Libertarians Choose Rex Bell Over Jim Wallace For Governor

West Point grad and successful businessman Jim Wallace of Fishers tried unsuccessfully to run for governor as a Republican in 2012 against Mike Pence. He was tossed from the ballot after the Indiana Election Commission ruled he fell short of the 500 required signatures he needed in each of the state's nine congressional districts. Wallace's hopes of becoming a candidate for governor again this year have similarly been short-circuited as the party opts for a much lower profile candidate for the state's top office.

Spurned by the Republican Party four years ago, Wallace had set his hopes on running for governor this time as a Libertarian. With impressive credentials and the ability to self-finance his campaign, he seemed like a sure bet to be the Libertarian's choice for governor. But a self-employed construction worker from Richmond, Rex Bell, also decided to jump in the race and challenge Wallace. Supporters of Bell dragged up old domestic arrest charges filed against Wallace's ex-wife, questions about his residency (he's lived in St. Petersburg, Florida at least part of the last several years) and his commitment to the race. Delegates to this weekend's Libertarian Party Convention decided Bell was the preferable candidate for governor.