The filing window for Fort Wayne Community Schools board opened last week. But so far no one has turned in the paperwork to run. The deadline is Aug. 20.

Four of the seven members’ seats are up this year, all of them – assuming they run – facing their first re-election. Since 2006, board members have taken several controversial actions, including voting in favor of a $500 million school building project that was defeated in a referendum and, more recently, closing two schools and laying off numerous teachers.

Board members whose terms are up this year are Mark GiaQuinta, Pamela Martin-Diaz, Mitch Sheppard and Kevin Brown. GiaQuinta and Martin-Diaz are at-large members, representing the entire district; Sheppard and Brown represent geographical districts. Ten people ran for the two at-large positions in 2006. (Trivia note: The candidate who finished a close third back then and nearly won a spot on the board was Liz Brown, who was elected to the City Council the next year.)

FWCS is right to have its election in November, when more people vote. Districts with elections during the spring primary should change to fall elections.

He was the sheriff

A little more than three months before the election, Democrat Brad Ellsworth is hitting the airwaves heavily, with “get-to-know-me” messages that, not surprisingly, highlight not his two terms in Congress but his 25 years with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department.

In some ways, Ellsworth is getting in front of Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dan Coats, but in other ways, he’s behind. After all, Coats campaigned heavily leading up to the May primary while Ellsworth – at the time not officially nominated to run for Senate – remained silent. So Coats established – and for some older voters, re-established – name recognition then, while Ellsworth is really just starting.

With Coats apparently saving his campaign cash until closer to Election Day, Republicans have been busy criticizing Ellsworth for talking about his “25 years as a sheriff.” In fact, Ellsworth was Vanderburgh County sheriff eight years and a deputy for 17 years.

Republicans in Washington took great umbrage at Ellsworth’s words, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee distributing an Associated Press story about the issue and accusing Ellsworth of distortions. I imagine most voters will hardly notice – many Hoosiers call county police officers in brown uniforms “sheriffs” when, of course, most are deputy sheriffs.

Pillie for House?

Unless a surprise candidate files to run by Wednesday’s deadline, Derek Pillie is emerging as the favorite among four candidates in Saturday’s GOP caucus to replace state Rep. Randy Borror, both for the remainder of his term and on the November ballot.

Pillie continues to run former Congressman Mark Souder’s local office, and there is no sign that the scandal around Souder’s resignation will damage Pillie.

In fact, Pillie may get some votes from Republicans who feel bad that Souder’s actions hurt well-liked staff members such as Pillie.