Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan ran unopposed in his party's primary, marking the first time he went before voters since he took over when former Gov. Frank O'Bannon died last year. He will seek a full term in November but he'll have to run against former White House budget director Mitch Daniels in the general election.

Daniels, who left the Bush administration to run, drew on support from President Bush to easily win Indiana's GOP nomination for governor. Daniels beat out conservative activist Eric Miller.

After support for Daniel became clear, Republican David McIntosh dropped out of the race. The three-term Congressman from eastern Indiana had won the party's nomination for governor in 2000 but lost to O'Bannon.

Before O'Bannon's death, Kernan said he would not run for governor. O'Bannon had been barred by term limits from seeking another term in office. But since taking office, Kernan decided he would run, saying he better understands the challenges Indiana faces and wants to play a role.

Indiana's 9th Congressional District will be a key race to watch in 2004. It will be a rematch pitting Democratic Rep. Baron Hill against Republican Mike Sodrel. Hill won 51-46 last time, but Bush carried the district, 56-42, four years ago. Hill voted against major Medicare legislation, one of few Democrats in potentially competitive districts to do so.

Democratic Senator Evan Bayh also faces re-election 2004, hoping to win a second-term in Congress.

In the 2002 House races, Democratic Representative Julia Carson survived a tight bid for re-election to a fourth term.