Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Rumors Fly About Howard Senate Seat

Advance Indiana is picking up rumors that Sen. Glenn Howard (D-Indianapolis), who has missed the entire legislative session to date this year due to an undisclosed illness, will not be filing for re-election. State Rep. Carolene Mays (D-Indianapolis), who earlier launched a bid for the 7th District Democratic congressional seat of the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson, will abandon those efforts and run for Howard's seat according to a source. City-County Councilor Cherrish Pryor, who was just elected to the council after being appointed to fill the vacancy of former CCC member Greg Bowes last year, has already filed to run for Mays' House District 94 seat. Speculation is that the Center Township Democrats are trying to keep the public in the dark as to Howard's intentions in order to prevent others from entering the race. State Rep. David Orentlicher is so far the only Democrat who has filed to challenge Andre Carson in the 7th District race.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Musical chairs.

Wilson46201 said...

With possibly an "open seat" in Senate District #33, surely many, many Republicans are clamoring to file there? Too bad Jocelyn Tandy, Avachino Reeves and Darla Williams are Eastsiders...

Anonymous said...

Why would Carolene Mays want to go over to the Senate where Democrats have zero power? She had a safe seat. She doesn't think she can take a primary challenge? Strange.

Eclecticvibe said...

With her voting record, Carolene Mays will feel right at home with the Republicans in the Senate. Ms. Mays has consistently voted against LGBT rights and a woman's right to chose. I think the better question is why she feels more at home as a Democrat than Republican.

Anonymous said...

Mays probably feels more comfy with the senate repubs given her voting record. Please someone else run for Howard's seat!!!

Anonymous said...

mays and prior need to stop thinking about their next career move and focus on the plight of lafayette square and 38th street. that is the main artery of their respective districts. while in decline for some time, it is alarming how many businesses have left in the past year. a once vibrant retail and dining area is pretty much on a death spiral. it's not just sad, it's eroding the tax base. i have never heard either one of them address this or propose a plan.

Anonymous said...

Maybe newly appointed IPS Board member, Leroy Robinson will decide to run for Cherrish Pryor's District 7 seat. He did run against her in last year's Democratic primary.

Anonymous said...

'focus on the plight of lafayette square and 38th street'

What? Super Walmart just moved in to save the day!

Anonymous said...

Mays is nothing but a republican and will receive no support for this or any other Dem seat...her family cant buy it for her.

Anonymous said...

Cherrish Pryor can barely handle her council duties. She's almost in over her head.

And Carolene Mays can kiss my aging flabby Dem arse if she thinks she'll get my vote for anything again. Vibe had it absolutely right: she is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and not very smart politically, to boot.

Why can't we Democrats resign from office with dignity when we get too infirmed to serve? Certainly, elected officeholders are entitled to some sick leave. It's only humane. But we seem to have expanded all norms in that category, for what? To hold onto a good parking spot and the salary?

Shameful.

And while we're at it...how about a private sector Democrat, insetad of yet another public-sector trough feeder?

Anonymous said...

Gary - typically your reporting has merit and your sources typically pan out. However, could not be more wrong on this one. Rep. Mays will not be a candidate for Sen. Howards Senate seat. Period. As far as her voting record goes; I think it is time for people to move past SJR 7...remember, it is already illegal for a man to marry a man or for a women to marry a women. Look at the roll call when DOMA passed - where is the hatred for the Dems who voted for that? The fact is, Rep. Mays has more in common with LGBT community than differences; i.e., she supports domestic partnerships, extension of benefits, repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. And no matter what Billie Breaux tells you, Rep. Mays is and has always been pro-life - even more so that 80% of her colleagues in the House. As far as revitalizing Lafayette Road - please tell me another elected official who has done more for the area. Do you yourself a favor and visit the annual job fair she hosts at Lafayette Mall. Look at the legislation she has carried to provide incentives for businesses to stay / relocate to the area. The House Dems lost the majority in 2004 over SJR7 - it will never pass if they are in the majority. If Rep. Mays were to lose her House seat to a Republican and the House was 50 / 50 - guess what, SJR 7 passes...by the way, Rep. Mays can beat anyone in a primary in her district, no matter what Lettie Oliver will tell you.

Anonymous said...

If a Republican won her seat, they would vote no differently on SJR7 than Mays did. House majority would make a difference, you are right.

Bias crimes might be another story.

Bigots will have to suck it up and deal with their own legacy and political fate.


We all remember good ole Strom Thurman don't we? No matter what good the man did in his life, what was remembered was his bigotry and hypocrisy.

Mays voted in favor of SJR7 because of her "faith". Religion is never a good reason to discriminate....many Klan members were "good Christians"....

Anonymous said...

Has anyone read the new congressional candidate for the seventh district? If not check out www.buildingourcommunity.blogspot.com. Very interesting piece.

Anonymous said...

Look at past voting results...no republican is going to win Carolene Mqy's house district...she is the closest thing to a republican that could win and she would never again if it had not been purchased for her by her family.

Anonymous said...

7:59, or Mr. Carolene Mays, whomever you are:

I've watched Rep., Mays for quite some time from inside the party. One thing that always surprises me, is the many volunteers she turns out for events. SOmehow she has minions willing to do her bidding.

But here's the thing: I've talked to several. At the Congressional caucus recently, she had more volunteers there than anyone. Not one person In talked to knew one thing about her voting record. On anything.

Which is kinda cultish and scary, actually.

Her voting record is not worthy of re-election. At some point good Democrats have to think there's someone in that district who votes more in line with the party and her constituents. Her record, on multiple issues, is pathetic. Having the majority is important to me, because as icky as Speaker Bauer is, Speaker Bosma is just creepy.

Job fairs and make-good promises alone are not sufficient for election to high public office.

Anyone who votes solely on faith needs to be ousted. It represents a horrid lack of perspective. That goes for any one faith.