Indiana voters will have a lot to consider when deciding who to vote for in the state's gubernatorial election in November. Incumbent Republican governor Mitch Daniels is going up against Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson, and both campaigns are working to prove to the public that their candidate is the best choice for the state.
Both campaigns will attempt to highlight the extensive experience in both politics and the private sector that Daniels and Long Thompson have accumulated over their years of public service.
Daniels was sworn in on Jan. 10, 2005 and became the 49th Governor of Indiana. While the 2004 election was the first time he had run for public office, Daniels has experience working in government. He has served as a Senior Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, Chief of Staff for Senator Richard Lugar and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Bush. While working for the O.M.B., Daniels was a leading diplomat advocating Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.
Long Thompson also brings political experience to the gubernatorial race. Between 1989 and 1995, Long Thompson served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's Fourth Congressional District. After leaving this post, Long Thompson was the U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for rural development through 2001. Her campaign's Web site says the highlights of Long Thompson's service as Under Secretary were aiding the creation of jobs in economically challenged areas, reforming the single-family loan program and improving the overall efficiency of the department.
Jeff Harris, communication director for the "Hoosiers for Jill" campaign said Thompson has outlined the most important issues for her campaign and is ready for the upcoming election.
"The first issue for our campaign is the economy and jobs," Harris said. "Under Governor Daniels the economic climate has worsened."
Harris said Long Thompson realizes fixing the economy is about more than attracting new jobs to the state.
"We are interested in rebuilding the economy in a way to not only attract new jobs but also protect jobs currently here," Harris said. "Also, we want to make sure jobs provide a good living wage."
While the opposition highlights weaknesses in the current Indiana economy, Governor Daniels and his campaign are working to highlight the positive strides made since he was sworn into office in 2005.
On Daniels' re-election Web site, the campaign stresses the importance of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, an organization aimed at attracting businesses and high-paying jobs to Indiana. Daniels established the I.E.D.C. soon after he was sworn in, something he promised to during his first campaign. According to the site, the I.E.D.C. has helped bring 66,000 new jobs to Indiana.
Observers have said Long Thompson's campaign has worked well, as she entered the race as a heavy underdog to Daniels. Joseph Losco, chairman of Ball State University's political science department, said because of Long Thompson's strong campaign, Daniels has spent more money than anticipated on his already.
"The fact that he is spending so much early means that he knows the race will be much tighter than others feel," Losco said.
Mitch Daniels Mitch Daniels for Governor Campaign 47 S. Meridian St., 2nd Floor Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 1-877- 648-2448 mymanmitch.com
EXPERIENCE: -Senior advisor to President Ronald Reagan -Chief of staff for Senator Richard Lugar -Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Bush
Jill Long Thompson Hoosiers for Jill Campaign P.O. Box 44177 Indianapolis, IN 46244 Phone: 317-635-5455 hoosiersforjill.com
EXPERIENCE: -U.S. Representative for three terms from Indiana's Fourth Congressional District -U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for rural development
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