Archive for the ‘State Elections’ Category

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Campaign finance reform in Indiana
Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:21:54 -0400
From: Scott Tibbs <tibbs1973@yahoo.com>
To: H61@IN.gov

Representative Pierce,

I read with concern in the Indianapolis Star that public financing has been proposed in Indiana, with the possibility of strict limits of campaign contributions. I think this is a bad idea and encourage you not to support this.

The first and most obvious problem with contribution limits is that it is a disadvantage to minor parties such as the Libertarian and Green parties. Enough Indiana voters have voted for the Libertarian candidate for Secretary of State over the past few elections to give the Libertarian party an automatic spot on the Indiana ballot, and minor parties serve a valuable purpose by holding the primary two parties accountable and giving the parties a political incentive to stand by their principles.

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Now that the state convention is over, I think it about time for us to turn our attention to the Indiana House races. This can be an important year for Republicans on the state level. We are currently in the minority by a 49 to 51 margin. On the down-side, due to running for the Federal House seat, Jon Elrod is giving up IN-97. Of course, we failed to put a candidate up to retain this seat, so we are starting this effort needing two victories to tie and three to get the majority back.

Here are the contested races where the incumbent is NOT running for re-election, which should be considered the most vulnerable:

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In this special presentation, Hoosier Access Radio brings you a conference call with bloggers interviewing GOP Attorney General candidate Greg Zoeller. Note: Hoosier Access is not endorsing an AG candidate at this time.

Just released from SurveyUSA:

3 Weeks to Indiana Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, Long Thompson Has Momentum: In a Democratic Primary for Governor of Indiana today, 04/14/08, 3 weeks till votes are counted, Jill Long Thompson pulls ahead of Jim Schellinger and leads now by 8 points, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WHAS-TV Louisville KY and WCPO-TV Cincinnati OH. Today, it’s Long Thompson 46%, Schellinger 38%. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released two weeks ago, Long Thompson is up 7, Schellinger is down 3. Long Thompson, who represented Indiana’s 4th Congressional District from 1988 through 1994, has made inroads among men, where Indianapolis architect Schellinger had led by 21, now leads by 5. Among women, Long Thompson had led by 13, now leads by 20. In greater Indianapolis, Schellinger had led by 9, now leads by 3. In Southern Indiana, Schellinger had led by 22, now is tied. Among white voters, Schellinger had led by 3, now trails by 5. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Republican Governor Mitch Daniels. 16% of likely voters are undecided. The outcome is anything but certain.

Source: SurveyUSA

The Politico earlier this week ran a story on the struggle and strife, both monetarily and ideologically, that plague many state GOP parties around the country. Whether they be in the bluest of blue states or the reddest of red, the aftermath of the 2006 mid-terms still loom large over them. Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis was quoted as saying “After twelve years of being in power, you tend to get fat and lazy, and in some cases arrogant with respect to your positions”. Makes me wonder why it took 42 years for that to happen to the Democrats before the 1994 revolution.

Aside from mass political defeat on the state and national levels in 2006 for Republicans the problem stems from the perception and fact that Republicans lost their way ideologically. By the time 2006 rolled around, Social and Fiscal conservatives were up in arms over scandals and fiscal ineptitude. The votes (or lack thereof) for Republicans on the national level sank, not just for congressman and senators, but Republicans lost majorities in legislatures and/or governorships all across the country. Indiana was no different.

So is our state party next on the list of soon to be fractured and broke?

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Carlin Yoder, Republican candidate in the open state senate primary in district 12, is set to receive a major endorsement on Friday at a campaign kick-off rally in Goshen. State Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe), who is well known for his pro-life and conservative record in the Indiana General Assembly, will endorse Yoder on Friday at a kick-off rally at The Refinery at 5pm.

Yoder announced his candidacy last week. This race, like the senate primary in district 18, promises to be a race to watch as three political unknowns run to succeed Senator Marvin Riegsecker who is retiring at the end of his term this year.

