The Senate District 17 candidates will debate live at the Merillat Centre for Arts on the campus of Huntington College and broadcast here on Hoosier Access!

The forum will include Whitley County Councilman Jim Banks, Huntington resident and Coffee D’Vine owner Ron Fusselman, and Huntington County Commission President Tom Wall, as well as any candidate that is announced prior to the forum.

Dr. Dwight Brautigam, professor of history and chair of the Department of History and Political Science, will host the event, with Gary L. Snyder of HuntingtonPolitics.com and Kris Underwood, radio personality, acting as the candidate moderator and the audience moderator, respectively.

Scheduled start time of the debate is 7:00pm.

Tonight, precinct committeemen from Marion and Hamilton Counties met to select a new State Senator for District 30 to replace Teresa Lubbers. On the second ballot, by a margin of 61 to 38, former City-County Councilman Scott Schneider defeated City-County Councilman Ryan Vaughn (who works at Barnes & Thornburg, was endorsed by Mayor Greg Ballard, and was generally seen as the establishment choice).

Former state representative John Ruckelshaus (who lost to Lubbers in the primary in the district when it was an open seat) was eliminated on the first ballot. The margin on that ballot showed Schneider with 49 votes, Vaughn with 37, Ruckelshaus with 12, and one ballot spoiled. Vaughn gained only one vote on the second ballot; apparently either all of Ruckelshaus’ supporters voted for Schneider on the second ballot, a substantial number of Vaughn’s supporters bailed and deserted him, or there was a good bit of bandwagoning (or all of the above).

Hoosier Access streamed the caucus live online, including the pre-vote speeches of each candidate, and had interviews with all three of the candidates.

This election marks but the latest time that the Indianapolis establishment has gone to bat in a caucus, convention, or primary, only to be decisively sent packing by the party base. Indeed, Scheider’s margin of victory–61 to 38–isn’t all that different from Greg Zoeller’s 60% to 40% convention victory over Jon Costas in June of last year.

Time and again, “wiser” insiders in Indianapolis have tried to pick winners in these contests. Time and again, they have been defeated. Delph beat Randolph, Walker beat Garton, Bailey beat Kellems, Leising beat Sponsel, Zoeller beat Costas, and now Schneider beat Vaughn.

Read more after the leap.

Jackie Walorski (R-21) talks to Hoosier Access about her effort in the General Assembly to strip Planned Parenthood of state funding.

Podcast: Play in new window

I think we know that I’m for the government reform proposals backed by Governor Daniels.  What continues to evade me is how legislators, who seem to have a firm grasp of the economic situation our state and nation are facing refuse to back reforms that intend to make our government more streamlined, more efficient and more cost effective.

Not to be callous to the some of the concerns among legislators, Governor Daniels, in his state of the State address said:

As intended at the outset, we have all had a full year to study the report and meditate on its recommendations. The public has spoken loudly, in referenda, in opinion surveys, and in the most recent general election, each time in clear favor of change. The hour for action has arrived.

After a year of listening to you, to local officials, and to our fellow citizens, I have sent you a package comprising some two-thirds of the (Kernan-Shepard) Commission’s 27 recommendations, either as proposed or in some close variation. Treat it as a starting point, but please treat it seriously, in a spirit of reform. This area is ideally suited to bipartisan cooperation and craftsmanship. Let’s move forward together, and boldly. The only motion out of order is no motion at all.

It would appear as if legislators aren’t taking this issue seriously as some of the legislation they are counter-proposing would move local government reform about as fast as bone turning into fossil.

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Reports:

(Read more after the leap)

Thanks to Josh for that warm welcome.

Since we are just a few months away from the 2010 census, most Census Bureau documents are a wee bit old. But this 2002 report on how local governments are organized has one revealing paragraph:

“Only one state, Indiana, has township governments covering
all its area and population. In six states (Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, and Wisconsin), operating towns or townships
comprise all territory other than that served by municipalities.
The same is true for Maine, except for unorganized
territory that lacks any local government. Of the remaining
12 town or township states, there are 10 where this type
of government occurs only in certain county or countytype
geographic areas as of early 2002: Illinois, in 85 of
the 102 county-type areas; Kansas, in 95 of 105; Minnesota,
in 85 of 87; Missouri, in 22 of 115; Nebraska, in 27
of 93; North Dakota in 48 of 53; Pennsylvania, in 66 of 67;
South Dakota, in 52 of 66; and Wisconsin, in 71 of 72. In
New York, town governments exist in each county outside
New York City.”

