politics.
But, anyone serious about seeking party leadership positions will need to make plans known soon because running in a reorganization caucus involves contacting as many as possible of the 220 precinct committeemen to seek support.
So, it is possible that both parties may have contests, something that has rarely happened locally. Republicans will meet ‘in person’ while Democrats will make their selection by mail for the first time.