Tech exec Owens drops bid for governor, endorses Myers
Supply Kick CEO Josh Owens said the move to suspend his campaign—which comes two days before the candidate filing deadline—lets Woody Myers become the party’s presumptive nominee.
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Partial Iowa returns put Buttigieg in lead, with Sanders close behind
Nearly 24 hours after voting concluded, Iowa Democratic Party officials released a partial vote count that showed Pete Buttigieg leading with 26.9%. Bernie Sanders was in second with 25.1%. Sen. Elizabeth Warren had 18.3% and former Vice President Joe Biden had 15.6%.
Embattled Rep. Forestal won’t seek re-election; city councilor to seek his House seat
State Rep. Dan Forestal, a Democrat facing charges of drunken driving and impersonating a public servant, said he will not seek re-election so that he can “focus on my mental health.”
Buttigieg shifts to the center, embodying the Democratic primary’s rightward drift
The evolution is arguably working for Buttigieg, who now regularly polls in the top tier of the Democratic candidates. But it’s also given rise to complaints that the mayor of South Bend is carefully calculating his positions rather than passionately expressing his principles.
Democrats’ historic council grip likely to last, political observers say
Republicans will be forced to work with Democrats to see any GOP proposals take flight. And new, young Republican councilors say they’re eager to work across the aisle.
Pete Buttigieg establishes clear lead in Iowa, new poll shows
Buttigieg was leading the crowded Democratic field with 25%, in the new CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll of likely Iowa caucus goers.
Indiana Democratic chairman entering state Senate race
John Zody announced Thursday he would seek to replace Democratic Sen. Mark Stoops of Bloomington, who said last week that he wouldn’t seek a third term.
Dem mayors win re-election in state’s big cities, but GOP flips numerous offices
Voters decided who would fill dozens of mayoral offices for the next four years, while unofficial election returns showed those in Vigo County supporting the construction of western Indiana’s first casino in Terre Haute.
Schumer proposes $462 billion automobile swap—gas for electric
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rebate proposal late Thursday joins a mix of trillion- and multi-trillion-dollar programs that Democratic presidential candidates have outlined to urgently cut oil, gas and coal emissions.
Some Democrats say party leaders are interfering in prosecutor’s race
Several Democrats told IBJ that party leaders have recently removed precinct committeemen and women who would have supported a candidate for prosecutor that isn’t backed by Mayor Joe Hogsett. The precinct committeemen and women will meet in a caucus Saturday to choose Curry’s successor.
Tech exec sees ‘newbie’ status as political asset
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Owens, the 34-year-old CEO of tech firm SupplyKick, has never held elected office. But he doesn’t consider that a bad thing.
Democrats clash over health care in debate that started with calls of unity
In a series of heated exchanges at a presidential debate Thursday night, 10 Democratic contenders laid bare the party’s deep divisions on major issues.
Deb Simon—who will ‘do anything’ to beat Trump—donates $100k to young Democrats
The Carmel philanthropist says it starts by activating young voters, which is why she recently gave a significant donation to Indiana Young Democrats to help the group bring the Young Democrats of America National Convention to Indianapolis.
Buttigieg tells Young Democrats that GOP policies have failed
During his speech Thursday night at the Young Democrats of America National Convention in Indianapolis, South Bend Mayor and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg tried to draw attention to Republican policies that he says haven’t worked.
Pete Buttigieg has money. Can he turn it into a 2020 win?
Buttigieg still faces questions about his experience and whether his appeal extends beyond wealthier donors and white voters.
Merritt accuses Hogsett of ‘fraud’ on effort to rehab or demolish 2,000 homes
State Sen. Jim Merritt, a Republican running against Mayor Joe Hogsett in this year’s mayoral election, accused Hogsett of “purposely inflating” the number of blighted properties his administration had “improved” in Indianapolis.
Pete Buttigieg’s high college debt draws attention to the issue
With loans totaling more than $130,000, the Hoosier presidential hopeful and his husband are among the 43 million people in the United States who owe federal student loan debt.
Merritt won’t walk in Indy Pride Parade, pledges LGBTQ protections if elected
Indianapolis Republican Mayoral candidate Jim Merritt on Thursday said he regretted his Senate vote for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2015 and pledged to support the LGBTQ community if elected mayor.
Merritt still plans to walk in Indy Pride Parade; organizer says he’s still not welcome
Republican mayoral candidate Jim Merritt said Tuesday that he plans to walk in Saturday’s parade “as a private citizen, not as a candidate for mayor” and that his “intention for walking in the pride parade is to show others that, over time, my opinions have progressed and theirs can as well.”
Clay resigns from City-County Council following tumultuous tenure
Stephen Clay was persona on grata on the council after being expelled from the Democratic caucus for a leadership coup in 2018.