Jon Costas sent a departure email to his supporter mailing list:
Congratulations to Greg Zoeller, the successful nominee for Attorney General at the Indiana Republican State Convention. I look forward to campaigning for Greg, Governor Mitch Daniels, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman and Tony Bennett, the Republican candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
I want to thank all of those who supported my campaign with time, endorsements, money and encouragement. You are all my friends and I look forward to our opportunities and challenges together in the future.
To all the delegates that have spent time with me over the past five weeks, I appreciate your dedication to the Republican principles that we embrace as we lead and govern our state. I thank you all for your support and friendship built on the campaign trail. I look forward to our conversations in the future.
Jon
Mr. Costas is an excellent mayor for the citizens of Valparaiso. Hopefully, he’ll continue serving them (and Hoosiers more broadly) for many years to come, whether as mayor or as something else down the line (county office, state House, state Senate, statewide office, or whatever else).
This was just not his year. Mr. Costas put forward a good and clean fight (despite what some people supporting him may have done to his benefit or ultimate detriment), and should be commended on it.
ITA Scott. Jon Costas can do well for Valpo as their Mayor. After that if he aspires for higher office I can see him moving into a State Rep or State Senate seat.
Personally I think the tactics of others being brought to light of day by yourself worked to Mayor Costas’ detriment.
Did anyone else pick up a copy of Rex Early’s book, “It’s a Mighty Thin Pancake” at the convention? It’s a scream! Now I know who Keith Bulen is. The stories about him make the recent arm twisting sound like a day at Girl Scout camp.
I’ve written a partial book review. You can check it out here:
http://diana-vice.blogspot.com/
I feel a bit sorry for Mayor Costas. Unfortunately, he was “used” by the party because they thought they would benefit by the big law firms being back in the house with Costas. I agree with the previous comment that Jon Costas most definitely has a political future, but this was not the right job for him and he should have never been encouraged to run for it.
Governor Daniels needs to clean house and clean house immediately to improve his image with the party and Hoosiers. Tom John, Murray Clark and others need to be ousted immediately. Add to that, cleaning up the circle around him with “advisers” like Bill Oesterle.
Our Governor has done many wonderful things, but his image has been tarnished because of those surrounding him. I was a delegate at the convention and the Costas supporters felt cold and hostile to be around. It was a scary, mob-like feel. This is not what Mitch needs.
I don’t know what Costas’ future in Indiana politics is. But the reason Daniels wanted a “progressive” Republican AG was so that that progressive Republican could later replace him as governor. One of the reasons yesterday was so great for conservatives was that it impeded that plan.
Regarding a future candidate for Governor, what about Steve Carter in 2012. Tell me that wouldn’t be a landslide victory for the GOP. Carter should be the candidate and Marion County Prosecutor, Carl Brizzi, should be the lieutenant governor candidate.
marykatherine – Personally (strictly my personal, humble opinion) I think Steve Carter is bowing out of politics and public life. It’s much more lucrative being in private practice as the former AG than being the AG, strange as it seems. He’ll be successful wherever he goes. He’ll have candidates coming to him for a long time looking for his support.
Carl Brizzi, as good of a guy he is, has limited appeal outside Marion County. He’s a Marion County guy. He can draw a crowd of thousands in Indianapolis but in Lagrange he’d be “Carl Who?”.
There’s several who may be considered before Carl Brizzi or Steve Carter in ‘12. The LTG is a given, as always the case. Possibly Todd Rokita who will be term limited out in ‘10.
I hear you Michael on Brizzi’s limited appeal. Actually, I do think that Carter would consider the position of Governor and he would win by a major landslide against any Democratic candidate. He may be bowing out now, but frankly, he is like the “Larry Bird” of basketball for the Indiana GOP. He’ll always be a favorite.
I am not impressed with Rokita. He was arrogant in the way he spoke at the convention. Also, were you aware that Greg Zoeller ran his floor campaign when Todd was running for Secretary of State? Rokita started in last place and it was Zoeller’s mastery on the floor that got him as our candidate.
Rokita repaid his gratitude by immediately throwing his support behind Jon Costas for this latest AG contest. Some friend, huh?
Brizzi, on the other hand, showed principal by backing Zoeller, even when those in the party were critizing him for doing so.
“Brizzi, on the other hand, showed princip[le] by backing Zoeller, even when those in the party were critizing him for doing so.”
The Party Establishment and Astroturf would be who was criticizing him. The Grassroots would support Mr. Brizzi for his stance on the AG selection. This in obvious opposition to certain key people.
Thanks for the kind words regarding Jon. He will indeed be on the state stage again I’m sure.
As for Brizzi, I for one found him the least enjoyable part of the convention. Yes, I know he was the one who first jousted with Tom John, so maybe he had the right to deliver the nomination.
As for Governor in 2012, I’m leaning toward Becky Skillman.
We think alike, dalton. Becky Skillman is a class act, and she supports the 2nd Amendment!
I’ll third the skillman nomination
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