One might describe it as a non-announcement announcement.

But the news release local lawyer Michael Barranda issued Sunday makes him one of the first candidates to announce his intentions for the state legislative election – in 2014.

The origin of Barranda’s announcement goes back to February, when Republican state Rep. Bob Morris launched his infamous attack on the Girl Scouts. Unfortunately, at least in the minds of some fellow Republicans, Morris’ comments came after the filing deadline for the 2012 GOP primary, automatically giving him the party’s nomination. Though he is a Republican, Barranda had said he was seriously considering running as an independent for Morris’ seat this fall.

Morris’ district is heavily Republican, so Democratic candidate Lee Jordan will face an uphill battle despite Morris’ controversial comments. The idea of a Republican challenging Morris by running as an independent was intriguing, though to win, Barranda would have had to spend much time informing voters that he is not really an independent.

Barranda was not specific in why he decided to wait to challenge Morris in the next GOP primary.

“While there has been a tremendous groundswell of support and encouragement for me to run as an Independent this fall, it is readily apparent to me that I should wait until 2014 to run in the GOP primary election,” Barranda said in the news release.

“This decision may come as a disappointment to many, but I can promise that the decision is one made based upon the best interests of me, my family and the community that I wish to one day represent.”

Mourdock and cancer

Hoosier Democrats continued their almost daily attacks on U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, who strongly condemns the national health care law. Mourdock doesn’t like the requirement that insurance plans must cover birth control – or any other specific health condition, including cancer.

“Does that employer have the right to” not cover cancer, he asked the New Albany News and Tribune. “I would say yes they do if they want to keep their health care costs down but it also means it’s less likely you’re going to want to work here. If that employer wants to get the best employees coming in the door, he’s going to offer the best insurance possible.”

True, but countless Hoosiers don’t have the many employment options that a longtime government official like Mourdock has.

Bopp beat

The Indiana Republican Central Committee has replaced Terre Haute attorney James Bopp Jr. – known nationally for his efforts to strike down limits on campaign contributions and locally for being Matt Kelty’s attorney for a time – as the state’s national committeeman. John Hammond, a district GOP chairman, replaces him. National committeewoman Dee Dee Benkie was also replaced, by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.

Both Bopp and Benkie were Mourdock supporters in the May primary, while Skillman and Hammond backed incumbent Richard Lugar. Bopp described his replacement as “revenge” for his support of Mourdock. Though no longer a committeeman, Bopp still hopes to influence the Republican National Committee platform as an adviser for the pro-tea party group FreedomWorks.