Daniels urges GOP to keep Indiana strong
INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mitch Daniels told about 1,500 Republicans gathered Saturday to nominate candidates for statewide office that his focus is on Indiana and ushering in a new crew of public servants to continue the state’s progress.
“My thoughts are here. My plans are here. My heart is here,” he said. “Because here is where the immediate opportunity lies, … right in front of us.”
To take advantage of that opportunity, he said Hoosiers must elect a new solid Republican crop of candidates from Congress to the Indiana House.
“It takes a lot of work to build a great state. You can wreck it in a year or two,” Daniels said. “We are not going to let that happen here. We have worked too hard. We have done too much. We have moved too far.”
And he tried to downplay any talk about him running for president in 2012, even while delegates chanted “Run, Mitch, Run.”
Daniels said the only reason his name is being volleyed around is because the GOP in Indiana has worked to make the state a model for the nation.
“I have never once looked in a bathroom mirror and seen a president of the United States looking back at me,” he said. “It is not about me. It is all about you.”
Daniels’ speech was the highlight of the GOP state convention, during which he and others focused on sending Republicans to Congress, taking back the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democrat Evan Bayh, winning control of the Indiana House, and maintaining control over all of Indiana’s statewide elected offices.
“We all know that our position heading into this fall is one of strength. We are poised for sweeping victories, but we have not won anything yet,” said Murray Clark, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party.
“We need to resist the urge to celebrate early or take anything for granted. I challenge each of you today to work as if we are behind.”
The delegates nominated three men as their choices for state auditor, state treasurer and secretary of state.
None of the candidates faced opposition.
•Allen County native Tim Berry, 48, is seeking a second term as auditor after first serving two terms as state treasurer. He is on pace to return more than 12 percent of his budget dollars to the general fund to help with the state’s fiscal crisis.
Berry also was Allen County treasurer in the 1990s.
“We need to spread the message that responsible Republican leadership is working in Indiana and can work for America too,” he said.
•Richard Mourdock, 58, of Evansville, was nominated for a second term as treasurer. He previously was a business leader and served two terms as Vanderburgh County commissioner.
•And Charlie White, 40, was chosen to run as secretary of state. The office is being vacated by Todd Rokita, who is term-limited and running for Congress in the 4th District. White is in his third term on Fishers Town Council.
Democrats are scheduled to choose their nominees next Saturday in Indianapolis.
Sam Locke and Pete Buttigieg are running unopposed for auditor and treasurer, respectively.
Two men – Vop Osili and Tom McKenna – are seeking the secretary of state nomination.
