[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=40027.36

Political Notebook
LaPORTE - Debra Birkholz has announced her candidacy for the District 8 state senate seat.

Birkholz, a Democrat, who lost by one vote in a party caucus to former LaPorte County Sheriff Jim Arnold to replace the late State Sen. Anita Bowser, has announced she'll try to beat Arnold in the Democratic primary in May 2008 for the seat.

An official with the LaPorte County Democratic Party and a long-time union official, Birkholz has the endorsement of United Steelworkers District Director Jim Robinson and several retiree organizations.

Having recently retired after a 32-year career at NIPSCO, Birkholz was elected four times as president of the clerical union at NIPSCO.

"No one will ever be able to replace Anita Bowser but we do not have to lose her passion and commitment to seeing state government work for everyone," she said.