In White's wake, questions remain

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indiana Democratic Party went to court Monday in an effort to win control of the secretary of state's office.

Republican Secretary of State Charlie White was removed from office when he was convicted of voter fraud Saturday. The governor wasted no time naming Jerry Bonnet, a Republican, as his interim replacement.

Then, on Sunday, White was on Fox News accusing the governor of crimes.

"Mitch Daniels has voted incorrectly - according to the standards put on me - the last 10 straight elections," White said.

“He votes down at the governor's mansion, where everyone knows he does not live," White said. "The local media will not talk about this, because, again, it's inconvenient."

All this takes place at the busiest time for those who work in the secretary of state's office. Candidates, including Mike Pence this morning, are streaming in ahead of Friday's filing deadline for the May primary.

Bonnet has his hands full. The man who was White's chief of staff conducted a staff meeting Monday morning but wouldn't talk to the media. Staff members said the office is going about business as usual.

And Monday afternoon, Democrats who believe their candidate in 2010, Vop Osili, should be the secretary of state asked the state appeals court to make that possible.

"There's no case against Vop Osili becoming secretary of state," said State Democratic Chairman Dan Parker. "The case was that, according to the Republican Party, Charlie White was properly registered. We now know a jury has convicted him."

Democrats hope to see Osili named secretary of state yet this week.

Finally, Hamilton County Judge Steve Nation set Feb. 23 as the date for Charlie White's sentencing.