Potpourri: Lots of Election and Trump Rally Insights
Posted
Dan Spalding-dspalding@timesuniononline.com
Trump visit – President Trump’s rally in Elkhart Thursday was a star-studded event for Republicans. The only top elected official who was missing was Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is on a trade mission outside of the country. Kosciusko County GOP Chair Mike Ragan, along with many other dignitaries, including Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese and philanthropist Art Decio, all had seats behind the presidential platform. Ragan, asked about the festive environment Friday put it bluntly: “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
While there was reserved seating for many Republican officials, it appeared as if some elected officials were happy to mingle among the 8,000 or so supporters. That seemed to be the case for U.S. Sen. Todd Young, who was standing on the floor when Trump pointed him out during his speech.
The spotlight led to plenty of requests for selfies as Trump moved on to other issues.
Two versions – In embracing newly minted Republican nominee Mike Braun for U.S. Senate, Trump focused plenty of attention on Braun’s upcoming battle with Sen. Joe Donnelly. At one point during Thursday’s rally, Trump suggested Donnelly had never authored any successful legislation during his time in the Senate.
Hours later, the Donnelly campaign released a statement after the Elkhart event, casting himself as a problem solver who rolls up the sleeves.
The press release also noted that “since 2013, 41 of Joe Donnelly's legislative proposals have been signed into law, including 19 since the beginning of President Trump's Administration. In 2017, he voted with President Trump 62 percent of the time.”
Women in action – According to Genderwatch2018.org, women running for Congress fared well in Tuesday’s election. Women won seven of 18 major party nominations for U.S. House seats in Indiana, including two incumbent Republicans, Jackie Walorski, of the Second District, and Susan Brooks, of the Fifth District, who will face another woman, Democrat Dee Thornton. Democrat challenger Courtney Tritch faces Rep. Jim Banks.
Six debates? – Speaking of Tritch, her campaign – hours after becoming the Democratic nominee, challenged Rep. Banks to six debates.
“The differences on the issues between myself and our current representative are clear, and the people of the 3rd District deserve to hear those policy differences before making an educated voting decision. It is paramount for the district, and our democracy, that these debates occur and are planned without delay.”
No word yet on what Banks thinks of the idea.
Top Race – GOP State Chair Kyle Hupfer wasted no time in assessing the senate race between Donnelly and businessman Braun. In a news release headline, Hupfer described the race as the “No. 1 race in the country.”
Hupfer said it is time for Republicans to come together and rally behind Braun, who defeated Rep. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita.
“Republicans have spoken and it’s time for us to move forward as this race could very well end up determining which party holds the majority in the U.S. Senate come next year. This is our chance to build the firewall and deliver for our nation yet again, and we’re taking nothing for granted,” Hupfer wrote.
