District 26

Randy Truitt for State Representative

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:30:34 -0500

House retirements present opportunity for Republican majority in 2008

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:46:54 -0500

Indiana politico Brian Howey ran a blurb in his daily wire about retirements in the House.

Eight House incumbents declined to seek re-election as filing deadline passed on Friday (Howey Politics Indiana). They include: Democrats Joe Micon, Dave Crooks, Phil Hoy and David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays who are seeking the 7th CD. House Republicans decling to run include Eric Gutwein, Mike Ripley and Larry Buell. (emphasis ours)

Certainly the Micon seat and the Crooks seat, districts that Bush 2004 won handily, are major opportunities for Republicans. Republicans have recruited excellent candidates in Mark Messmer (HD63) and Randy Truitt (HD26).

Howey didn’t mention the Denbo district, also a red seat that is now occupied by an appointed freshman Democrat.

However, the Hoy seat and the Orentlicher seat have been competitive in recent cycles. In Orentlicher's seat, Republican Adam Nelson is the candidate.

If nothing else, 2008 will be a year where Democrats will be forced to defend a lot of open seat races.

Truitt will run in District 26.

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:45:04 -0500

The Lafayette Journal and Courier is now officially reporting that Randy Truitt is running in House District 26. Considering Mitch Daniels won in that district in 2004 with 54% of the vote, we think this is a top pick-up opportunity. Mike Gentry, HRCC Executive Director, is calling it his #1 race.

West Lafayette City Council member Randy Truitt, R-At large, said he will announce his candidacy for the Indiana House District 26 seat at a news conference this afternoon.

Truitt doesn't have a formal opponent in the race yet. However, Democrat John Polles recently filed the necessary paperwork to form an exploratory committee for seeking the seat.

"I am leaning toward running and will have more to say at the end of this week," Polles said this morning.

Truitt should expect full support for the House Republican Campaign Committee.

Mike Gentry, executive director for the committee, said it is willing to commit personnel, money or whatever Truitt might need to win the race.

"This is the No. 1 priority seat" for the Republicans taking back control of the House, Gentry said.

In 2004, Gov. Mitch Daniels received 56 percent of the vote, Gentry said, suggesting Truitt has a good chance at winning the seat because voters here vote Republican.

Randy Truitt to make announcement in HD26

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:32:02 -0500

We learned last year that Democrat State Representative Joe Micon will not be running for re-election in HD26. As WTHR reported, HD26 is one of the most closely divided seats between Democrats and Republicans in the state.

The Lafayette Journal and Courier is reporting that West Lafayette City Council member Randy Truitt is holding a press conference today to make an announcement. Stay tuned.

West Lafayette City Council member Randy Truitt, R-at large, will hold a news conference today about an important announcement regarding Indiana House District 26.
Truitt would not confirm if he is announcing his candidacy for the seat Democrat Joe Micon holds. Late last year, Micon announced he would not seek re-election.
"There is going to be an awesome announcement" today, Truitt said. A "big-time announcement."
Truitt won re-election to the West Lafayette City Council in November.