Indiana Governor Joe Kernan (who succeeded the late Governor Frank O'Bannon in September) is holding a press conference tommorow to announce his candidacy for Governor in 2004. Kernan, a Democrat, is considered the best candidate for the Democrats to keep the Governorship in their hands. With the Democratic primary candidates (Vi Simpson and Joe Andrew) dropping out in favor of Kernan, a blockbuster race can be expected between Kernan and Mitch Daniels, the former Budget Director of President Bush.
Obviously, this is great news for Democrats. Instead of an open seat in unfriendly territory, we get a popular Governor who can win this seat on a tide of public goodwill. I'm not saying this race is a lock for the Democrats (far, far from it), but things are looking up for the Indiana Democrats.