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Fort Wayne Politics reports the NE Indiana politicians on the Howey Political Report's list of the 50 most influential people in Indiana politics :

8. Mike Pence
13. Robert Meeks
23. Graham Richard
29. Mark Souder
39. David Long

The HPR has Mayor Richard on a "short list" for Governor in 2008 but says he may be limited due to health problems he has had in recent years.

UPDATE: From a FWOb reader:

Why did Fort Wayne Politics post that Howey List now? That came out 9 months ago...

MORE: The list itself, dated January 7th, 2005

8. Mike Pence

He works the media better than anyone else in the Hoosier congressional delegation. The former radio talk show host knows how to generate press not only in the district but also nationally. This skill has made him a rising conservative star and green lighted his push to join the House Republican leadership. Recently elected chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, a caucus of about 100 conservatives, he has positioned himself to be a switch hitter. He told the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in today’s editions, ““Many Republicans, even many who call themselves conservatives, have begun to see government as the solution to every social ill,” he said. “I believe this is a historic departure of the limited-government tradition of our party. We’ve got to go back to what conservatives know to be true. We’ve got to go back to fixed principles. Otherwise, I really do believe they risk electoral disaster.” He can either champion Bush policies and be a hero to the White House or he can just as easily become the loyal opposition if he thinks Bush isn't hewing to conservative principles. In fact, Bush is more likely to be stymied by the Republican right than by Democrats. Pence will be in the vanguard of the latter. His seems to have the ability to move on to a higher office. He's conservative but not scary; he wears his Christian beliefs on his sleeve but doesn't beat people over the head with them, locking up his district and earning grudging respect even from political opponents. In the near term, he needs to be careful to maintain some distance from House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is becoming radioactive even within his own party.

13. Robert Meeks (State Senator)

The LaGrange Republican got the other part of the Borst finance portfolio. But in the era of no money, there won’t be a lot of gifts to parcel out to peeping senators with nests to feed. That’s why Kenley comes first in this pecking order. Meeks has better political instincts than Kenley and is close to President Garton. We expect them to be on the same page. One note about Kenley and Meeks: If the new administration acts with hubris, we would expect them to reassert their authority if there is a lack of recognition of co-equal branches of government.

18. Patricia Miller (Commerce Secretary)

The Vera Bradley CEO from Fort Wayne came within an eyelash of becoming lieutenant governor. Now she will head up the newly revamped Commerce Department and will play a major role in the governor’s primary emphasis ... job creation.

23. Graham Richard

Commanding the state’s second largest media market and city, Richard won an impressive re-election in 2003 with a subterranean campaign that routed Linda Buskirk, whom he narrowly defeated in 1999. This after he helped steer through the annexation of 25,000 new residents in Aboite Township. A former state senator, Richard will be on early short lists for 2008 governor. He has had health problems in recent years.

29. Mark Souder

One of the most effective spokesmen for the Christian Conservative cause in Congress, Souder's political acumen is unrivaled. He can rationally and persuasively explain his right-wing views yet also vote pragmatically when the situation calls for it. His stature is growing on drug control issues and he has developed a homeland security portfolio thanks to serving on the House homeland committee. His efforts to secure thematically driven federal funding for economic development have made him a good partner for Democratic Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard. He doesn't need to worry about a legitimate challenge. Souder was appointed to head the House Steel Caucus on Wednesday.

39. David Long

He apparently is the designated and grooming successor to President Garton, having astutely maneuvered himself to take over Sen. Joe Harrison’s leadership role in the Senate GOP Caucus. He has also played a leading role in the early and growing government consolidation and reform efforts that have started in his hometown of Fort Wayne but are spreading to places like Evansville, Muncie, Indianapolis and Lake County.

Honorable Mention: Steve Shine

There are no elections this year, but Shine will be busy, planning for a 2006 Allen County straw poll convention and an ethics seminar for his party.