Yoder’s Bio:

Carlin Yoder

Middlebury resident Carlin Yoder recently announced his candidacy for the Indiana District 12 Senate seat being vacated by Senator Marvin Riegsecker. A life-long resident of Elkhart County, Carlin is passionate about his district and will work hard to solve the pressing issues of property tax relief, growing illegal immigration issues and the restoration of family values within the community.

Carlin is a natural leader who inspires others to strive for excellence, both by example and communication. He is currently the Administrator at Clinton Christian School, where he has made numerous positive changes since accepting that role. He has raised enrollment, built camaraderie with employees and students and guided the school through a million dollar gymnasium project, which was completed in January.

Carlin is also experienced in business and along with his wife, owns Danceworks Academy, located near Middlebury. Married for 14 years, Carlin and his wife Jayme have 3 children, Caitlin, 13, Logan 6, and Quinn, 2. They are also in the process of adopting their fourth child. They actively attend Sugar Grove Church and are very involved in the community.

Politically, Carlin is resolved in providing an authentic conservative voice to the core issues that need solutions in Indiana. He is pro-life and is very supportive of the state marriage amendment. In regard to Property Tax relief, Carlin believes that Indiana must begin working toward the elimination of this tax, taking steps to replace its growing burden on homeowners and businesses through assessment caps and the use of spending cuts. He also supports immigration reform and will strive to find a sensible solution to this growing problem in a way that will not hurt businesses but works toward upholding our sensible immigration laws.

Carlin Yoder is a person who will work hard in the Indiana State Senate, providing conservatism that is needed in making the decisions that will profoundly affect the state of Indiana. He is principled, strong, and ready for this challenge.

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As I write this Barack Obama’s campaign is filing suit in Federal Court to hold polls open in Cuyahoga and Franklin Counties in Ohio.

Apparently it rained kind of hard in some areas of Ohio today and some people may have not made it.

I preface my rant with the fact that I think voting is vital and everyone should do it…once per election.

In Ohio you can cast a ballot up to 25 days prior to election day. On election day you have 12 hours to vote.

Every month people plan and schedule to pay their bills, attend worship services, buy groceries, pick up their kids and record their favorite TV shows. Don’t you think they could make a little time to plan on voting…even if it rains.

I personally have worked on campaigns in other places and countries where people travel for days to go vote. Countries where people wait in line under threat of violence for 6 or more hours to vote. Countries where people get killed on election day. And I am not just talking about Lake County.

It is completely stupid that we coddle some of our fellow Americans who need parental supervision and, apparently, a court order to go and play on the field of our American Democracy. It is shameful and insulting to the millions around the world who would risk their lives every day for just a taste of American democracy when we have some who were born here who don’t participate because they can not get it super sized or through a drive thru.

By: Brian Sikma

On Thursday evening the Indiana House Republican Caucus finally had enough with the shenanigans of Speaker B. Patrick Bauer and his various minions. In a bold and overdue move House Republicans refused to reconvene with the rest of the House after a series of amendment battles involving immigration reform legislation, specifically SB 335.

The action started when the Speaker failed to call the Senate passed immigration bill down to the floor for amendments and votes. This amounted to a killing of the Senate passed bill. Democrats then began trying to incorporate some provisions of the killed bill into another Senate passed bill. House Republicans left the floor, objecting on the grounds that they did not have sufficient time to prepare for amendments to the other Senate bill or even offer any amendments on the fly.

Speaker Bauer appears to have defended his move saying that he was trying to prevent the passage of a racist bill. According to the Indianapolis Star, Bauer declared “we don’t need a hate debate on this floor.” Apparently it is hateful when a group of legislators seek to pass legislation that provides for greater law-enforcement tools.

The charge of racist has been leveled repeatedly at Sen. Mike Delph, the lead sponsor of SB 335. According to one report, Rep. Vannessa Summers (D-Indianapolis), who sits on the House Public Policy Committee, repeatedly lashed out at Sen. Delph during a committee hearing on SB 335. Of course one of the charges she leveled at Sen. Delph was that he was a racist.