The report is less clear on County trends, but on one half of the Consolidations debate, Townships look like a loser.

Tuesday night was not a good night for Republicans, with Barack Obama winning 52% of the popular vote and winning the Electoral College in a landslide. This was not a surprise to me, after the Republicans nominated a moderate who has frequently clashed with the Republican base. And while some might want to argue that Sarah Palin hurt John McCain with moderate voters, the elections results in California serve as evidence to the contrary.

Obama obliterated McCain in California, 6,219,123 to 3,777,314. But Californians voted to ban homosexual marriage, 5,376,424 to 4,870,010, according to CNN’s election website. That means a significant number of Obama supporters also voted to prevent government from recognizing homosexual marriage. Keep in mind that Barack Obama was opposed to the California ballot initiative. A ban on homosexual marriage also passed in Florida, 4,717,753 to 2,883,847. While a moderate Republican lost convincingly nationwide, socially conservative ballot initiatives did well.

The results in California are encouraging to those of us who have been working against efforts to radically redefine marriage to something other than the union of one man and one woman. Even in a very liberal state known for sending Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer to represent them in Washington, voters were not willing to see government recognize homosexual marriage. It is also significant that the vote invalidated any “marriages” that took place after the California Supreme Court ruled that a previous state law approved by the voters was unconstitutional. With the ban on homosexual marriage now part of California’s constitution, that is no longer an option.

(Read more after the leap)

(Post updated to reflect Democrat Scott Reske’s victory in HD 37 after barely holding off Republican challenger Kelly Gaskill)

Here is a note to my fellow conservatives and Republicans.

I did not have the highest of expectation for last night.  I had hope that John McCain might some how pull off a miracle (because really that’s what he needed to win), but it wasn’t a lot of hope.  And like many of you who may have stayed up fairly late (after the webcast which ended at midnight, I went out and picked up yard signs to get some much needed alone time) I’m still recovering from yesterday’s action.  But I came to this conclusion.

It’s time to face the facts.  Barack Obama will be our 44th president.  And a historic congratulations should be sent his way.  But we should take solace in the fact that Democrats did not net major gains in the House or get their filibuster proof Senate, though they could still up with (a worst case scenario) 59 seats.

But there were some positives for us as well last night.  Governor Daniels smoked Jill Long Thompson (no surprise there) and Greg Zoeller and Tony Bennett won their statewide races.  The Indiana House will end up with only one seat gained by the Democrats after much hand wringing they could end up with as many as a three to four seat gain. On the congressional level.  Everybody stayed the same.  Many thought Congressman Souder could be a loss in the Republican column, but he showed his tenacity and didn’t just win by a small margin, he kicked his young upstart opponent to the curb.

But now onto my message.

Fellow Republicans, this is no time to give up.  This is also no time to resort to childish pettiness, bemoaning and name calling that the left resorts to when they lose.  This is a time to step up!  We do have a lot of ground to make up nationally, and while our state still leans red, it certainly is becoming a closely and evenly divided state.

We need to re-energize our base and return to what made our party great!  I encourage our state and national Republicans to return to the principles and virtues of the Contract with America.  We need to raise the level of discourse on the issues that matter most to Americans at this time; the economy and energy independence.  And while I believe social values cannot be ignored (though we must never give up on the issue of Abortion), we must understand, as a Party, that in these tough economic times, voters are thinking mostly with their wallets.  We must return to a message of fiscal restraint.  We must hammer the message of an “all of the above’ approach to energy independence.  We must hold our new President’s feet to the fire when it comes to the issues of coal and nuclear power.  Nothing can be off the table if we want to break free from the shackles of foreign oil.  President-Elect Obama seeks energy independence, but he must seek all avenues, closing off nothing.

We lost the American’s public’s faith in us when we lost our way as a party.  We have only ourselves to blame for the situation we are in.  Now is the time to make up for our past mistakes.  Now is the time to take action and to be the party of solutions and ideas.  We gave that away, but it’s time to take it back!

(But should you need it, here is Red State’s Obama Administration Survial Guide)

I received a mail piece recently from State Senator Vi Simpson regarding how homeowners can avoid foreclosure. This mailer, sent to constituents across the 40th State Senate district, is not unusual. It just happened to arrive several weeks before Senator Simpson is up for re-election.

And there is the problem. In reality, these mailers are little more than taxpayer-financed campaign mailers for incumbent state legislators. In fairness to Senator Simpson, both parties in both houses take advantage of their ability to spend taxpayer dollars budget to send these “informational” mailers to their constituents. But the practice is still wrong, fiscally irresponsible and undemocratic. It needs to end.

