Indiana

Hostile Takeover or Friendly Fire?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

If  the Marion County Democratic establishment was going to knock down Mayoral candidate Brian Williams, it’s going to have to hit a little harder next time.

Last Friday the Williams’  campaign filed more than 200 candidates for precinct committeemen (PC) spots.   PC’s are crucial to a political party as they choose the County Chairman, and in a slating system, recommend candidates for offices. However, the chatter has been that many of  those filings were invalid because individuals weren’t registered voters or voted in Republican primaries.   However, when the rubber hit the road there were only 14 challenges filed against Williams’ candidates.  The total number of challenges filed was 31.

In addition, the Williams’ campaign has more than 100 uncontested candidates for precinct committeemen.   The conventional wisdom is that if any candidate can control more than 70 PC’s, he or she can pretty much control the slating and county convention process.

The hearing for the challenges is set for Tuesday, March 2.    Life just got more interesting.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on February 26, 2010 (boomark / email).