Potential Candidates for Campaign 2007

The Republican political party had their luncheon this afternoon, and a few potential candidates filtering into the Allen County Election Board to declare their candidacy before the February 23, 2007 noontime deadline. Although many potential candidates have already signed on, some with letters of endorsement from their party chair. Others appears to be bent on challenging the old inertia from the status quo polished career candidates.

One potential candidate, David Hecke, when asked why he was challenging a candidate, (city clerk) expressed the fact that his family had been in the city for over 200 years and that was more than enough to qualified him. Good enough. Several other potential candidates walked in seem bored by just flicking the television channels as a past time for the elderly and hobbled in to get into the action by participating in the political process beyond simply voting. With little fanfare and with a great deal of dignity, these men quietly filled out their declaration of candidacy for primary nomination form and filed. Filing was the easy part. So easy was it that one potential candidate filed and later found out he was not in the district and withdrew his filing. Nevertheless, whipping up the voters to support these new comers will be the hard part, especially with so many new names enter the primary.


For example the at large seats appear to be attracting lots of candidates from the two party system of Democrats and Republicans. And the Mayor nomination (six filed )may not have as many as the at large candidates (nine filed) but the list has time for growth.

Democrats

♦Tom Cook Jr., unknown to the Allen County Democratic Party

♦Frederick Steinke, unknown to the party

Republicans

♦Matt Kelty, local architect

♦Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner

♦Ivan R. Hood, unknown to the Allen County Republican Party

♦Wilbert “Duke” Brown, unknown to the party

Well the crowd does not dampen Wilbert Curtis " Duke" Brown's spirit. Brown, one of the potential Mayoral candidates was pleased as punch in meeting some of his challengers at the Republican's luncheon. Brown expressed the fact that the luncheon was a great experience where he was able to mentally sizes up his competition within the party. Brown states he is in to win.

But some potential candidates have not sign up although the media has informed the voting public that these individuals may be entering the primary race. Potential candidates like Tom Henry and Mitch Harper had not signed up by 4:15 today, but the deadline is not until noon February 23, 2007.