Anderson Herald Bulletin
Republican candidates vying to become Indiana’s next governor have been campaigning since at least last November when they began airing ads to bolster name recognition.
While that seemed too early in the election cycle for many Hoosiers, those ads have served as reminders to register to vote by the April 8 deadline or plan to participate in early voting which begins the next day.
Both activities can be accomplished locally by heading to the Madison County clerk’s office in the courthouse. Satellite locations for early voting have yet to be named.
Also, Hoosiers can register to vote online until midnight April 8.
We know of at least 180 people who have begun participating in the election process leading to the May 7 primary. Those folks attended the GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner on March 5 at the Millcreek Civic Center in Chesterfield.
Four of the six Republican gubernatorial candidates showed up for the function: former Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers; former Indiana Economic Development Corp. President Eric Doden; former State Attorney General Curtis Hill; and current Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch.
Their platforms focus on the economy. Some are starting to distinguish themselves from one another, but it’s still a toss-up of provability versus bluster, experience versus baggage. Similar comparisons, of course, can be applied when all political party candidates are included on the ballot.
Two candidates were not at the Chesterfield dinner: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Jamie Reitenour. Braun was at a Foo Fighters concert in Washington to garner support for his bipartisan bill concerning health care price transparency. Reitenour already had plans to lead worship at a Noblesville church.
But don’t fret, all six will be making numerous appearances around the state to espouse conservative values. (Ex-state schools superintendent Jennifer McCormick is the only Democratic candidate.)
Though the primary is less than two months away, it’s too early to determine how the Republican ballot will shake out. The GOP is seemingly strong in Indiana right now; Democrats can’t claim the same prominence.
Voters will, as always, have the last say.
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