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Becky Skillman, Republican nominee for lieutenant governor and state senator (Bedford), addressed the GOP's Hall of Fame attendees Thursday at 2517 Restaurant, Warsaw.
Skillman, named Mitch Daniels' running mate in May, said after 15 years in the House and 12 in the Senate, "I thought I knew Hoosiers."
She called traveling 23,000 miles in three months and meeting thousands more Indiana residents the most rewarding experience of her life.
The senator said she knew municipalities and county governments are constantly being asked to do more with less, a condition she experienced as president of the Association of Indiana Counties, and still holds true today.
"I promise you we will have better intergovernment communications," she said of the Daniels administration.
She said she was alarmed about the large degree of apathy among registered voters, giving statistics about past presidential-year elections.
"In 1960, 63 percent of registered voters participated; in 2002, only 51 percent of registered voters voted at a rate of 49 percent in Indiana. In the 1890s, 70 to 80 percent of voters voted."
She said in European countries, 80 percent of the voters always turn out.
"Encourage the young people to vote. Public service is more important now than ever before."
She said the best defense against international terrorism is to carry on business, be true to your beliefs and be grateful for your freedom.
State Rep. Bill Ruppel handed out round stickers reading "54 in '04," which indicated the number of Republican House members the party is seeking to elect. The GOP would then have a majority in the House and Senate and in the governor's office.
Jean Northenor named Laurie Renier and Jim Howard as this year's Hall of Fame recipients.
Republican party candidates present at the dinner were introduced: Ryan Mishler, state Senate District 9; David A. Wolkins, state representative for District 18; William Ruppel, state representative for District 22; William C. Friend, state representative for District 23; Robert Sanders and Larry Teghtmeyer, Kosciusko County council at-large candidates. Allison McSherry spoke on behalf of Mark Souder, candidate for U.S. Representative, District 3.
Other candidates are Robert Meeks, state senate District 13; Thomas Weatherwax, state senate District 18; Sharon Christner, circuit court clerk; Kent Adams, county treasurer; John Sadler, county coroner; Richard Kemper, county surveyor; Brad Jackson, county commissioner northern district; Ronald Truex, county commissioner middle district; and Thomas Anglin, county council at-large.
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