Candidate Forum Online Friday; Demo Gov. Candidate Picks Lt. Gov.
May 9, 2020 at 12:56 a.m.
Candidate Forum Online Friday; Demo Gov. Candidate Picks Lt. Gov.
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For those with internet access, it can be viewed at https://boxcast.tv/view/kosciusko-chamber-of-commerce-candidate-forum---may-15-2020-ea1iwhb4pzqq7eblmtjp.
The Kosciusko County Bar Association and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce recently announced the rescheduling of the candidate forum that will feature the four-way race for Kosciusko County Superior Court III and several other competitive primary races.
The event will be physically closed to the public given social distancing recommendations.
Candidates participating (alphabetically) in Friday’s forum include, for Kosciusko Superior III judge, Robert Bishop, Lindsey A. Grossnickle, Karin McGrath, Chad Miner; for council at-large, Kim Cates, Kathy Groninger, Sue Ann Mitchell, Joni Truex; State Representative District 18, Russ Reahard and Craig Snow; State Representative District 22, Bill Dixon and Curt Nisly; and County Commissioner Northern District, Marcia Pifer Baumgartner and Brad Jackson.
The Indiana election primary has been moved from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 2. Early in-person voting has changed to a very limited time from May 26 to 29, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; May 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and June 1, 8 a.m. to noon.
SIDEKICKS MATTER – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has Suzanne Crouch for his lieutenant governor, and now the Democrat candidate seeking to replace Holcomb has his racing partner.
On Friday, presumptive Democratic nominee for governor Dr. Woody Myers announced that former State Rep. Linda Lawson, who served Northwest Indiana in the legislature for 20 years, is his running mate.
“Choosing a lieutenant governor is a critical task and I did not take it lightly,” Myers said in a news release issued Friday. “I talked to a lot of people over a period of months to find the right fit. Linda brings not only legislative experience and leadership, but also she has broken the glass ceiling numerous times. Linda is an example to all Hoosiers of what can be accomplished with hard work and determination. Indiana needs her intelligence and grit now more than ever and I’m honored she has agreed to be my partner on the ticket.”
“I was happy in the gorgeous southern Indiana countryside and keeping my hand in politics. But, I knew I still had a lot more to do for the people of Indiana,” said Lawson. “When Woody approached me, I was intrigued by the thought of helping Indiana recover from the coronavirus and its economic fallout. I spent several terms on the employment committee in the legislature and know that there will be important issues to deal with over the next few years as a result of the pandemic. The more we talked, the more I realized this was the right thing for me to do.”
Her selection will be affirmed by delegates at the Indiana Democratic Party State Convention, which will be held virtually on June 13.
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody issued the following statement after Lawson filed to be the Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
“Linda Lawson is a fighter. In law enforcement and at the Statehouse, she was a trailblazer and a steadfast advocate on issues like pay equity and for victims of domestic violence. Lawson brings a knowledge of the Statehouse that is second to none. In Rep. Lawson, Woody Myers gains an experienced lawmaker and a partner ready to lead on day one.”
The Indiana GOP offered a different take on Lawson’s candidacy.
"I guess someone had to do it," said Jake Oakman, communications director for the Indiana Republican Party.
A news release from the Republican Party stated that Friday’s “announcement follows an emergency meeting of the Indiana Democrat State Committee late Tuesday night, after they found nobody to run for lieutenant governor by the party's deadline. After admonishing the Woody Myers campaign to ‘get their [stuff] together,’ the party then extended the deadline to today to give their gubernatorial candidate even more time to find anyone willing to run with him.
“This chaotic announcement is the latest in a string of embarrassments for Indiana Democrats so far this year. After barely making the deadline with signatures to make the ballot, Myers incorrectly reported his fundraising totals for the first quarter of 2020. Then last month, he attempted a COVID-19 photo op that fell flat.
COMMITTEE SERVICE – Two politicians representing at least parts of Kosciusko County announced their recent appointments to committees/task forces.
A press release from his office Thursday states that “Rep. Jim Banks’ leadership on tackling the China threat was recognized today when it was announced he was selected to serve on the China Task Force with 14 of his House Republican colleagues. Members of the committee represent 14 different committees of jurisdiction. Democrats were initially working together with Republicans to form this task force, but they bailed on the project in February.”
Banks said, “I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the China Task Force. The China threat, both economically and militarily, is the greatest existential threat the United States faces today. Tackling that threat shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but sadly Democrats are unwilling to join us in addressing it.”
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) released the following statement Thursday after being appointed to serve as a member of the newly formed Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis:
“America is facing a crisis unlike any in our lifetimes, but together we will defeat this invisible enemy and make our country stronger than ever before. Our top priorities in Congress must be protecting the health and safety of the American people and working to safely reopen our nation’s economy.
“I’m grateful Leader McCarthy has appointed me to serve on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis alongside Whip Scalise. The American people deserve bipartisan cooperation to address the many challenges our nation faces – we cannot allow Speaker Pelosi to turn this subcommittee into a vehicle for conducting partisan investigations and scoring political points.
“We should focus on holding China accountable for hiding the truth about the coronavirus outbreak, ensuring the success of unprecedented relief efforts, and providing clear guidance on how to safely and responsibly restart our economy. I look forward to getting to work.”
HONOR TEACHERS – To honor our nation's teachers and commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8), U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) joined a bipartisan resolution to recognize the important work of teachers across the nation and thank them for their efforts to prepare students for success.
“Despite the challenging situation we are currently facing, teachers in Indiana and across the country remain dedicated to their students and staying connected during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Young. “This resolution honors the efforts of our teachers and their devotion to our young people.”
