NAPPANEE -- Mayor Larry Thompson has no interest in running for Jackie Walorski's seat in the Indiana General Assembly.

If Walorski leaves to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly in the Second Congressional District, that is.

"I'm staying home and taking care of things in Nappanee," Thompson told The Elkhart Truth on Wednesday.

The fourth-term mayor said he's recently been contacted by several people and organizations, asking if he's mulling a run for higher office. The inquiries made by individuals, Thompson said, seem to be from people interested in the seat themselves.

Walorski, R-Elkhart, has formed a committee to explore the viability of her candidacy against the two-term incumbent Donnelly, a Democrat.

The thought of a new campaign wasn't one he'd considered much, he said. Given the economic struggles of the city, he said, now would not be the time to leave Nappanee.

"I'm very content," said Thompson, up for re-election in 2011. "I've got the best political job there is."

Thompson said his name was kicked around in 2004 as a possible successor to former state Rep. Dick Mangus, who vacated his seat before the 2004 election. Thompson said he didn't go for it because Walorski ran, and she's ended up doing "just a great job."

The uncertainty of the redistricting process that will occur after the 2010 Census is another reason to avoid a campaign, Thompson said. He's just a "stone's throw" into Walorski's current district, he said, and what district he will fall in for the 2012 election is anyone's guess.

Walorski's House District 21 covers part of the southern half of St. Joseph and Elkhart counties, including sections of Mishawaka, Elkhart, Nappanee, Jimtown and Wakarusa.

Thompson said he believes the Republicans will field a strong replacement if one is needed. But it won't be him.

"I sure hope that the party can control that seat," he said. "I'm just not interested. I haven't paid that much attention to it."