House Minority Leader Pelath rules out gubernatorial run

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath says he won’t seek the Democratic nomination for governor next year.

The nine-term state representative from of Michigan City told The (Munster) Times on Wednesday that he has ruled out a run after considering it for several months and despite encouragement from supporters across the state.

Former House Speaker and 2012 Democratic nominee John Gregg and state Sen. Karen Tallian of Portage already have joined the Democratic field. State schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz has said she was considering joining the field, too.

Pelath says he believes “any seriously contested primary would hamper” Democrats’ ability to recapture the governor’s office, and the party should concentrate on narrowing the field instead of expanding it.