Indianapolis architect James Schellinger is officially seeking the Democratic nomination for Indiana's governor in the 2008 election.
Schellinger, 46, Indianapolis, contacted the Times-Union Monday stating he has formed his committee that will allow him to pursue a gubernatorial bid."I look forward to traveling Indiana and meeting with Hoosiers to find out how we can work together to make this great state even better," Schellinger said.
Schellinger's committee, Jim Schellinger for Indiana, will be chaired by his older brother, Bob.
Indianapolis businesswoman Alpha Blackburn will serve as the committee's treasurer.
Schellinger also designated three honorary co-chairs for the committee: U.S. Rep. Julia Carson, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and former House Speaker John Gregg.
He previously met with Kosciusko County Democrat Party members during their monthly meeting March 5 to announce he was then considering running for governor.
Since the meeting, he has spent the past month meeting with and getting input from more than 200 personal friends, party supporters and elected officials to discuss a prospective gubernatorial bid.
"The more people I talk to, the more I find out about the direction Hoosiers believe this state should be headed in," Schellinger said.
"This is going to be the most exciting adventure of my life and I can't wait to get started."
Schellinger has served as president of CSO Schenkel Shultz, an Indianapolis-based architectural firm for the past 10 years.
A South Bend native, Schellinger has served on various public boards, including the Indiana Capital Development Board, Indiana Sports Corp. Board, Catholic Community Foundation Board and was a board member on the Indiana Construction Roundtable.