(Read more after the leap)

This morning we held a press conference in South Bend in which I officially announced to the public that I am running for the Indiana House of Representatives in House District 7. The South Bend Tribune and the Howey Report have both posted items about the event, and I expect more coverage from WSBT Radio, WSBT TV, ABC 57, the South Bend Tribune and perhaps others. For more information on my campaign check out my website at www.DanHerbster.com. On the website you can find out more about the campaign, and you can make a safe and convenient contribution (hint, hint) via paypal or via check.

I hope to have photos (and maybe video) of the event posted soon on the website and on our “Dan Herbster for State Representative” facebook group. Here’s the official press release:

Dan Herbster is honored to have Kip Wellin, his former high school government teacher and basketball coach, join the Herbster team as campaign chairman

Today, Dan Herbster announced his candidacy for the Indiana House of Representatives for House District 7. Dan is a new face in local politics, and wants to use his teaching experience and familiarity with legislative matters to serve the residents of our district.

He also announced Kip Wellin’s acceptance of the campaign chairman position. Kip was Dan’s high school government teacher and basketball coach. Kip also has years of experience in the business world and in the classroom.

Dan Herbster issued the following statement:

“Thanks to all of you for coming out today. I am excited to announce that I am running for the Indiana House of Representatives here in House District 7. I am here today because I believe the time has come for new leadership, and I want to use my core values and my experiences teaching in the public schools and in schools overseas to serve and represent the community where I grew up. The issues I am most concerned about are attracting good paying jobs to our area, fighting tax increases, strengthening education, and protecting traditional Hoosier values.”

“I am also pleased to announce that my former high school government teacher and basketball coach, Kip Wellin, has agreed to be my campaign chairman. Kip has years of experience in the business world and has spent the last twelve years impacting the lives of young people as teacher and coach. I will greatly benefit from his support and advice, particularly on economic and educational issues.”

Kip Wellin issued the following statement:

“Today it is my distinct pleasure to accept Dan’s request to chair his bid for the Indiana House of Representatives. Having known Dan and his family for many years I can honestly say that Dan represents all that is good about the Hoosier state, and in particular the core values that we hold dear like hard work, low taxation, faith, and responsible, representative government. This campaign for the 7th district is about a call for new leadership and fresh ideas. And our candidate will bring youth, energy and vitality to a people who deserve nothing less. I am pleased to chair Dan’s bid to be your state representative.”

#####

Governor Daniels spoke to a the Indianapolis Rotary Club yesterday and announced his “Taxpayer Protection Agenda” which is a two-step proposal which is to further strengthen Indiana’s protection of taxpayers.

In short this is what he’s proposing:

First, the governor called for final legislative passage of a constitutional amendment to make permanent the caps on property taxes contained in the landmark tax cut bill approved during the 2008 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

The second proposal, the Automatic Taxpayer Refund, would ensure that any tax revenues beyond those needed to maintain a balanced budget and adequate rainy day reserves be sent back to taxpayers in the form of a refund.

Audio of the Governor’s speech can be heard below.

Podcast: Play in new window

I was sent a scan of a campaign flyer of Cherrish Pryor, Democrat candidate for HD94, and being the political hack I am I looked it over carefully. At first glance it seemed to be broad generalities. Upon closer examination I see that a lot of items listed as her “issues” were the exact issues put out by her Republican challenger Chad Miller. Is Cherrish Pryor so devoid of ideas she finds it necessary to find inspiration for her ideas from her opponent?

Keep in mind, Chad Miller had his website out there with much of this material posted near the time of the primary in May.

[More analysis below the fold]

David Yarde won the caucus tonight to replace State Rep. Marlin Stutzman on the November ballot in House District 52.  Yarde won on the 6th ballot with 20 votes over Roger Diehm with 18 votes.  I emceed a candidate forum with 8 candidates who were seeking this vacancy last Thursday evening.  Here is the brief bio I was given to read about Yarde in the introductions.

Davis is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County and the fourth generation to live on the family farm.  He graduated from Garrett High School in 1969 and received his BS in Education and an MS in Administration from Indiana University.  David served in the school system as a teacher and administrator for 30 years.  He is married to Julie and they are the parents of two children, Justin and Dakota.  A small business owner, Davis is a fiscal and social conservative Republican.  Currently serving his fourth term on the Dekalb County Council, Davis is a former member of the Keyser Township Advisory Board, a veteran of 30 years as a Keyser Township Precinct Committee person and former DeKalb County Young Republican Chairman.

Congrats to David and good luck in the fall.