It is disturbing when our elected officials resort to name-calling at a time when serious debate and discussion should be had. Many of the state legislators who support state level immigration reform are reluctant warriors in this battle. It is widely acknowledged that our current immigration woes are the result of inadequate border security measures and sporadic enforcement of immigration law. Both of these are federal issues.

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The below post was submitted to me by one of the attendees at last Saturday’s Allen County Right to Life Legislative Forum. I was honored to play the part of moderator for the well-attended event.

Lawmakers Discuss Family Legislation before theIndiana General Assembly

Senate Leadership Solid in Support of Family Legislation, House Leadership to Act on Senate Bills in the Next 2-weeks

Saturday morning, Indiana legislators and third district Congressman Mark Souder attended the 6^th annual Allen County Right to Life (ACRL) legislative forum on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary attended by a crowd of over 80 attendees who registered for the event. The annual event is a town hall forum where legislators have an opportunity to give the public an update on the status of pro-life/pro-family legislation before the Indiana General Assembly and take questions from the audience.

State Senate Pro Tem and Fort Wayne resident David Long headed the ticket of Hoosier legislators along with State Senator Dennis Kruse of Auburn, State Representative Randy Borror of the 84^th District and Matt Bell, State Representative from District 83. The Governor, Mitch Daniels, Lieutenant Governor, Becky Skillman, and Secretary of State Todd Rokita all sent letters of greeting and encouragement to ACRL and those in attendance. State Representative Marlin Stuzman from District 52 was also scheduled to attend but cancelled due to sudden illness and Indiana Right to Life (IRTL) Legislative Liaison Sue Swayze, who works with the legislature on family and life issues, was also scheduled to be there but like Stuzman succumbed to sudden illness and could not attend. Whitley County Republican Party Chairman and ACRL Board Member, Jim Banks moderated the event.

Notable were the number of other elected officials and candidates also attending the event;

John Becker, former Indiana State Representative

Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner

Roy Buskirk, Allen County Councilman

Mitch Harper, Fort Wayne City Council Member

Bob Lee, Allen County Treasurer

Al Frisinger, Allen County Surveyor

Adam Mildred, Allen County Deputy Prosecutor

Mark Roach, Candidate for Whitley County Commissioner

Jim Banks, Candidate for Whitley County Council At-Large

Jim Howard, Candidate for Allen County Council At-Large

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From the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette comes the latest blow to Jim “I have ideas, really I do” Schellinger, the architect-turned-gubernatorial-candidate that brought on a property tax crisis caused in no small part by super-expensive schools:

INDIANAPOLIS – Several top executives at Jim Schellinger’s architectural firm have contributed more than $230,000 to his gubernatorial efforts, amounting to almost 10 percent of his campaign war chest.

A portion of that financial support has come from a limited liability corporation the executives formed just three days before Schellinger entered the race.

That LLC’s main purpose, so far, has been to pay for $60,000 worth of air travel for Schellinger, a fact that a Republican campaign finance expert said might raise concern that the entity should be registered as a political action committee. A watchdog group policy director, meanwhile, said LLCs can easily be used to hide the true source of campaign money.

Though the race between the two Democratic candidates has been rather quiet on issues so far, Schellinger has proven he can raise money, bringing in $2.4 million in all.

“Rather quiet on issues so far.”

Understatement of the year, that.

About $170,000 of that can be attributed to individual donations from Schellinger’s business partners at CSO Architects in Indianapolis – Alan Tucker, Daniel Moriarity and John Rigsbee, as well as their wives and a few related companies.

The limited-liability corporation was formed March 16, 2007, with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office. Schellinger filed paperwork to run for governor March 19.

Tucker is named as the registered agent on the certificate of organization.

According to Tucker, Trident buys hours of flight time from First Wing Executive Aircraft Charter and Management, a division of Eagle Creek Aviation Services in Indianapolis. A few months after the LLC was created, Trident Air made its first in-kind contribution to Schellinger’s campaign for $15,883 for flight service.

In total, Trident has provided $59,033 in flight services, according to the campaign.

