SOS race gets interesting | Zionsville mayor causes stir

Gov. Eric Holcomb's influence within the Republican party is about to get tested again.

Secretary of State Holli Sullivan, whom Holcomb appointed in March 2021 to serve out the remainder of Connie Lawson's term, is seeking the Republican nomination to keep her job at the upcoming state convention this month.

Her appointment should have given her a head start at earning some name recognition and proving she could do the job. But in a sign of strange times, being tied to Holcomb has become her greatest liability as the conservative wing of the party continues to criticize the Republican governor.

Former congressional candidate Diego Morales has emerged as Sullivan's most credible threat, earning the support of the conservative wing of the party despite his limited election-related experience and rocky history with the secretary of state's office.

There's no guarantee for Sullivan — or Holcomb.

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Zionsville mayor causes stir with language

Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron gave herself a new title this week with an F-bomb: "the (expletive) mayor of this town."

The response was part of a curse word-filled Facebook exchange over gun violence, in the wake of a Texas mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school last week. Styron, who said she was angry, argued it was time for more gun restrictions.

Her colorful language was met with a mix of criticism and praise. Of course, she isn't the first politician to curse. Former President Donald Trump used profanities in events and rallies. And, former vice-president Dick Cheney once told a senator to "go (expletive) yourself" during a spat on the Senate floor.

Seems like everyone wants a special session

But for very different reasons.

Already Republican lawmakers have asked Holcomb to call a special session if Roe v. Wade is overturned in order to restrict abortion access. Meanwhile House Democrats have been vocal about the need to suspend the gas tax, which would likely take a — you guessed it — special session.

On Thursday Senate Democrats offered Holcomb with another reason to call a special session: to address the threat of gun violence.

So far, Holcomb hasn't committed to calling a special session for any reason.

Health care providers ask Holcomb to protect abortion access

Speaking of a special session: more than 400 health care providers and medical students signed off on two letters to Holcomb, asking him to protect abortion access. They requested he refrain from calling a special session on the issue.

Those letters were delivered to his office Thursday morning.

Newcomer wants Irvington council seat

Political newcomer Andy Nielsen will compete with sitting city-county councilor David Ray for the new District 14 seat, which encompasses Irvington and runs all the way to Mitthoefer Road.

Nielsen launched his campaign this week with more than a year away from municipal elections. Ray said he'll seek a third term.

District 14 is one of three in which Democratic councilors were drawn into potential competition. Councilor Jason Larrison, drawn into District 14 with Ray, said he won't seek reelection.

Former Democrat Ethan Evans, now an independent, isn't seeking reelection for the new District 10 — easing the competition for fellow sitting councilor Ali Brown to score a win.

Councilors Monroe Gray and Keith Potts have also been drawn in together in a new district on the north side.

Ryan Mears won't seek FOP endorsement

Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears says he’s not going to seek the endorsement of the Indianapolis police union — perhaps an empty statement, since he likely doesn’t stand a chance at getting it.

Mears said in a statement Thursday that he’s reaffirming an old pledge in July of 2020 to reject any contributions from police unions, noting that “’prosecutors being on the ‘political payroll’ of police unions is inappropriate and unethical.’”

Mears is running against Republican Cyndi Carrasco.

Not that the local Fraternal Order of Police would probably give Mears its ringing support — the union has called out Mears, the mayor, and others in the Democratic establishment for the city’s rising homicide rate.

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Hoosier Politics is compiled and written by the IndyStar politics and government team. Send us tips or let us know what you think of the newsletter by emailing Kaitlin.Lange@IndyStar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: SOS race gets interesting | Zionsville mayor causes stir