Kevin Rader/Political Reporter
Indianapolis, Sept. 22 - Governor Joe Kernan did make some changes to his staff on Monday. Former Lt. Governor Kernan Chief of Staff Mary Downs and Press Secretary Tina Noel will be rejoining now Governor Kernan in those same capacities.
Governor Kernan announced that Press Secretary Mary Dieter and Chief of Staff Tim Joyce would reassigned to clear the way for the first appointments of the Kernan Administration.
Just after Governor O'Bannon's portrait was hung in the governor's office, Kernan said there was no timetable for selecting a Lt. Governor. "I don't anticipate any announcement this week. As I told Speaker (Pat) Bauer and President Pro Tem Bob Garton, I will make sure I give them enough notice in order to be able to call a special session. So we will work together in that regard. In terms of the timetable, it will be when I am ready. I am not ready at this point. I don't anticipate any announcement this week."
The governor says he has yet to conduct any formal interviews for the number two spot.
Both Dieter and Joyce attended Monday's announcement. Downs and Noel did not. Both will assume their new duties in one week.
Political insiders are already talking about who the governor might name as lt governor.
They include:
- Indiana State Police Superintendent Melvin Carraway - he would be the first African-American in that role
- Attorney David Johnson
- Former Indianapolis City-County Council member Susan Williams - she has a history working in economic development
- Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard - less likely since he is currently running for a second term as mayor
- Former Secretary of State Joe Hogsett
- Former House Speaker John Gregg - President of Vincennes University
