Rep. Crooks just copied me on a press release indicating that he will not be running for re-election in 2008. Unfortunately, I’ve switched computers since then and I don’t have the document handy. Apparently his business is doing well and he would like to spend more time with his family. Normally these reasons are code for “I’m being forced out because of a scandal.” But, with Rep. Crooks, I’m pretty sure he really just has other pursuits in which he would like to engage. It’s a loss for the State, but I wish him well. Dave was a freshman legislator when I started at Legislative Services. As such, I don’t think he knew that I didn’t know anything. And, if he was similarly green, I didn’t recognize it either. So, he was one of my favorites on the House Commerce Committee. He has certainly come a long way since then in the legislature.
Also stepping down is Rep. Joe Micon who represents my district in Lafayette. Oddly, despite the geographic proxmity, I know less about Rep. Micon than I do about Rep. Crooks. Still, Rep. Micon seems to have represented my area well over the past three years. But, he says he feels stretched a little thin — he uses the analogy of a juggler spinning plates. So he won’t be running for re-election in 2008 either.
As has become the norm in Indiana over the past 15 years or more, the House is up for grabs. Just one more wrinkle in an already interesting 2008 election season. The Presidency is always of interest. Three freshmen Democrats in the U.S. House will be defending their seats. Barry Welsh is going to see if he can make a run at Mike Pence. Nels Ackerson looks to be a credible challenger against Steve Buyer. Julia Carson’s seat always seems to be a carnival of one sort or another. Governor Daniels looks vulnerable, at least against an as yet unnamed opponent. And, the House of Representatives will be a nail biter. At the least, it will be a good time to own media outlets that sell ad time to candidates. (Psst, my sidebar is for sale).
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