Gary May Soon Have First Black Female Mayor In State
GARY, Ind. (CBS/WBBM) -- The primary election for mayor in Gary, Ind., Tuesday has set the stage for possible Indiana election history.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports, Indiana is on the verge of having its first-ever African-American woman as mayor of a city.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports
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Karen Freeman-Wilson easily won the Democratic primary election for mayor of Gary Tuesday. To make history, she will have to defeat Republican Charles S. Smith Jr. in the November election.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Felicia Middlebrooks Talks With Karen Freeman-Wilson
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History is on Freeman-Wilson's side. No Republican has won the race for mayor of Gary since 1939.
Freeman-Wilson was a Gary city judge when then-Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed her attorney general in early 2000. She lost her bid for a full term later that year.
Current Mayor Rudy Clay decided not to run for reelection, as he is battling prostate cancer.
Meanwhile in neighboring Hobart, Ind., Mayor Brian Snedecor easily beat back a challenge from former Mayor Linda Buzinec.
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