A few nights ago, I cohosted a fundraiser for Jennifer McCormick, the Democratic candidate for governor of Indiana. I also had the privilege of introducing her to a large and enthusiastic crowd of attendees. As I said in those brief introductory remarks–and as I have previously noted here– this year, the Indiana Democratic Party is running an absolutely first-rate statewide ticket—a ticket that is an immense contrast to the Indiana Republican Party’s all-MAGA theocratic nightmare.
I first admired McCormick when she served as Superintendent of Public Instruction—a position that I will note gave her responsibility for managing half of the state budget. Jennifer came to that position with deep experience as a public school superintendent. She understood not just the importance of public education to the quality of civic life, but also the critical importance of an educated populace to successful economic development.
Her experience as Superintendent, serving in a Republican administration alongside our Republican super-majority legislature, also taught her something many others of us have come to understand— the current Republican Party is no longer a traditional political party. MAGA Republicans are a cult, and they are the enemy not just of public education, but of racial and religious inclusion and civil liberties— values that Jennifer and I support.
Those very American values require a vigorous defense of public education, the restoration of women’s reproductive rights, protection of workers’ right to unionize and demand fair wages, and an accountable and fiscally responsible state government.
Too many non-MAGA Republicans have simply gone along with the party’s transformation, despite displaying some level of discomfort. Instead, like many other former Republicans (including yours truly) Jennifer McCormick acted on the basis of her values, and left the GOP.
Every opinion survey I’ve seen confirms the fact that the values I share with Jennifer are also shared by a majority of Hoosiers. I am absolutely convinced that if she has the resources to get her message out, she will defeat MAGA Mike Braun.
And that brings me to a point I’ve previously emphasized: the greatest asset possessed by Braun and his merry band of theocrats is the defeatism of Indiana’s long-suffering Democrats. Several commenters have posted here about the relative lack of communication they have seen thus far from the Democratic ticket. The obvious reason for the imbalance is access to resources. Those shiny television ads touting Republicans like Jim Banks (while ignoring his offensive assaults on women and gay folks) are funded by the billionaires and their superPACs who stand to gain financially by a GOP victory. When Hoosier Democrats send their donations to campaigns in other states, where they think those dollars will make more of a difference, they play into Republican hands.
There is cause for hope, however. The recent change at the head of the national ticket, and the enormous outpouring of money and volunteers and enthusiasm for Kamala Harris has invigorated state-level tickets, too. (Interestingly, there doesn’t seem to be as much misogyny as we saw when Hillary Clinton was the nominee–actually, women candidates may even have an advantage this year. Female voters may yet save America…)
Our fundraiser the other night raised close to our admittedly ambitious goal, and other scheduled events promise to match or exceed that amount. The Democrats running statewide in Indiana don’t need to match the millions that will be available to the GOP candidates who are wholly-owned by the plutocrats; they just need enough to communicate their positions to the voters. (And unlike state legislative candidates, statewide candidates cannot be gerrymandered by our self-serving legislators, which is a huge advantage.)
A timeless political theme is also appropriate here: it’s time for a change.
Indiana has been run by Republicans for some twenty years, and during that time, our economy has sputtered. We have a lower quality of life than our neighboring states. We have repeatedly failed to protect the most vulnerable of our citizens. We’ve stripped women of their most fundamental right–the right to control their own bodies. Republicans in Indiana consistently work to benefit the haves and just as routinely ignore the needs of those who have little. They criticise “welfare” while offering welfare to upper-middle class parents via vouchers, and welfare to businesses promising to locate here. (Evidently, it’s only “welfare” when it goes to “those people.”)
If you agree with me that it is definitely time for a change, donate to Jennifer. And vote Blue up and down the ballot.
I am holding a Postcard Writing Party for Dr. Valerie McCray, who is running for US Senate, at the new Glendale Public Library Monday, from 1-3 pm. While I was scheduling the room with the reference librarian, a woman was listening to me, and she asked me “there is a Democrat running for the Senate in Indiana? I did not know you could do that!”
I have been asking people I meet lately if they know who is running for the Senate, and no-one knows. Valerie McCray is running for the Senate against Jim Banks. Destiny Wells is running for Attorney General. Jennifer McCormick is running for governor. Kiley Adolph is running for the US House (to replace the odious Jim Banks, which would be a great result but the 3rd District is bright Red).
We must get their names out to people who don’t know them. GOTV! And share the names everywhere!
Of the candidates being mentioned for Harris’ VP, I like Josh Shapiro by far the least, and it’s largely because of his ideas about education. He is a huge fan of voucher programs and charter schools. My feelings on vouchers and charter schools match very well with the views expressed on this blog: _very_ negative. This is a big red flag to me.
I should add that there have been attacks on Shapiro for being a Zionist, but those seem mostly unfair. He has been more critical than I’d like of the various pro-ceasefire (i.e. aka pro-Palestinian) protests, but that’s relatively minor. His general positions on the Middle East are fairly standard across the Democratic party. Some people also call out an article he wrote for his university newspaper when he was 20–and it _was_ pretty lousy–but it’s ridiculous to pin that on him. He was still a kid, and that was decades ago. Attacks based on that old article reek of antisematism to me.
James Todd can anyone join your postcard party on Monday? I signed up online to volunteer for the McCormick campaign and have heard nothing from them! I want to be involved to help Indy Democrats!
