The dispute over who should finish the term of ousted Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White moves to the Indiana Supreme Court this week.White can no longer serve as secretary of state following his conviction and sentencing for voter fraud and other felonies. State Democrats and Republicans are at odds over who should finish White’s four year term as the state’s chief elections officer. Democrats say it should be Vop Osili, their candidate who lost to White in the 2010 general election. A circuit judge has upheld their claim that White was never eligible to hold the office because he lied about his residence on a voter registration form.Republicans say state law allows Governor Mitch Daniels to name White’s replacement.Daniels appointed White’s chief deputy, Jerry Bonnet, to serve as interim secretary until the high court issues a ruling. The court will hear arguments on Wednesday Charlie White was sentenced to a year of home detention for his felony offenses. The sentence has been postponed until White’s appeal is heard.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.