City Council Races By GUEST COMMENTATOR

The Giant's News Bureau (GBN) breaks more guest commentary on the city council races! 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The  following are  announced candidates for the Jeffersonville City Council seats,  with three (3)  to be nominated from each for the Democrats and Republicans.  Additionally, there could possibly be up to three (3)  Conservative Third Party nominees,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Jeffersonville City Council At-Large
D - Ronald H. Clark
D - Dennis Julius
D - Nathan Samuel*
D - Dustin White
R - Kathy Kennedy Bupp
R - E. Wayne Carter*
R - Matthew C. Owen
R - Abraham (Abe) Navarro
R - Win Walker Jr.

Three at large candidates will be elected in the fall. On the Democrat side, Dennis Julius and Nathan Samuels are formidable.  The contest for third is likely between Ronald Clark and Dustin White.  With DW being an  associated with attorner Larry Wilder, he probably  is holding tough cards.  On the Republican side, Win Walker will be very strong, with Abe Navarro, Wayne Carter, and Matt Owen contending.  Navarro was appointed by  Governor Daniels to fill the remaining  partial year of the last term of   legendary  Clark  Circuit  Judge  Daniel  Donahue,  who had resigned.  Navaro was also selected by the Republican hierarchy to be the Republican candidate for  circuit judge in 2008.  He subsequently lost in the general election to Dan Moore.  Carter was selected to fill the remainder of Ron Groom's term by the Republican hierarchy.  If those "insiders" stick with Carter as their third choice after giving him the appointment,  it further limits Matt "kid with game" Owen's chances.  Matt Owen may have a very tough time  getting out of fourth, with the usual  small, dedicated voter turnout in Republican primaries.  The fifth candidate in the Republican primary, Kathleen Kennedy Bupp has a lot of ground to make up.  It isn't earth shaking if there is a minor challenge to her residency.  She should be allowed to run.  In the fall, there will be several strategies.  Straight ticket voting will be important. A sweep by either side is possible, but with many people always  liking "to scratch and vote selectively back and forth".  Rating the expected strength of the candidates, the most likely scenario is that Julius and Samuels will be very strong.  Win Walker should be the premier vote getter for the Republicans in ALL of their races.  Walker would have a very good candidate for mayor.  Be aware, some "HORSE TRADING has occurred in the council races the past!  The real Wild Card in the fall is the question of just how many Conservative Third Party candidates will be on the ballot as Libertarian/Tea Party contestants.   The voters do like choices.