How the 2011 Election May affect the 2012 Race for Governor

WISHTV.COM

Jim Shella

Updated: Nov 10, 2011 5:38 PM

Tuesday night was a big night for Republicans here in Indianapolis and across Indiana as the GOP gained 17 seats in Mayor’s offices including Evansville and Anderson.  They held onto important seats in Democratic cities including Indianapolis and Terre Haute.  It will be a factor in the 2012 Election.

A mayor can help a candidate for governor, both when it comes to raising money and getting out the vote, and Republicans now control the majority of city halls in Indiana.   State Democratic Chairman Dan Parker ticks off cities where a Republican will replace a Democrat in the mayor’s office, “Jonesboro, Elwood, Anderson, Tipton,” he says as he points to a map in Democratic Headquarters.

It’s a concern for his candidate for governor, John Gregg.  “I’m disappointed we lost,” says Gregg, “we lost a lot of seats, we lost a lot friends.”

Gregg donated $30,000 to Melina Kennedy’s campaign because he knows how helpful a mayor can be especially in major cities.  “It’s always great to have a mayor that’s of the same party that you can go in and you can call on,” he says, “and can introduce you to people, not just the party faithful.”

Republican candidate for governor Mike Pence had a visible presence at Greg Ballard’s victory party.   Pence gave Ballard $5,000 and hosted a fundraiser for Marion County Republicans.  “You know, the county party and the Ballard campaign here built a huge volunteer army,” says Ballard campaign manager Jennifer Hollowell, “that is now energized and ready to go into 2012.”

Back at Democratic Headquarters Parker looks for silver lining and downplays the Republican gains.  “But they did pick up a lot of places that are traditionally Republican,” he says, “that were Represented by Democrats.”  But he knows that this year’s negative numbers will make it more difficult to post positive numbers next year.

Parker also has a theory about this year’s election.  He believes that voters ignored party labels for the most part and voted the most likable candidates.  If you believe, as he does, that John Gregg is the most likable candidate in the race for governor, 2011 results won’t matter.

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