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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA top Republican state senator says he has decided he won't try to become the next mayor of Indianapolis.
Sen. Jim Merritt said Tuesday he had given careful deliberation of a campaign for mayor, but the four-month-long legislative session starting in January would prevent him from being able to hit the ground running ahead of next November's election.
Merritt was first elected to the state Senate in 1990 and is the majority caucus chairman.
No prominent Republicans have started campaigns to replace Mayor Greg Ballard, who announced month that he wouldn't seek election to a third term in 2015.
Former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett is the only current Democratic candidate after state Rep. Ed DeLaney dropped out a couple of weeks ago.
Former Indiana Republican Chairman and State Senator Murray Clark also announced last month that he would not run for the office.
Pastor Charles Harrison, head of the Ten Point Coalition, said he might run as an independent.
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