“Hoosier teachers have stepped up in a big way to ensure that regardless of how classes change during this time, the quality of instruction Indiana students receive remains high,” said Braun.
For those with internet access, it can be viewed at https://boxcast.tv/view/kosciusko-chamber-of-commerce-candidate-forum---may-15-2020-ea1iwhb4pzqq7eblmtjp.
The Kosciusko County Bar Association and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce recently announced the rescheduling of the candidate forum that will feature the four-way race for Kosciusko County Superior Court III and several other competitive primary races.
The event will be physically closed to the public given social distancing recommendations.
Candidates participating (alphabetically) in Friday’s forum include, for Kosciusko Superior III judge, Robert Bishop, Lindsey A. Grossnickle, Karin McGrath, Chad Miner; for council at-large, Kim Cates, Kathy Groninger, Sue Ann Mitchell, Joni Truex; State Representative District 18, Russ Reahard and Craig Snow; State Representative District 22, Bill Dixon and Curt Nisly; and County Commissioner Northern District, Marcia Pifer Baumgartner and Brad Jackson.
The Indiana election primary has been moved from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 2. Early in-person voting has changed to a very limited time from May 26 to 29, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; May 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and June 1, 8 a.m. to noon.
SIDEKICKS MATTER – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has Suzanne Crouch for his lieutenant governor, and now the Democrat candidate seeking to replace Holcomb has his racing partner.
On Friday, presumptive Democratic nominee for governor Dr. Woody Myers announced that former State Rep. Linda Lawson, who served Northwest Indiana in the legislature for 20 years, is his running mate.
“Choosing a lieutenant governor is a critical task and I did not take it lightly,” Myers said in a news release issued Friday. “I talked to a lot of people over a period of months to find the right fit. Linda brings not only legislative experience and leadership, but also she has broken the glass ceiling numerous times. Linda is an example to all Hoosiers of what can be accomplished with hard work and determination. Indiana needs her intelligence and grit now more than ever and I’m honored she has agreed to be my partner on the ticket.”
“I was happy in the gorgeous southern Indiana countryside and keeping my hand in politics. But, I knew I still had a lot more to do for the people of Indiana,” said Lawson. “When Woody approached me, I was intrigued by the thought of helping Indiana recover from the coronavirus and its economic fallout. I spent several terms on the employment committee in the legislature and know that there will be important issues to deal with over the next few years as a result of the pandemic. The more we talked, the more I realized this was the right thing for me to do.”
Her selection will be affirmed by delegates at the Indiana Democratic Party State Convention, which will be held virtually on June 13.
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody issued the following statement after Lawson filed to be the Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
“Linda Lawson is a fighter. In law enforcement and at the Statehouse, she was a trailblazer and a steadfast advocate on issues like pay equity and for victims of domestic violence. Lawson brings a knowledge of the Statehouse that is second to none. In Rep. Lawson, Woody Myers gains an experienced lawmaker and a partner ready to lead on day one.”
The Indiana GOP offered a different take on Lawson’s candidacy.
"I guess someone had to do it," said Jake Oakman, communications director for the Indiana Republican Party.
A news release from the Republican Party stated that Friday’s “announcement follows an emergency meeting of the Indiana Democrat State Committee late Tuesday night, after they found nobody to run for lieutenant governor by the party's deadline. After admonishing the Woody Myers campaign to ‘get their [stuff] together,’ the party then extended the deadline to today to give their gubernatorial candidate even more time to find anyone willing to run with him.
“This chaotic announcement is the latest in a string of embarrassments for Indiana Democrats so far this year. After barely making the deadline with signatures to make the ballot, Myers incorrectly reported his fundraising totals for the first quarter of 2020. Then last month, he attempted a COVID-19 photo op that fell flat.
COMMITTEE SERVICE – Two politicians representing at least parts of Kosciusko County announced their recent appointments to committees/task forces.
A press release from his office Thursday states that “Rep. Jim Banks’ leadership on tackling the China threat was recognized today when it was announced he was selected to serve on the China Task Force with 14 of his House Republican colleagues. Members of the committee represent 14 different committees of jurisdiction. Democrats were initially working together with Republicans to form this task force, but they bailed on the project in February.”
Banks said, “I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the China Task Force. The China threat, both economically and militarily, is the greatest existential threat the United States faces today. Tackling that threat shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but sadly Democrats are unwilling to join us in addressing it.”
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) released the following statement Thursday after being appointed to serve as a member of the newly formed Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis:
“America is facing a crisis unlike any in our lifetimes, but together we will defeat this invisible enemy and make our country stronger than ever before. Our top priorities in Congress must be protecting the health and safety of the American people and working to safely reopen our nation’s economy.
“I’m grateful Leader McCarthy has appointed me to serve on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis alongside Whip Scalise. The American people deserve bipartisan cooperation to address the many challenges our nation faces – we cannot allow Speaker Pelosi to turn this subcommittee into a vehicle for conducting partisan investigations and scoring political points.
“We should focus on holding China accountable for hiding the truth about the coronavirus outbreak, ensuring the success of unprecedented relief efforts, and providing clear guidance on how to safely and responsibly restart our economy. I look forward to getting to work.”
HONOR TEACHERS – To honor our nation's teachers and commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8), U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) joined a bipartisan resolution to recognize the important work of teachers across the nation and thank them for their efforts to prepare students for success.
“Despite the challenging situation we are currently facing, teachers in Indiana and across the country remain dedicated to their students and staying connected during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Young. “This resolution honors the efforts of our teachers and their devotion to our young people.”
“Hoosier teachers have stepped up in a big way to ensure that regardless of how classes change during this time, the quality of instruction Indiana students receive remains high,” said Braun.
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