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Micah Beckwith’s nomination as the Indiana Republican candidate for lieutenant governor was a resounding rejection of elite establishment politics and an affirmation that grassroots politics is alive and well in the Hoosier state.
In June, delegates narrowly picked Beckwith, a Noblesville pastor who ran for Congress in 2020, over state Rep. Julie McGuire, who had the backing of Mike Braun, the party’s candidate for governor. McGuire, a very able legislator, even had a last-minute endorsement from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
It was a remarkable feat Beckwith pulled off, and in so doing, he showed the strength of the faith and populist strands of the Republican coalition.
Beckwith won by engaging in good, old-fashioned, retail politics. His efforts brought to mind John F. Kennedy campaigning in the West Virginia primary in 1960, knocking on doors and engaging voters in their communities. There was skepticism that a Catholic from Massachusetts could carry the state, but Kennedy won there and eventually nationwide to become president.
Similarly, Beckwith’s visible and vocal faith as a pastor—an outspoken one at that—created concerns among many GOP party leaders. But Beckwith’s charisma, articulate views and winsome ways won over the delegates.
He traveled the state for many months before the nominating convention, meeting with past delegates and likely future delegates to introduce himself and share his views and values. That personal touch appears to have made the difference, as delegates connected with him and decided to support his effort.
Beckwith’s passionate patriotism prevailed over the pragmatic positions so often on display at GOP functions.
And he immediately endeared himself to Braun and his campaign by helping persuade an independent candidate not to run, adding perhaps 3% to 5% support for the Braun-Beckwith ticket.
All indications are Braun and Beckwith will be a solid team. Braun no doubt admires what Beckwith accomplished—handing Braun his first significant political setback since he started his public career as a candidate for school board in his hometown of Jasper.
Beckwith will bring a new energy and vitality to the top of the ticket for Indiana Republicans. His victory also confirms the wisdom of the General Assembly deciding years ago to give delegates to the state party conventions significant responsibilities for selecting the lieutenant governor candidate and all other statewide office-seekers aside from the governor and our U.S. Senate candidates.
The volunteers and activists who helped and worked for Beckwith saw their efforts rewarded with a major office nomination. They also saw an able advocate for policies many believe the formal party structure and its candidates have ignored or forgotten prevail.
The polls and pundits forecast a Braun-Beckwith victory this fall, although in today’s turbulent world, the roughly 100 days to the election may well seem like an eternity.
But assuming the trend holds, Hoosiers can look forward to a youthful, articulate voice for the values of grassroots, everyday Hoosiers who want state government to do more than assist with job creation and basic services That is important, but there is more to do than bringing unemployment down further.
Schools need to innovate to meet the needs of all students and a changing world. Social service delivery needs to evolve into better, less-institutionalized care as we reinvigorate the social sector to help meet needs. And mental health problems that give rise to youth violence and drug overdoses in epidemic numbers must be challenged.
Beckwith will be at the forefront of trying new approaches, challenging conventional wisdom and seeking non-government solutions when feasible. That will bring a fresh perspective to governing a good and growing state on the precipice of greatness.•
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Smith is chairman of the Indiana Family Institute and author of “Deicide: Why Eliminating The Deity is Destroying America.” Send comments to ibjedit@ibj.com.
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