What a difference four years makes.
In 2007, local Republicans purposely did not field a candidate against incumbent Democratic City Clerk Sandy Kennedy. Kennedy was so popular, the reasoning went, that Democrats who otherwise might stay home if she were unopposed would come to the polls to support her in a contested race – then would vote for the Democratic mayoral and City Council candidates while they were at the polls.
The reasoning was sound. After all, in 2003, the Republicans had their best candidate yet against Kennedy – John McGauley, now the county recorder – and he did little better than any of the previous candidates she had trounced. Kennedy, remember, was elected in every city election beginning in 1983 – including three elections that saw a Republican win the mayor’s office.
What’s different now? Most of it has more to do with national than local politics.
One big message of the tea party movement has been opposition to longtime incumbents. Where Kennedy’s long tenure has been helpful in past elections, Republicans are hoping it turns against her this time.
Then there’s the question of turnout. With a number of Democrats and independents disappointed that President Obama’s administration hasn’t been more overtly successful, there’s a real possibility that Democrats will stay home on Election Day while Republicans have good turnout. That puts not only Kennedy’s office up for grabs but is also a reason that Mayor Tom Henry is running such an aggressive re-election campaign.
Still, Kennedy remains popular, and the campaign of Republican Zach Bonahoom has turned mean-spirited more than once, something that could work more in her favor than his.
After all, you know there is a problem when the county Republican chairman sends a news release defending Bonahoom that says, in essence, pay attention to the issues, not what Bonahoom says online.
Endorsement spin
Even State Rep. Phil GiaQuinta has stepped into the fray. After Bonahoom sent his now-infamous “parking Nazi” tweet, GiaQuinta called for Gov. Mitch Daniels to withdraw his endorsement of Bonahoom. Don’t expect that to happen.
“Referring to our public servants as Nazis is grossly inappropriate and demonstrates an incredible lack of judgment,” GiaQuinta said.
Last word on casino
Local businessman John Popp, one of the big contributors to some local Republicans, was one of the few local business leaders to take a stand publicly against bringing a casino to the city when the issue was being discussed a couple of years ago. Popp and a group he is involved with, Coalition for a Better Fort Wayne, surveyed all the candidates for Fort Wayne offices about casinos recently and shared the results.
None of the candidates who responded (Mayor Tom Henry did not respond) supported a casino or hiring consultants to study the issue, as Henry did.
Two, however, would support a casino referendum: Democrat Karen Goldner, the 2nd District city councilwoman, and Republican Ben Hall, who is seeking the 5th District Council seat.
