GARY | Backers of the Gary/Chicago International Airport say the recent election bodes well for the facility with an airport neighbor soon to sit in the White House and a friend of airport development getting four more years as governor.

Democratic President-elect Barack Obama flew in and out of Gary several times during the campaign, so he has firsthand knowledge of its proximity to Chicago, airport director Chris Curry said.

Even more importantly, many are speculating an Obama presidency could give the city of Chicago a leg up in landing the 2016 Olympics, Curry said. A Chicago Olympics could bring new travelers to the airport, which is just 30 minutes away from planned event venues.

"I do believe that could be the tipping point to bringing some of the types of businesses we've long expected in the vicinity of the airport," Curry said.

On the same night Obama won the White House, Indiana voters gave Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels four more years.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay recently said he and the governor are on "the same wavelength" when it comes to the airport.

Clay again expressed his warm regards when it became apparent Daniels had prevailed on election night.

"Mitch Daniels has always treated Gary, Indiana, right because each and every time we've called on Gov. Daniels, he has responded," Clay said.

In an August interview, Daniels called for changes in how the Gary airport is managed. He also said privatization of the airport holds promise for its development.

The Rev. Marion Johnson Jr., Gary airport authority chairman, said some of the governor's comments have to be understood in the context of getting out the vote in other areas of the state.

"The first thing he did as governor was direct some state funds toward the airport, and that had never been done before," Johnson said.

Local officials also are discounting any possible negative impact on Gary's plans if U.S Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., R-Ill., ends up being Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to fill the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Obama.

Jackson has been a champion of a proposed "third Chicago airport" in Peotone, Ill., which would be in direct competition with Gary.

Curry said he likes to highlight that U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., all have been champions of the Gary airport.

"I would never underestimate the capability of those guys to move this airport forward," Curry said.