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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...01861310427.txt

Oberlie mulls future in politics

By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, January 7, 2011 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — Mayor Chuck Oberlie will pack up his City Hall office when his second full term ends in December, but that might not be the end of his political career.

The mayor hasn’t ruled out another run for another office, saying a seat in the U.S. Congress or Indiana Statehouse could be in his future.

Oberlie said he wouldn’t oppose Democratic Representatives Joe Donnelly or Pete Visclosky in a future race. However, he said there is a “good” chance Michigan City no longer will be part of Donnelly’s district when the Republican-led state government redraws political boundaries.

While he said he doubts he’ll run for Congress, Oberlie didn’t rule it out.

“Never say never,” he said.

Likewise, Oberlie didn’t rule out a run for state representative or state senator.

Currently, Rep. Scott Pelath and Sen. Jim Arnold represent Michigan City.

“If those positions were to become vacant, I would consider those,” Oberlie said, “but certainly, that’s down the line.”

Oberlie wants to concentrate on the remainder of his mayoral term.

Oberlie said he has about $7,000 left in his campaign war chest. He wants to close that account by the end of the year. While he ruled out contributing money to a mayoral candidate in the upcoming primary election, he might do so in a general election campaign.

Potential candidates to replace Oberlie in City Hall are emerging. So far, Common Councilmen Bob McKee and Ron Meer have made their intention to run known. Candidates have until Feb. 18 to file to run in the May 3 primary.