Only two candidates will face off Saturday in the caucus to fill the seat of the late District 2 state Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago.
Byron “Duke” Florence, a longtime political fixture in Northwest Indiana, and Donna Harris, Harris’ widow, have signed up for the position. They were the only two to sign up by the April 15 deadline, Lake County Democratic Chairman John Buncich said Wednesday.
Florence, 63, of East Chicago, has been involved in politics for more than 40 years, having recently run for the North Township Board of Trustees. He said he was there when Harris was first chosen to represent District 2.
“Thirty-four years ago, when the seat was held by Tony Zaleski, we decided that the district should be represented by a minority,” Florence said. “We recruited Earl, and he won. He served ever since.”
Florence said he came back to the region after college and stints in the NFL and MLB, and found politics intriguing. He said much of his legislative experience comes from work done with the late U.S. Rep. Katie Hall.
“I’m ready to perform. I’m retired now, so I can put all my focus on District 2,” Florence said. “I’d like to see legislation for public school land, and I believe casino funds need to be used for infrastructure more.”
Buncich said he recently met with the District 2 leadership and members of the Northwest Indiana Legislative Bloc, and they agreed Donna Harris would be the ideal person to fill the remainder of the term. She didn’t return calls for comment.
“Donna is very familiar with the legislative process because she spent a lot of time downstate with Earl,” Buncich said. “She knows the players, so we felt it appropriate that she run. We’ll see what happens.”
Earl Harris, who served in the Indiana House for more than three decades, died on March 23 after missing much of the 2015 session due to an illness.
The District 2 caucus will be held April 18 at Wicker Park Social Center in Highland, Buncich said. Registration starts at 9 a.m., and voting will take place at 10 a.m.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter.
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