Democrat Jose Evans will file the paperwork tomorrow to establish an exploratory committee to run for Mayor next year.

The Democratic member of the City County Council starts out well behind Brian Williams and Melina Kennedy and maybe even Ron Gibson.

This looks like a guy with an ulterior motive, like picking up some name ID for a future race.

Brian Williams, the Democrat running for Mayor of Indianapolis not the anchorman, filed his campaign report early seeking headlines that show he raised $150,000 and has two-thirds of it still available.

Melina Kennedy supporters report that their Democratic candidate has raised $250,000 and has $220,000 on hand.

I think Democrats see opportunity in 2011.

Democrat Melina Kennedy just issued a news release boasting of a Bart Peterson endorsement in the race for Mayor of Indianapolis.  The release comes after blog postings on at least one Democratic website last week that hinted the endorsement was on the way.

So what’s it worth?

First, since Kennedy was Peterson’s deputy mayor there is no shock value here.  Second, Peterson lost the last race for mayor, that could affect the electoral value.

However, we’re talking about a Democratic primary race here and Peterson still holds some sway those folks, presumably. 

Issuing it now is no doubt aimed at keeping new candidates out of the race.

Melina Kennedy is touting support from Kip Tew this morning.

The Democratic candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis cites Tew’s involvement in the Obama campaign in calling it a key endorsement.  When Tew dropped his own bid for mayor he said that Kennedy had too big a head start.

BTW, Kennedy is using Facebook to spread the word.

Former State Democratic Chairman Kip Tew will not run for Mayor of Indianapolis in 2011.

Tew pulled the plug on his exploratory campaign tonight, much as Joe Hogsett did recently.  It helps clear the field for former deputy mayor Melina Kennedy, who continues to garner front runner status. 

Tew, meantime, may now be available for a White House appointment.  He was the point man for the Obama campaign in Indiana in2008.

Melina Kennedy will make the filing necessary to create an exploratory committee for the 2011 race for Mayor tomorrow.

The former deputy mayor and unsuccessful candidate for prosecutor joins venture capitalist Brian Williams in the category of formal candidate.  Kip Tew, Joe Hogsett, Jose Evans, and Woody Myers are other Democrats who see Republican incumbent Greg Ballard as vulnerable.   They have all been testing the waters.

Ballard is preparing for a re-election bid.