The listing of flight service on campaign reports has somehow caught the attention of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Trident is not certified to offer air service of any kind, according to FAA records.

Elizabeth Cory, spokeswoman for the FAA’s Great Lakes office near Chicago, said the agency is investigating whether Trident Air is providing air service without a federal certificate.

“We do not have any record of a company by the name of Trident,” Cory said. “We’re definitely looking into them.”

Read the whole thing.

It seems that the Journal Gazette is blazing new trails in Hoosier investigative journalism; you hardly (if ever) see reporting on this level or this in depth in the Indy Star, for example, and you never see it down in my end of the state from anyone.

It was the Journal Gazette that dug into the questionable and shady dealings of Evan Bayh and his wife Susan, and how they were cashing in on his Senate position by having her serve on the boards of companies impacted by his Congressional votes, and then making big bucks with juicy stock options.

Now they are bringing to light shady dealings by the Bayh clique’s chosen candidate for governor, Jim Schellinger.

I wonder if Attorney General Steve Carter might take an interest in these interesting campaign finance shennanigans.
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There has been a poll in the field recently from American Viewpoint for the House Republican Campaign Committee.

AV is a generally Republican pollster that did polling for George Bush’s reelection campaign, Dick Lugar, former senators Phil Gramm and Fred Thompson, Roy and Matt Blunt in Missouri, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Campaign Committee, and (surprisingly) the Log Cabin Republicans.

The results from the poll of 800 Hoosiers, unsurprisingly, show a state that is looking rightward and is angry about taxes.

If the 2008 election for Indiana State House of Representatives were being held today, would you be voting for the Republican candidate or Democratic candidate?

37% Republican
32% Democrat
6% Other
23% Don’t Know
2% Refused

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mitch Daniels is handling his job as Governor?

56% TOTAL APPROVE
39% TOTAL DISAPPROVE

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in the State Legislature are handling their job?

46% TOTAL APPROVE
38% TOTAL DISAPPROVE

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in the State Legislature are handling their job?

37% TOTAL APPROVE
48% TOTAL DISAPPROVE

The mirror of the prior question; just how much does their gerrymandered map compensate for this among Democrats?

Which of the following issues will be personally most important to you in deciding your vote for the Indiana State House of Representatives?

20% Providing Property Tax Relief
15% Creating jobs and keeping the economy strong
9% Reducing wasteful government spending
7% Controlling illegal immigration
6% Increasing Funding for K through12 Education
6% Reforming health care
6% Holding the line on taxes
5% Insuring honesty and integrity in government
5% Improving the Quality of Education
5% Protecting traditional family values
3% Fighting crime and drugs
2% Daylight Saving Time
2% Increasing Funding for Post Secondary Education
1% Improving Indiana’s roads and highways
6% Other
2% Don’t Know
* Refused

This is interesting, but unusual in that they tend to usually allow an inclusive ranking system, rather than one where people have to pick a single option.

Now I am going to read you names of several people who are active in politics today and have you tell me if you are aware or not aware of each one. For those you know, I would like you to tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of them…

Mitch Daniels

57% TOTAL FAVORABLE
37% TOTAL UNFAVORABLE

Pat Bauer

20% TOTAL FAVORABLE
18% TOTAL UNFAVORABLE

Jill Long Thompson

22% TOTAL FAVORABLE
11% TOTAL UNFAVORABLE

Only one Hoosier in three even knows who Jill Long Thompson is; not an auspicious sign after so long campaigning.

Jim Schellinger

7% TOTAL FAVORABLE
4% TOTAL UNFAVORABLE

Only one Hoosier in nine knows who Schellinger is; no wonder he fired his campaign team. If all of that money can’t at least buy you better name ID than this, then it can’t buy you anything.

If the election for President were being held today and the candidates were (ROTATE) Mike Huckabee (huck-a-bee), Republican and Hillary Clinton, Democrat for whom would you vote?

53% TOTAL HUCKABEE
35% TOTAL CLINTON

If the election for President were being held today and the candidates were Mike Huckabeee (huck-a-bee) Republican and Barack (ba-rock) Obama, Democrat for whom would you vote?

