Back to the Future
I originally wrote this blog post the day after the 2006 primary. I thought it was pretty interesting and worthy of re-posting. Back then Indiana had 19% turnout for the election. I find it fascinating that the more things change, the more they tend to stay the same.
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What a difference a day makes, or in the case of the Indiana Primary, 10 weeks or 36 years makes. 36 years was how long Senate Pro Tempore Bob Garton will have served in Office when he steps down later this year after losing to challenger Greg Walker. Ten weeks is how long 7th Congressional Candidate Eric Dickerson ran his primary campaign. In a way the elections involving both men signify some interesting dynamics in the changing face of Indiana politics. My basic thought is this, when Hoosiers vote against incumbents, they vote for change. And they vote for change, something is really f*&^%$# up.
I wrote on these pages a while back that I couldn’t predict the election’s outcome, but nothing would surprise me. I am not surprised. Garton’s refusal to go after his opponent and, more importantly, refusal to give up the “free” health care benefit were his downfall. Walker tapped into a very simple theme of change. The 1970 vehicle he drove around in, didn’t hurt either.
Dickerson campaigned in his “RV” going from door to door. Franklin spent a lot of time going to party functions. What’s interesting about the 7th Congressional District is that Dickerson may be the GOP’s best hope in getting Julia Carson’s seat. Unlike previous opponents, Andy Horning and Marvin Scott, Dickerson is not an ideologue and he can connect with regular people whether they live in Meridian-Kessler or 25th and Central. Being able to make that connection may make a major difference. He also has a healthy respect for his opponent, unlike his predecessors.
I can also argue that the Republican establishment is probably doing a serious post-mortem on Marion County to find out what happened with some of their establishment candidates.
I am least surprised at Perry Township Jack Sandlin’s loss to former Beech Grove firefighter Gary Koons. Sandlin was the victim of overconfidence and underestimating how much he was disliked. The firefighters who opposed him were organized and mad, two things not wanted in opposition.
Hamilton County Prosecutor managed to hold on to her office by her pantyhose by beating challenger Paul Felix by 140 votes, by latest reports. I think this was a wake-up call for Leerkamp. To be in office for more than 10 years and almost loose by to an upstart, shows something “ain’t right” in the HC.
What this election does go to show that 1) If you’re an incumbent, be afraid if you have a credible challenger. 2) If you’re a credible challenger, feel inspired. 3) If you’re the voter, don’t think your vote doesn’t matter. 600 people changed the course of Indiana politics for next decade or so.
