Secretary Of State Candidate McKenna Visits County Democrats
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Tom McKenna is running for secretary of state, and Monday night he was in town to talk to a gathering of Kosciusko County Democrats.
McKenna said he is running, in part, because he disagrees with a new state law that requires photo IDs to cast a vote.
He cited the story of an elderly nun at St. Mary's in South Bend who was turned away from the ballots because she didn't have an ID.
"I became very concerned about the restriction placed on our access to the ballot," said McKenna. "I think the key to our democracy is the ability to vote."
McKenna also said the secretary of state serves an important purpose in elections, citing former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris and her role in the 2000 presidential election that saw Florida and the election go to George W. Bush.
McKenna has served under three governors, Evan Bayh, Frank O'Bannon and Joseph Kernan, including as Kernan's deputy chief of staff for policy.
McKenna, who now lives in Carmel, is a native of Madison and a graduate from Notre Dame, where he also earned his law degree.
Charlotte Weybright, a representative for Dr. Tom Hayhurst, was on hand to discuss Hayhurst's run for the congressional 3rd district seat.
Weybright took issue with current Rep. Mark Souder and what he has done for the 3rd district.
"We have a congressman right now who's attacking President Obama," said Weybright. "But he's not doing anything or saying anything for the 3rd district."
Weybright cited a study that five of the top 10 distressed counties in Indiana were in the 3rd district.
Weybright said Hayhurst is in favor of the public option in health care reform. He's also pro-union and supports reform to trade agreements.
Weybright noted that of people 65 and under in Kosciusko County, 17 percent are without health insurance.
Weybright said Souder is out of touch with the district.
"Every election he starts showing himself more and more," said Weybright of Souder. "All he does is talk about how bad Obama is. We really need someone like Dr. Hayhurst. He wants to listen to people."
In local government news, John Bonitati announced that he will run for the Wayne Township trustee while Jim Thompson will run for Monroe Township trustee.
County Democrats were encouraged at Monday night's meeting to bring canned goods to the group's next meeting Jan. 4.
The county Democrats meet on the first Monday of every month at the Pizza King location on East Winona Avenue. The meet and greet starts at 6 p.m. while the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
