Students at IPFW were eager to ask questions of gubernatorial candidate John Gregg, who later praised the students for being well-informed.

Gregg, the Democratic nominee for governor was invited to speak Monday by the IPFW University Democrats club.

Noting the differences between him and GOP candidate Mike Pence, a six-term congressman, Gregg urged the group to look beyond party labels and vote for who was best for Indiana.

“I’m the only candidate with experience in education, experience in state government and experience creating jobs, he said.

A former Speaker of the Indiana House, Gregg had been out of politics for several years. He is a practicing attorney from southern Indiana who also served as interim college president at Vincennes University.

The creation of well-paying jobs is a top priority with Hoosiers, Gregg said.

And he thinks women, many of whom “happen to be Lugar Republicans,” are the deciding factor in the race for governor.

Gregg touts himself as a pro-life Democrat who is a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood performs cancer screenings and family planning and birth control services for thousands of women every year who could otherwise not afford it,” Gregg said.

The war on woman and limiting their access to health care must stop, Gregg said.

Two students in the audience were impressed with Gregg’s answers, although neither was a Democrat.

Logan Herber, president of the Young Americans for Liberty, considers himself a libertarian who does not “align with any particular party,” said he liked Gregg’s ideas regarding energy alternatives, creating jobs and steering clear of social issues.

“His opponent focuses on social issues too much. It gets annoying,” Herber said.

Aaron Ostermeyer, an independent, is secretary of the IPFW Democrats club.

Gregg was very approachable, Ostermeyer said. He agreed with Gregg’s stance on education, including supporting freezes on college tuition and not funding school vouchers with tax dollars, but disagreed with Gregg’s “pro-coal” viewpoints, he said.

“We need to wean ourselves from our dependence on coal and rely more on other alternative energy, like wind,” Ostermeyer said.

vsade@jg.net