Matt Owen is the Lone Candidate

Jeffersonville City Councilman Scott Hawkins

not Seeking District 71 Seat 

Councilman Hawkins

The SI Open Minded has confirmed that Councilman Hawkins will not be seeking House Seat 71 formally held by Democrat Steve Stemler. This leaves Councilman Matt Owen unchallenged in the May 2018 Primary and poised to win the seat in the November 2018 General Election.

This news has to be a relief to the local party leaders as Hawkins is well liked. With Hawkins being a long time teacher at Jeffersonville High School, he would surely have had lots of support from former students and parents setting up a potentially contentious primary. Not only that, should a strong democrat materialize out of nowhere, an internal and potentially negative primary would do nothing but give democrats ammo to against the winner of that contest for a November showdown.

...But I digress... 

None of what I said in the previous paragraph matters now! My bet is there is no one else from the Republicans to announce with the support that has been put behind Owen. 

Now we wait:

WHO is the Democrat Hero to resurrect the failing local Democratic party that will come forward? 

Your Future State Representative for District 71?

Councilman Matt Owen

Current odds of success: 100%

Here's my Top 10 List in order of strength titled:

"Who can win the seat based on the strength of the local Democrat Party today"

1. No one

2. No one

3. No one

4. No one

5. No one

6. No one

7. Someone

8. Maybe

9. Never mind, no one

10. But I've been wrong 1 time before

What's your thoughts?

Do you have the scoop?

Put your comments below.

Sen. Jim Smith is Out: Offically not seeking Re-Election

****EXCLUSIVE****

Senator Jim Smith not to seek Re-Election

Sen. Jim Smith

Senator Jim Smith (IN 45) announced today that he will not be seeking re-election. That leaves Candidate Chris Garten unchallenged in next year's primary. No reason was given as to why he will not seek re-election but one could speculate.

"I've been fortunate to serve the constituents of Clark, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, Switzerland, and Washington counties since 2010," Smith said. "While serving in the Senate, I've had meaningful experiences and worked on a variety of issues to make Indiana a State That Works. It has been an honor to represent the great people of Southern Indiana and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the legislature."

No word yet if the democrats will have a candidate for this seat in the November 2018 General Election.

Now that Smith is out, it will be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork to challenge Chris Garten for the open seat.

Put your thoughts and comments below. Do you have the scoop? 

Republican Showdown for District 71?

Councilman Owen Vs. Councilman Hawkins?

       

Councilman Matt Owen MAY (and I emphasize MAY in this sentence) have a Republican primary challenger in fellow Councilman of the Jeffersonville's 6th District; Scott Hawkins. This race would decide who would be the Republican on the November ballot for Indiana District 71 formally held by Rep. Steve Stemler.

The Democrats have yet to have anyone announce to try and fill Representative Stemler's fiscally conservative well respected democrat shoes. *INSERT CRICKET NOISES HERE*

Apparently Councilman Hawkins is currently doing some diligence in weighing his options and him running is one the table. However with the Republican 9th District and County Chairman Jamey Noel endorsing Matt Owen for this seat, it's already clear that Scott would have an up-hill battle within the local and potentially the state party.

But I have to be honest,  I take Hawkins as a "I don't care what you think" and "I'll do this with or without you" kind of guy. I don't mean that in a negative way by any means, only that he is not afraid to use the head on top of his shoulders for original thoughts. That very well may be the case here. 

Should Councilman Hawkins announce, it would put the May primaries on the list of races to watch. Both are strong within their bases but with Owen being an At-Large Councilman, part of his base is also within Hawkins' base. Although, on the other hand, the rest of the City is Owen's base.

IF Hawkins announces, don't count either candidate out too early. They are both strong and my prediction is that it would come down to a hand full of votes. 

IF Owen remains the only Republican candidate I'd still like to see the Democrats at least put up a fight to retain the seat. 

BUT the only way they are going to be able to do that is with some new additions to the party.

UNLESS another At-Large Councilman takes his hat and wholeheartedly throws it in the ring. 

What are your thoughts? Do you have the scoop?

Share in the comments below.

Jeffersonville Mayor

Four Moore Years?

I'll be the first to admit that I don't always agree with every single stance our Mayor makes or how he handles every situation. But I will say, in my opinion he's done a good job overall.

Thinking back on his latest fund raising golf outing, I have to wonder:

Could this be the last go?

Two terms has to take a toll on a person serving in this capacity let alone three. Let's be honest, there are not that many people who REALLY know what it's like to Mayor. If you love our city, like this Mayor appears too, it's probably a pretty good job to go to everyday. But with any job, I'm sure it has its major struggles as well. Struggles that challenge your core beliefs when you recognize how your decisions impact other people in a very real way. 

With Mayor Moore clearly primed to easily take a victory for his third term, I do not see a clear path for anyone to over take him, regardless of party. That speaks to the Mayor's strength.

Now, once that third term is up and assuming he doesn't run for a forth, who's in the pipeline? Only time will tell. I suspect when the time comes, it will be packed house to file for the paper work to be a candidate for the next Mayor of Jeffersonville.

What's your thoughts on Mayor Moore? Good, Bad, Neutral?