Democrat gubernatorial candidate Jill Long-Thompson kicked off her 3rd district campaign tour Saturday morning in Warsaw.
Long-Thompson, Angola, met with approximately 50 democrats from the Kosciusko County Democrat Party at Richard's Restaurant.
Long-Thompson faces Gov. Mitch Daniels in the Nov. 4 election."This is an incredibly important election year, and I think we need to have leadership in Indiana that will take us in a new direction," Long-Thompson said.
She discussed education, the economy and healthcare.
She said Indiana needs to increase its high school graduation rate by offering more flexibility for schools and teachers and reinvesting in vocational education.
Long-Thompson said she thinks Gov. Daniels' economic leadership has failed.
"As budget director, he created a period of deficit spending and we lost 64,000 jobs in Indiana," Long-Thompson said.
She said she thinks job creation is important.
"We need an economic climate that works for businesses, and we need more tax incentives to help businesses create higher-paying jobs," Long-Thompson said.
She said Indiana's tax structure needs to be reformed and money needs to be circulating in the private sector.
Long-Thompson said an economic climate that sets Indiana apart from other states needs to be created.
She also discussed making healthcare affordable for everyone.
"We need to make it possible for every small business owner and family to be a part of a pool to purchase health insurance," Long-Thompson said.
She said a way to solve the mortgage crisis is for Indiana to adopt a program that has been used in Philadelphia. She said the program makes it possible for lenders and borrowers to have a mediator to determine if options are possible for home refinancing.
Ralph Bailey, Warsaw Community Schools interim superintendent, said he thinks Long-Thompson will make a good governor if she is elected.
Bailey was Long-Thompson's principal and superintendent when she was in school in Columbia City.
"I think Jill would be a good governor because Mitch Daniels indicates he put Indiana in the black, but he put local schools in the red and we need change," Bailey said.
Cathy Hepler, Richard's Restaurant manager, said she was happy Long-Thompson visited the restaurant.
"It was great to have her visit, and I think it was important for voters to have the opportunity to meet and speak with her," Hepler said.
Long-Thompson's mother, Jean Long, Whitley County, attended the breakfast and said her daughter would make a good governor.
"She is honest, a hard worker and knows the value of the dollar," Jean said.
