2012 race for governor should be fun
Next year should be fun if you love politics.
Even if you don't enjoy the political campaigns and all that comes with them, it's an important year for Hoosiers and all Americans.
Indiana will elect a new governor, and President Obama will seek a second term.
The president was unknown when he started his run to the White House from Illinois, but became an almost rock-star-type figure. Hillary Clinton and John McCain were the victims of that landslide.
Gov. Mitch Daniels is nearing the completion of his second and final term. There appears to be no middle ground with Gov. Daniels. You either like him or you don't.
But the governor knew going into office he wouldn't always make friends.
I remember him sitting in the newsroom of this newspaper during his first campaign speaking with Assistant Editor Nick Schneider. He admitted a lot of Hoosiers would be upset with some of his moves, but he was determined to make Indiana a more financially stable state.
In 2013, the future of Indiana will shift to someone new.
It appears -- though there are other candidates -- the race will be between Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (6th District) and former Democrat Indiana Speaker of the House John Gregg from nearby Sandborn.
They are two well-known political figures in Indiana. If they do square off against each other in November 2012, it should be a fun and interesting campaign.
Any campaign with Gregg involved won't be dull. He is a jovial guy who will stop and chat with anyone. The guys at Bluejay Junction know that first-hand.
Gregg is popular in southern Indiana, and he received a pat on the back earlier this week from 27 mayors in the southern part of the state who endorsed his run for governor.
"I am honored to receive these endorsements," Gregg said in a prepared news release. "Indiana needs a governor who will work with mayors to give our cities and towns the tools they need to build better communities. Indiana also needs a governor who knows how to work with mayors whether they are conservative, liberal or somewhere in the middle.
"As someone who has presided over a statehouse that was divided 50-50, I've got some experience in that area."
Two Greene County mayors -- both Democrats -- were among the 27 to offer support.
"I am endorsing John Gregg because he will be an excellent governor for all of Indiana," Linton Mayor Patti Jones was quoted as saying in the press release. "John will listen to those of us that live in small towns, not just people who live in Indianapolis.
"John understands how recent decisions in Indianapolis have impacted smaller communities, especially in the classroom. John is one of the most fair, level-headed, trustworthy and sincere people I know and he will make a great governor for all of us."
Jasonville Mayor Roy Terrell Sr. stated in the press release: "I support John Gregg's candidacy for governor of Indiana because, first of all, he is the right person for the position. John is the kind of caring person we the residents of Jasonville are looking for in a governor. He has the background and the intelligence to govern Indiana. Coming from a small, rural community like our own and being familiar with the challenges in the larger metropolitan areas, John brings hope and inspiration for the future of all Hoosiers. I am proud to call him my friend and the next governor of the great state of Indiana."
Democrats supporting Gregg and Republicans supporting Pence shouldn't come as a shock. The next governor will be the one who can get people from the other party to share their ideas for a better Indiana.
Chris is the general manager/editor of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or by email at cpruett79@gmail.com .
- -- Posted by Ethermuse on Thu, Jul 28, 2011, at 6:15 PM
- -- Posted by mtvsportswriter on Thu, Jul 28, 2011, at 7:03 PM
- -- Posted by THE END on Fri, Jul 29, 2011, at 7:10 AM
- -- Posted by Sandman301 on Sat, Jul 30, 2011, at 2:18 PM
- -- Posted by GotTheLife on Wed, Aug 3, 2011, at 3:57 PM
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