What's the real meaning?

Sometimes it's what doesn't happen that gets you thinking.

What didn't happen? Nobody filed.

In what has been one of the mostly hotly contested districts in the Indiana House of Representatives, the incumbent is so far unopposed.

For more than a decade, District 33 was one that both parties fought hard for. They spent big. They ran tough campaigns. And both parties had a degree of success.

Incumbents have usually held the edge, but they haven't been unstoppable.

Democrat Ron Liggett held the seat for years despite challenges from strong Republican candidates like Greg Beumer and Sam Shoemaker. And when Republican Bill Davis unseated Liggett, the re-matches were fierce. Last go-around, Davis faced a strong challenge from Jay County Democrat Andy Schemenaur.

And this year?

Nothing.

Zilch.

Nada.

No one stepped forward to file for the office, which represents Jay, most of Randolph, and a bit of Delaware County.

Does that mean Davis gets a free ride in 2010? Probably not. The Democratic Party can still slate an opponent for the November election.

But the absence of anyone stepping forward to file is remarkable given the intensity of the past few District 33 races.

Part of the reason may be that Bill Davis has become a stronger and stronger candidate each time he has run. Even folks who don't share his opinions like him, and he's done a good job of developing a record in the Indiana General Assembly.

Another factor may simply be that given the problems facing state government at the moment it's hard to get excited about taking on the job.

And then there's the apparent disarray in the Indiana Democratic Party. It ought to be flying pretty high given President Obama's win with Hoosiers in 2008, but Evan Bayh's retirement from the Senate and the lack of a unifying statewide Democratic leader along the lines of Bayh or the late Frank O'Bannon has the party adrift.

Whether it will be able to get itself back on course by November remains to be seen. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]