Stidham, Cannon plan mayoral runs

Portage primary election heating up

The race to take the top leadership spot in Portage began recently, with two of the highest profile candidates announcing they will run for mayor.

Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham announced he will run for the Democratic nomination, while Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, said he wants the Republican party’s nomination.

Mayor James Snyder’s term ends next year, and, with a federal public corruption trial looming over the his head next month, it’s unclear if Snyder, a Republican, will be able to run for re-election. He did not return requests for comment.

Stidham said one of his first acts as mayor, if he’s elected, will be to restore confidence in city government. Along with the mayor’s legal troubles, the city has been beset by bickering between the almost all Democratic city council and the mayor.

“(Portage residents) are just tired of the fighting and the distraction,” Stidham said. “I’m running to put the focus back on important things. We all know we can do better.”

Along with improving the relationship between the mayor’s office and the council, Stidham said he wants to grow development on the city’s north side, including focusing on building out the areas bordered by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s South Shore commuter rail line.

NICTD recently celebrated the federal government’s acceptance of the railroad’s environmental impact study to add a second set of tracks, called double-tracking. Moving forward with doubletracking would make it easier to move people -- and opportunities -- to and from Chicago, Stidham said.

Stidham’s critics, at times, have questioned his commitment to his job as clerk-treasurer, due to his side work as an attorney with Rhame and Elwood, the legal firm that represents the city council and the Portage Township Schools board.

Stidham dismissed the criticism.

“We need a strong leader right now,” he said. “I’m going to be a full-time mayor.”

Along with paying more attention to development on the north side, Stidham said he wants to improve roads and continue to improve economic growth throughout the city.

Cannon said he wants to move past party labels and expectations, calling himself a “prounion Republican” who wants businesses to know the city is open for business.

“I know I can win,” Cannon said. “I have broad support. I’ve been very supportive of looking out for the people of Portage.”

If he’s elected mayor, Cannon said he’ll push for a publicprivate partnership to build a city center that will house city government offices and businesses.

Along with finishing projects “already in the pipeline,” Cannon said he wants a comprehensive sidewalk plan and more infrastructure projects.

Cannon said he has supported many of Snyder’s initiatives throughout Portage, but, he said he doesn’t expect voters to see the collaboration as proof he and Snyder are joined at the hip.

“I think people will look and see my record of accomplishments,” Cannon said. “No one on the (city) council has a record of accomplishments like myself.”

In recent interviews, Stidham and Cannon each touted long lists of accomplishments, and, like other interested candidates, they will have to wait until next month to file with Porter County to run for the position.

The race to the mayor’s office may not be cut and dried.

If Snyder is convicted, he will be removed from office immediately, leaving City Council President Mark Oprisko, D-At large, as the temporary mayor.

Within about 30 days, the Porter County Republican chairman can call for a caucus of Republican leaders from the city’s 28 precincts to elect a temporary mayor.

If he’s acquitted, Snyder can run again.

Also, other candidates are expected to get into the race this month.

Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.