Two well-known Republican women are eyeing Allen County Council President Paula Hughes will announce her candidacy for mayor next week. Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Liz Brown is considering running. Either one could become the first woman to be elected mayor. “There are a lot of republican women nationwide that are making history,” said Hughes. Hughes set up a campaign website earlier this year. A victory would mean becoming the first female to serve a full term as mayor. The only other woman in the post, Cosette Simon, served for just 11 days—between the time then-Mayor Win Moses resigned and was elected again in a special election. “It would be nice, I think, to have a female mayor,” said Hughes. “But I think that's incidental to really what my campaign's all about.” Also considering running is Hughes' next door neighbor, City Councilwoman Liz Brown. “We share a fence line. That makes it interesting. Hopefully we'll be able to maintain it. Maybe we'll both put some motion sensor lights in our yard, I don't know,” joked Hughes. Brown declined to be interviewed for this story, saying it would be premature. She's been a vocal critic of the current administration. Brown recently ran to replace former Congressman Mark Souder. She came in fourth out of 15 Republicans. “It looks like 2011 is going to be yet another exciting election year,” said Steve Shine, Allen County Republican chairman. Shine says Eric Doden of Ambassador Investments may also jump in the race. Republicans will choose a candidate in the primary next May. “Each candidate really needs to grab a hold of their supporters and move forward if they want to prevail in 2011,” said Shine. FOX Fort Wayne reached out to Mayor Tom Henry's office. A spokesman says the mayor has not decided whether he will run for re-election.
