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No decision yet, but Gregg enthused about a possible run for governor
Former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg, from nearby Sandborn, says he's not made a decision whether to make a run on the Democrat Party ticket for governor in 2012, but quickly adds that he's encouraged with the support he's receiving throughout the state.
Gregg, who's an attorney with the Bingham McHale law firm with offices in Vincennes and Indianapolis, said the decision will ultimately be a decision governed by what is best for his family.
If a decision is made to run, Gregg said it would quickly become a full-time job campaigning.
"I am still exploring it and I'm real enthused and I'm actually encouraged by everything. I've been meeting with people all around the state in some of the more major metropolitan areas. I spent time in southern Indiana with different mayors, county chairmen and district chairmen. I've spent a lot of time in Indianapolis," Gregg told the Greene County Daily World on Monday morning.
He's also got some meetings planned on Wednesday and Thursday to Lake County to meet with some members of organized labor and elected officials.
Last week, Gregg was on the road and met with officials from the Democrat Governor's Association.
"With each day I get more enthused about it (a run for the office)," Gregg stressed.
Volunteer groups have sprung up with a website on the Internet and social media, like Facebook, that are seeking support for Gregg's candidacy.
He's also keeping the speaking engagement calendar booked with Jackson-Jefferson Dinners all around the state.
The 56-year-old Gregg has the political resume to make him a viable candidate, if he decides to throw his hat into the race.
Beginning in 1986, when he was first elected to the Indiana House of Representatives and served in several leadership roles before becoming the 85th Speaker of the House in 1996.
After six years, he retired as the longest serving Democrat Speaker in state history.
In 2002 he was named "Public Official of the Year" by Governing Magazine.
Gregg went on to become the 20th president of Vincennes University, helping that institution move from a two-year to a four-year curriculum.
Currently, the former speaker uses his skills and experiences to assist governments, municipalities, school corporations, and businesses with legislative and business matters as a lawyer.
From 1999-2007, John shared his homespun wit as radio talk show host for WIBC Indianapolis.
Prior to his public life, John worked in Southern Indiana for two Fortune 500 companies.
When asked about the positives of making a run in 2012, Gregg said, "Part of it is, I looked after the Nov. 2010 election and I told myself as I looked at things, if the Republicans misread what they thought would be a clear mandate and started overreaching and stuff it would be a clear sign to me," Gregg said.
"If the Republicans would have just let it stay in the middle I think most of Americans could live with it. But they've swung it to the other side. I'm a very middle of the road person. I governed as speaker when we had a 50-50 tied house on session. I think I can run well in southern Indiana which over the last couple of elections has lost a bunch of legislative seats and they (the Democrats) have not run well congressional wise. I think I can help in that area being a moderate Democrat and a fiscally conservative Democrat."
Gregg's youngest son, Hunter, is a junior at North Knox High School and will graduate in May 2012. His other son, John is a freshman student at Butler University in Indianapolis.
The negatives against running would be consideration for his boys, Gregg said.
"That's still something I have to sort out," he said.
Gregg said Hunter is involved in track and other school events and wants to be able to participate as fan/father.
"That's important to me. I've sacked popcorn and flipped burgers and want to keep doing that and cooking for prom events. That's important to me so that is the biggest consideration right there."