Kernan names lieutenant governor

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan has selected a woman who once built diesel engines in Columbus, Ind., and later served as the state's budget director to be his lieutenant governor. \nKatherine Davis will be the first female lieutenant governor in Indiana history if she is confirmed by the Indiana General Assembly.\nLegislators of both houses will convene a special session Oct. 20 to vote on the ratification. \nHouse speaker Patrick Bauer said he predicts she will be confirmed by a nearly unanimous vote. \nDavis has a degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. She moved to Indiana in 1982 to improve diesel engines for the Cummins Engine Co. \nDavis has served as the deputy commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation and as the Secretary of the Family and Social Services Agency, the largest state agency. She presently serves as the controller for the city of Indianapolis, a job she has held for four years.\nDavis pledged herself Thursday to boosting the state's economy and improving the quality of life in Indiana.\n"I bring my whole heart to this job," she said.\nKernan and Davis first worked together in 1999 on the 21st Century Fund, which encourages collaboration between universities and businesses to create high-tech jobs.\n"I recognized how talented she was at bringing people together and building consensus," Kernan said. "She is as good as they come."\nKernan said his search for a lieutenant governor began with finding someone with whom he could work and who could step into his shoes in case of an emergency. \nHe first approached Davis about the possibility of becoming the lieutenant governor Sept. 30.\n"As I worked my way through, it became more and more comfortable that (she) was the right decision," Kernan said. \nHe officially asked her Wednesday in a hand-delivered letter.\nRepublicans and Democrats alike praised Davis as a competent administrator with a strong grasp of the economy.\n"I think she is a brilliant choice," state Representative Sheila Klinker said. "She has worked in government for over 20 years and has done a super job at whatever task she was given."\nThursday's crowd at the Indiana Statehouse was at times almost boisterous. \nAmong Davis' loudest supporters were the city employees she works with in Mayor Bart Peterson's office. \n"Kathy is about as smart as they come," said Beth White, who along with the other city employees wore a "Go Kathy" sticker on her chest. "She is absolutely committed to government and to doing what's right for the people of Indiana."\nPeterson gave his blessings to his now-former city controller, who he called "irreplaceable."\n"She was an inspiring decision," Peterson said. "I'm very happy for the state."\nThe lieutenant governor of Indiana presides over the Indiana State Senate. Under the state constitution, Davis will also serve as the head of the Indiana Department of Commerce, the commissioner of agriculture and the chair of the Indiana Counter-Terrorism and Security Council.\nKernan declared last year that he would not run for governor in the 2004 election. After taking over for the late Gov. Frank O'Bannon in September, Kernan and his wife, Maggie, have indicated that he is rethinking that decision.\nLegislative leaders said Thursday they did not see Davis as a potential running mate. \nKernan said the two have not discussed a 2004 run. \nSaid Davis, "We'll be talking I'm sure"