Portage lawmaker changes mind about resignation

PORTAGE, Ind. – Duane Cheney resigned from the Indiana House of Representatives last week.\nNow he's changed his mind.\nCheney still plans to move to a house he bought near Bloomington, but he thinks he can still represent his constituents in Portage and some surrounding townships in northwestern Indiana's Porter County.\n"I would be a little less available, but I think I would still be more available than the majority of the legislators who live in their districts," Cheney said.\nHe sent a letter Wednesday to House Speaker Pat Bauer and Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker asking that his resignation be rescinded. Cheney said the state Constitution only stipulates a representative live in the district he serves for at least a year before his election. He was first elected in 1988.\nBut he can't just rescind his letter of resignation. He must convince 10th District Democratic precinct committeemen that he's still the man for the job when they meet on Saturday. Because he officially resigned, Cheney has to run to get his seat back.\nCheney said he changed his mind because he wants what's best for the residents of the district. But Porter County code enforcement officer Jack Clem, who has filed his candidacy for the seat, believes Cheney is running again to block him from getting it.\nCheney had endorsed Portage Director of Community Development A.J. Monroe to succeed him.\nClem said he has the support of enough committeemen to beat Monroe, and Cheney knows it, prompting Cheney to attempt a return and Monroe to withdraw his candidacy.\nCheney said Clem's candidacy had no bearing on his decision.\nJennifer Wagner, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Democratic Party, said it will be up to the precinct committee chairmen to decide whether they will accept Cheney's request to rescind his resignation. If they do, she said, Cheney will regain his House seat.\nIf they don't, the caucus will move forward in choosing Cheney's successor.