Potpourri: Braun Give Short Stump Speech, Disses U.S. Senate Opponents
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The three GOP U.S. Senate candidates from Indiana were invited several weeks ago to Tuesday’s forum in Warsaw. Mike Braun was the only one to take the opportunity and gave a five-minute stump speech before local candidates took the stage.
In what AP is calling the “nastiest” GOP primary this year, Braun faces Todd Rokita and Luke Messer in the fight to face Sen. Joe Donnelly in the fall.
Braun talked briefly about his business background, then turned his attention to his opponents, who have attacked his record as a former state lawmaker. Braun admitted to supporting a hike in the Indiana gas tax.
“For a fiscal hawk like myself, it was very hard,” Braun said.
He also addressed some accusations involving support for tax hikes.
“It wasn’t 47 times. It was one time. I found out in running against career politicians, they will say or do anything to try to save their skin or continue their career,” he said.
Campaign trivia – Ever wonder why Kyle Dukes chose the neon green color for his campaign signs? Turns out it’s a family tradition. His father, Doug, a two-term sheriff from Noble County, used the same color on signs for his campaign years ago.
County commissioner Bob Conley most likely would win his race if it were based on sibling votes. Growing up on his family’s farm, Bob was among 11 boys and five girls.
On Tuesday, Conley recapped life on his family farm. “You learn to share, you learn to work, you learn to participate and do your part. You learn to get up in the morning, be on task and get things done. That’s what I’ve done in this county as commissioner for you.”
Conley made the comment at Tuesday’s forum. His opponent, DeLynn Geiger, who also grew up on a farm, pointed out that he was the youngest of seven kids and offered his own homespun quip about life on a dairy farm: “We work, we eat, we sleep and we go to church.”
More endorsements -
In one intriguing endorsement, sheriff Rocky Goshert is touting his support from ... Warsaw City Council members Cindy Dobbins, Mike Klondaris, Jack Wilhite and Ron Shoemaker.
Goshert, on his campaign’s Facebook page, offered this reaction: “I appreciate the Warsaw City Council's continuing support and the opportunity to work together in addressing issues facing all of the citizens in Kosciusko County. Forward Together.”
The intrigue comes from the belief among many that Goshert’s department does not have a good working relationship with the Warsaw Police Department, whose chief, Scott Whitaker, is supporting Kyle Dukes.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer has not openly endorsed any of the four candidates.
District 18 State Rep. Dave Wolkins also scored a victory of sorts with the endorsement of Wabash Mayor Scott Long. Wolkins’ primary opponent is Russ Reahard, a part-time pastor from Wabash County.
Pricey Sign – As you may have read earlier in Potpourri, Chad Zartman raised eyebrows with his “Joe Must Go” signs, one of which was tagged by the city of Warsaw for being placed too close to the street.
This week, one of the signs on Center Street in Warsaw came up missing. Zartman filed a police report. The standard size sign – which is handmade with a stencil – was listed on the report with a value of $200.
According to Zartman, the sign was later found.
Zartman says the signs are directed at Sen. Joe Donnelly, but many speculate they could be used a year from now when municipal elections rev up. To be sure, Zartman is no fan of Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.
Pot TALK – 3rd District congressional candidate Courtney Tritch, citing a story in Forbes about the changing congressional opinions on medical marijuana, used Facebook to make it clear where she stands.
The Democratic candidate, who will likely face Rep. Jim Banks in the fall election, offered this thought: “It’s time we end the federal prohibition of cannabis, acknowledge its medical benefits and allow each state to make their own decisions regarding recreational use.”
On a related note, Michigan’s November ballot will ask if voters support legalizing recreational pot. Yatish Joshi, one of three Democrats seeking to challenge Rep. Jackie Walorski in the 2nd District, was quick to applaud the decision in Michigan, saying it was “a move in the right direction.”