49% TOTAL HUCKABEE
36% TOTAL OBAMA

Why no polling on how McCain or Romney might do?

If the election for Governor were being held today and the candidates were Mitch Daniels, Republican and Jill Long Thompson, Democrat for whom would you vote?

53% TOTAL DANIELS
34% TOTAL LONG-THOMPSON

Interesting that they didn’t bother to poll on Schellinger (or publish it, if they did).

Would you support or oppose a change in state law that would require all tax increases approved by the General Assembly to pass with at least a 2/3 super majority vote?

76% TOTAL SUPPORT
15% TOTAL OPPOSE

They passed something like this in Colorado some years ago; it didn’t go over so well in the long run, at least for Republicans.

Would you support or oppose requiring a vote of the people by referendum on any school construction project that would be built with property tax dollars?

69% TOTAL SUPPORT
25% TOTAL OPPOSE

Referendums are made of win.

Would you favor or oppose allowing parents to enroll their child in any school they wish if their child is currently enrolled in a “failing” school as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind Act?

71% TOTAL FAVOR
22% TOTAL OPPOSE

I want to know who would tell a pollster that they want to keep children in failing schools.

Would you support or oppose a change in Indiana State law which would require that school districts begin their school year after Labor Day?

58% TOTAL SUPPORT
24% TOTAL OPPOSE

Why?

Would you favor or oppose awarding a merit pay bonus to teachers who voluntarily take a standard competency test in their core subject area every five years and publishing the list of those teachers so that parents will know which teachers are committed to continuous improvement?

74% TOTAL FAVOR
20% TOTAL OPPOSE

The teachers’ union is going to just *love* this.

As you know, the General Assembly has reconvened in Indianapolis and will consider a number of pieces of legislation over the next several months. I would now like to describe for you several of the topics the General Assembly might consider and have you tell me if you favor or oppose each one. The first is… (random order)

An amendment to the State Constitution that would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

72% TOTAL FAVOR
23% TOTAL OPPOSE

The continued use of the death penalty in Indiana.

72% TOTAL FAVOR
21% TOTAL OPPOSE

Withholding welfare dollars to parents of children that are truant from school.

68% TOTAL FAVOR
25% TOTAL OPPOSE

Increasing penalties for drivers convicted of a traffic violation while using a cell phone.

66% TOTAL FAVOR
29% TOTAL OPPOSE

This isn’t very conservative.

A statewide smoking ban in public places.

61% TOTAL FAVOR
37% TOTAL OPPOSE

Nor is this.

Eliminate the position of township assessor and replace it with a single elected assessor for each county…meaning that all 1008 elected township assessors in Indiana would be replaced with a single elected assessor for each county.

59% TOTAL FAVOR
29% TOTAL OPPOSE

Hah! So much for the more popular form of government being the more local one.

Governor Daniel’s has proposed a property tax relief plan which will reduce the property tax every homeowner pays by at least one-third by 2009 and caps property taxes at 1% of your home’s value in the future. To fund this property tax cut, the Governor is proposing a one-cent increase in the state sales tax. Now that you know a little bit more about the Governor’s plan, do you favor or oppose this property tax relief plan?

75% TOTAL FAVOR
19% TOTAL OPPOSE

Do you consider yourself to be pro life or pro choice on the abortion issue?

58% TOTAL PRO-LIFE
34% TOTAL PRO-CHOICE
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House District 50, comprised of Whitley and Huntington Counties, is currently represented by Republican Dan Leonard.  As you may recall, Leonard is the prime mover behind the House amendment that seeks to insure that standardized blueprints for schools are used to save local school boards and taxpayers money that would otherwise be spent on expensive architects. 

Leonard is facing two primary challengers, one of whom, Gary Snyder, seems to be bent on running a campaign aimed at Dan Leonard and not ideas for good government.  Here is what Snyder had to say in a recent op-ed piece (that we may actually be the only ones to run):

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