Buck coasts to caucus victory

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April 27, 2008

State rep leaving post for senate seat

By SCOTT SMITH The Kokomo Tribune Sun Apr 27, 2008, 10:24 PM EDT

Jim Buck won an easy victory Saturday to become the next Indiana District 21 State Senator, taking a seat held by Jeff Drozda since 2002.

Buck, who has served 14 years in the Indiana House, bested opponents Dave Mueller and Monty Henderson in a Republican caucus at Howard County Republican Party headquarters.

Saturday’s vote gives Buck at least two years in the state Senate, with the District 21 seat not up for election until 2010.

That year, if Buck wants to keep the seat, he can expect a primary challenge from Mueller, a Westfield businessman, who urged precinct committeemen Saturday to keep Buck in the House.

Buck, however, used his name recognition across the four-county District 21 area to his advantage, winning 68 of 88 votes cast in the first ballot. The clear majority made a run-off vote unnecessary.

“We were cautiously optimistic,” Buck said when asked if he thought the caucus would end on the first ballot. “I’m gratified it was.”

“I think [Buck] has done a lot for us being our representative,” said Michael Harwood, a precinct committeeman from Sheridan. “He comes to all of our functions, and he helped us get a park there. Everybody loves him.”

Howard County Commissioner Brad Bagwell referred to the fact Buck represented much of District 21 before redistricting changed his House seat’s boundaries.

“People are confident in his abilities to represent the area, and he has a lot of experience in Hamilton and Tipton counties. It’s not like he’s a new face,” Bagwell said.

Indiana Senate Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, could swear Buck in this week. As soon as Buck takes his Senate seat, he’ll also officially resign his House seat.

That resignation will start a 30-day clock running on another Republican caucus, which will be held to decide who will replace Buck for the remainder of his House term.

A second caucus must also be held to determine who will replace Buck on the ballot in November. The same candidates will be allowed to run in both caucuses, if they so choose.

Buck said Clinton County Republican Party officials are hoping to unify behind one candidate in both caucuses, as House District 38 includes all of Clinton County.

If the Clinton County Republicans back a single candidate, they’ll likely be able to elect one of their own. Buck’s road to the Senate was likewise smoothed by the fact most of the precincts in the 21st Senate district are Howard County precincts.

Whoever is selected to fill the Republican nomination in House District 38 will run in November against Democratic candidate Bob Snow of Kokomo.

Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, a Northwestern High School graduate, came to Saturday’s caucus to back his friend Dave Mueller, but said Buck would do a fine job.

“Mr. Mueller’s desire to serve is going to pay off for him in the long run,” Cook said. “I’d really like to add Dave to the entire situation. I think we can find room for both of them [in public service].”

Scott Smith may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com

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