Seybold on GOP lt. gov short list

MARION, Ind. (WANE) - The mayor of Marion confirmed to NewsChannel 15 Thursday that he is on the short list of Republican lieutenant governor candidates.

Wayne Seybold said Mike Pence's campaign broke the news to him recently. Seybold said he's excited at the prospect of becoming Pence's running mate and perhaps eventually the state's lieutenant governor.     

Now into his third term as mayor, Seybold said he feels his experience in government has prepared him to become the state's second-in-command.

"We've really concentrated on rebuilding Marion, especially in the area of economic development," said Seybold. "And I think it would be great to get in and work with the agencies to bring a lot of jobs to the state of Indiana and to work on redevelopment and ag issues and all those types of things that make our state the great state that it is." 

Pence will announce his choice by next Friday. Others mentioned as potential Pence running mates in a report Thursday by NewsChannel 15 sister station WISH-TV are state lawmaker Sue Ellspermann, businesswoman Cathy Langham, and Valparaiso Mayor John Costas. 

On the Democratic side, WISH reported gubernatorial candidate John Gregg may be looking at Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry as a potential running mate. Henry's spokesperson has not returned a request for comment.

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott and Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight were also mentioned in the report as possible running mates for Gregg.