Which Fort Waynians made Brian Howey's "Indiana's Top 50 Most Influential" list?
CFW provides you with the late, breaking list below.
Source: www.howeypolitics.com
4. Senate President Pro Tempore David Long: The tall Fort Wayne sycamore turned in a gracious and inclusive first year of power, in which the face of the Senate went from grizzled old white men to a new generation that gave women seats at the table. This year, President Long is on a tightrope, seeking to balance the goals of the Daniels administration from a restive conservative wing of his own caucus seeking a more radical course. If you read this on Thursday afternoon, the Senate Majority Caucus will be making a fateful decision on whether SJR-8 gets out of Senate Rules for a vote. If it's killed, he'll have to weather the populist storm in the coming days. Could the snuffing ignite an Eric MIller candidacy for governor? Or endanger Senate incumbents? If it hits the Senate floor, the repeal will probably pass, multiple sources tell us. If Long emerges in March or April with good reviews and power intact, he becomes a giant beyond his own physical stature. In 2009, we see him as perfectly placed to help install the thrust of the Kernan-Shepard reforms. Should Long emerge from the 2009 long-session this highly regarded, he ends up on our short list as we head into a post-Daniels era.
25. U.S. Rep. Mark Souder: When the GOP was in control of the House, Souder was often a central figure in shaping and promoting conservatives' social policy positions. In the minority, he is relegated to criticizing what he sees as the Democratic drift. But his arguments - in some cases his harangues - in the House Education and Labor Committee outline the primary lines of attack that the GOP pursue against the majority. He also continues to be one of the most political savvy pols in Indiana. He'll need to use all his skills this year in what could be one of his closest races yet. He's raising money earlier than he ever has.
41. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry: He preserves a three-term lock on city hall in an election many believed would go to the Republicans due to the heavily GOP annexed areas. But establishment favorite Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters lost the primary to Matt Kelty, who went on to self-destruct in ways we've never seen before, ultimately facing a 9-count indictment on finance and perjury counts. Henry didn't have to say a bad thing about Kelty, and the two even praised each other during debates. So Henry, who was a late entry into this race, now leads Indiana's second largest city. It's a scenario no one would have predicted a year ago.
Honorable Mention
State Rep. Randy Borror: Beyond House leadership, we see Borror as a House Republican with real substance and potential. We could see him as a future mayor of Fort Wayne, in Congress, or on a state ticket some day.
Fort Wayne Councilman Mitch Harper: After serving more than a decade in the Indiana House, Harper won a council seat in 2007 and will be well positioned if and when Rep. Mark Souder decides to retire.
Paul Helmke: The former Fort Wayne mayor now heads the Brady gun control organization.
State Rep. Winfield Moses Jr.: One of the more thoughtful and seasoned voices among House Democrats. We hope there's a leadership position in his future some day.
Michael Montagano: The 3rd CD Democrat posted credible numbers last July and has spurred U.S. Rep. Mark Souder to uncharacteristically pick up his fund raising. If people are talking about Montagano next October, it's an indicator there's a Democratic wave developing.
Steve Shine: The Allen County Republican chairman had a nightmare of a year when his party's choice for mayor was defeated in the primary, and then Matt Kelty self-destructed. Shine had to walk a line where he backed the nominee, yet was instrumental in convincing him to come clean before the Democrats used the allegations against him last fall. Now he is faced with rebuilding a divided party with key gubernatorial and congressional races coming up. It will be his greatest challenge.
3 comments:
what about ROACH? I've been throwing the wrench into the local machinery since 1991. I derailed or helped to derail a few candidates this year, and in years past.
and Montagano? he's a wet behind the ears kid, with no political savvy, put-up job by the powers that be to be a yes man for the democrats. He even kinda looks like FEZ from "that 70's show. he isnt a veteran, has no clue about foreigh policy, nor domestic affairs. just a sacrificial lamb agains ththe souder shredding machine. His only hope is the "anybody but souder" group can out muster the "religious fundamentalist extremist nut-job kool-aid drinkers". god I hate Souder- politically, and I wouldnt associate with him personally- its the evangical/proseletyzing thing.
Bush was a coke head; and doens of others in oru govt were/are stoners. souder is soo square.
anybody but souder!
Win will ROACH be announcing his run for Congress?
Harry Baals.
You cannot speak of politics in Fort Wayne, past or present, without mentioning Harry Baals. It's just fun to say it and mean it.
Post a Comment