Potpourri: Oddities Add Up In Braun-Donnelly RaceIndiana’s Senate race, already a high-profile race in the country, continues to have some unique oddities.
Republican candidate Mike Braun got plenty of praise from President Donald Trump on Thursday during a rally in Evansville, but not so much earlier this week from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which chose not to endorse anyone in the race.
Braun faces Democrat Joe Donnelly in the fall election.
The chamber has endorsed Republican Senate candidates over the past eight years, so what happened?
According to a report in the Indy Star, a spokeswoman for the chamber said there were differences between the chamber's position and where the candidates stood on issues such as trade, tariffs, health care and fiscal policy.
A report on NPR specifically pointed to Braun’s support of Trump’s tariff policy, which is hurting some Hoosier farmers.
Donnelly, on the other hand, voted against Trump's tax plan, a move the chamber did not agree with.
Donnelly’s campaign then followed up with “fact checks,” referring to Trump comments made in Evansville on NAFTA, pre-existing conditions, immigration and mine workers.
On Thursday, Trump called Braun a “special guy” and said he will “be a truly great senator.” Braun, in turn, pledged to be a “true ally” to Trump, and “not somebody that says something when you're in Indiana and does something differently when you're in D.C.”
HALF THE STORY – The national media, especially on Twitter, picked up on Donnelly’s statement explaining why he didn’t watch Trump’s rally in Evansville: He said he was en route to Washington to attend Sen. John McCain's memorial services.
What didn’t get much attention was the other half of the statement, which was equally interesting, coming from a Democrat:?
“We're always happy to have president Trump in Indiana, but Hoosiers still want a senator who always puts them first before any politician or political party. They know that’s what I’ve been for them, and it’s what I’ll continue to be as their senator next year.”
The statement went on to point out that 22 of Donnelly’s legislative proposals have been signed into law in President Trump's administration and that last year, he voted with Trump 62 percent of the time.
dunkin’ Warsaw – You might have heard a Dunkin’ Donuts is planned for Warsaw. We’ve confirmed the company plans to construct a new store, but it won’t happening in the immediate future. While there is some speculation that the franchise might come to the corner of Center and Parker streets near the Owen’s Supermarket (where a discount tobacco store recently was removed), a spokesperson for the company declined comment on exactly where it will be. According to the spokesperson, the store will not open until sometime in the second half of 2019.
The company had a store in Warsaw years ago east of Kmart.
candid camera – Got a problem with a parking ticket in downtown Warsaw? We advise, as always, that you be civil in addressing your grievance with the traffic control officer.
The officer began carrying a camera that can capture parking violations, if needed, as well as interactions with the public if things get heated. The upgrade was made earlier this year, according to Mayor Joe Thallemer. Asked if it was spurred by an incident, Thallemer said he didn’t think so.
voter registration – A friendly reminder that Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in Indiana, ahead of the Nov. 6 general election.
You can check your registration status at indianavoters.com.
