Mayor to seek statewide office

Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez filed papers with the state Friday that launched his candidacy for Indiana secretary of state.\nHe has publicly entertained the idea of running for the seat, which oversees business, securities and elections. It will be vacated in 2002 by Republican Sue Anne Gilroy at the end of her second term. \nThe papers he filed with the Indiana Election Division create an exploratory committee. Under state law, candidates cannot start to raise campaign funds until they have an exploratory committee.\n"I'm gratified by the strong encouragement I've been receiving from a large number of leaders from all across Indiana," Fernandez said in a press release. "During the next several months, I will be traveling throughout Indiana listening to the concerns of our fellow citizens and sharing ideas on how we can build a better future for our state."\nState Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, chairs the Friends of Mayor Fernandez Committee; Indianapolis attorney Ann O'Hara serves as its general counsel. \nThe Democratic candidate for the seat -- held by Gilroy since 1994 -- will ultimately be determined by the party leadership and announced at their state convention in 2002. \n"It's an open seat," said Douglas Davidoff, communications director for the Indiana Democratic Party. "Because there may be more than one candidate, we tend not to get involved."\nGenerally, Davidoff said Democrats will be looking for a candidate who can generate statewide support and raise funds. \n"Mayor Fernandez is certainly a great Democrat," he said. "But that's about as far as we can go."\nFernandez's political stock has been rising in the state party.\nLast year, Gov. Frank O'Bannon tapped him for the state's attorney general position, which Jeff Modisett left to take a job in Sillicon Valley. While O'Bannon ultimately gave Karen Freeman-Wilson the nod, insider sources told Indianapolis media that Fernandez ran a close second.\nAt the time, he said he had no interest in running for higher office and would focus on the business of the city.\nThe Howey Political Report, a newsletter published by Nuvo columnist Brian Howey out of Indianapolis, ranked Fernandez 26th in its annual list of Indiana's Top 50 Political Figures. He had come in 42nd in 1999.\nThe ranking places him ahead of Rep. John Hostettler, R-8th, and former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, whom President George W. Bush had reportedly considered for a cabinet post. \nIn the press release, Fernandez said his qualifications for the position include the creation of 2,300 new jobs, securing more than $143 million of private investment in the city and increasing resources for child care assistance. \n"In terms of vision and initiative, I give him high marks," said Councilman Timothy Mayer, D-At Large.\nBloomingtonians in both parties agree that Fernandez would be well-suited for a statewide office.\n"He's a formidable candidate," said former Republican county councilman Kirk White, who ran for mayor against Fernandez in 1999. "He's very well-versed on the issues. He has a good grasp of how government should be organized."\nFernandez has served as a city law clerk and city councilman. Re-elected in 1999, he is in his second term as mayor.\nIf Fernandez were to win the secretary of state race, he said he would continue to serve as mayor until sworn into the new position Jan. 1, 2003. His second term as mayor would conclude at the end of the year.\nIf he were to leave office, he would be replaced by deputy mayor James McNamara. A caucus of Democratic precinct committee members would select the mayoral candidate in the fall election.