Questions follow Charlie White’s departure

WISHTV.COM

Jim Shella

Updated: Feb 6, 2012 5:24 PM

The Indiana Democratic Party went to court today in an effort to win control of the Secretary of State’s office.  Republican Secretary of State Charlie White was removed from office when he was convicted of voter fraud on Saturday.  The governor wasted no time naming Jerry Bonnet, a Republican, as his interim replacement.

Meantime, White was on Fox News Sunday accusing the governor of crimes.  “Mitch Daniels has voted incorrectly, according to the standards put on me. the last 10 straight elections.”

He votes down at the governor’s mansion where everyone knows he does not live,” said White.  “The local media will not talk about this because, again, it’s inconvenient.”

All this takes place at the busiest time for those who work in the Secretary of State’s office.  Candidates, including Mike Pence this morning, are streaming in in advance of Friday’s filing deadline for the May primary.  Jerry Bonnet has his hands full.   The man who was White’s chief of staff conducted a staff meeting this morning but wouldn’t make himself available to the media.  Staff members says the Secretary of State’s office is experiencing buisness as usual.

And this afternoon Democrats who believe their candidate in 2010, Vop Osili, should be the Secretary of State asked the state Appeals court to make it possible.  “There’s no case against Vop Osili becoming Secretary of State,” said State Democratic Chairman Dan Parker. “The case was that, according to the Republican Party, Charlie White was properly registered.  We now know a jury has convicted him.”  Democrats hope to see Osili named Secretary of State yet this week.

Finally, Hamilton County Judge Steve Nation set February 23rd as the date for Charlie White’s sentencing.

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