Thank you Sheila for explaining our political climate in Indiana. Jennifer McCormick is the real deal, a leader that can bring positive progress to Indiana. Donate to the McCormick campaign at the link in the blog.
John H; Shapiro appears to me to be presenting himself. in his mind only, as the presumptive choice as Kamala Harris’ running mate. IMHO Mayor Pete and Mark Kelly are the top contenders; I do have concerns about losing Senator Kelly to the campaign would weaken the already weakened Democratic Senate. I had the same concerns regarding Kamala; supporting her as Joe’s choice of running mate but losing her strong voice in the Senate…which obviously needs to be strengthened or it will be lost to the MAGAs.
I continue donating what I can to local Democratic candidates; we need to strengthen the state of Indiana internally as well as at the federal level where we aren’t worth mentioning in this current election year which will save or lose our rights as America and Americans.
My dream ticket is Kamala and Pete. It’s two of the most articulate individuals in this country. It would not affect Democratic numbers in any chamber in the country. That’s the dream, but I don’t think it will happen, so I’ll accept whoever is the choice. Foghorn Leghorn would be better than the self serving Hillbilly Vance.
I would say Indiana’s political races definitely got a boost when Biden dropped out. Kamala is younger and female, which should help with the issues of identity politics. Turnout is key for Democrats, and voters will turn out for Kamala, but they would have stayed home against Biden. Now, I want to hear Kamala articulate her policy objectives instead of riding the wave of identity politics.
The right-wing is painting her as an extreme left-winger, even a Marxist. If that were true, this country might have a chance of turning things around before the oligarchy collapses on the world stage.
We are burying ourselves in sanctions against the world. It’s funny when I hear another round of sanctions coming, with the Western press clamoring about how the US/EU are isolating the Russians but failing to mention that the combined populations of the EU and US only represent 10% of the world. That means 90% of the world is working with Russia, including China and India.
I’d also like to see Pete Buttigieg as Veep, but he was my choice for POTUS. The primaries and convention don’t matter much anymore. So much for that “democracy thingy” the media likes to scare people about.
Trump and Vance have been getting hammered by the liberal press for the past several weeks. Can Kamala’s momentum last another 90 days?
Thanks for the reminder. Donated!
One mo time…drum roll please: postcards to registered DEMs get the base out BUT it is the largest “party” (independents, non-affiliated, given ups) that will make the difference. Find them, tell them in real examples how their lives, could change for the worse with the GOP in charge. “Base”ball is a losing game in purple and red states.
Lester’s advice applies beyond Indiana, of course, but I hope, given Sheila’s advocacy for Jennifer McCormick, and the solid, solid reasons for it, will get that “other party” to weigh in on the right side: Elect a Democratic governor and enough members of the state legislature to prompt Indiana’s rebirth!!
I had the good fortune to attend the event Sheila hosted. Jennifer McCormick is impressive. When you hear her speak about the problems Indiana faces, you see the real passion she has for all Hoosiers, especially children. It was difficult to imagine her as a former Republican, especially when compared to today’s Republican party. When you think of the reasonable, patriotic Republicans from years ago who actually had the good of the community in their hearts, it then makes sense. McCormick appeared to have command of all the issues a governor would face, not just those from her past in education. I want to spread the word on her as widely as possible.
Checks written to Jennifer, Valerie, and Destiny. In mail today.
Let’s go Ladies
Education should be the #1 issue in the Indiana governor’s race, and McCormick is by far the superior candidate from the standpoint of knowledge and experience. Republicans in Indiana want to dumb down requirements for a high school diploma. Meanwhile, the percentage of Indiana high school grads who go on to college is declining, especially for male grads.
@Holly Brunner, I am the Treasurer for Valerie McCray. If you will email me at mary@valeriemccray.org, I will connect you with our volunteer coordinator. We can use all of the help that we can get.
JoAnn, my first choice is Andy Beshear. Shapiro has cancelled some upcoming commitments that conflict with Kamala’s announcement, and the announcement is being made in his state, Pennsylvania. These are suggestive indicators, but neither proves it’s Shapiro.
Peggy and Todd, I really like Pete. He is definitely a quick thinker, and an articulate speaker. In a debate, he would take apart Vance much like Kamala will take apart Trump. However, I wonder if the fact that he’s gay will count against him? In a better world, it absolutely wouldn’t. But in this world, I wonder if the campaign would worry that his inclusion would add too much “otherness” to the ticket, and bring out more of the hidden bigots among us to vote against them. (I agree. Foghorn Leghorn would be miles better.)
Todd, I think as long as Vance is on the ticket, they’ll continue to get hammered. He _is_ weird, and seriously off-putting to normal people. Trump is screwed in this regard. If he dumps him, it’ll be (rightly) treated as a strike against his competence, and if he keeps him, Vance’ll drag down the ticket. For me, the fact that Trump picked Vance is a strike against his competence. Another one, in an endless stream of them. I swear the universe will end before they do. In any case, I hope they keep him; he’s a walking disaster. It’s also a little ironic that Vance is receiving backlash from some MAGA people as well; his wife is of Indian descent, and that’s causing… unhappiness… for some of the many racists in the MAGA base.
I’m a Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota fan for VP. If you listen to the interview with Ezra Klein on the NYT, you would find a person who grew up in a rural community of 400 people, who understands how to win in a red state and values bread and butter issues and can articulate them in plain speech. Free lunch regardless of income, so kids can learn and not be separated by income. Paid family leave, gun control (and he’s a gun owner), support public schools, etc. I’m impressed!