UPDATE: Third Democrat joins Indiana governor’s race, with GOP backer
First-term Sen. Eddie Melton of Gary joined the Indiana governor’s race Tuesday night in Gary with an introduction from the state’s Republican schools chief.
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Steve Braun suspends Congressional campaign for health reasons
Steve Braun, a former commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and brother of U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, said he was “frustrated and disappointed to have to suspend my campaign at this critical juncture.”
UPDATE: Mears picked to replace Curry as Marion County prosecutor
Ryan Mears, who was Terry Curry’s chief trial deputy, has been serving as the interim prosecutor since Curry stepped down Sept. 23. He promised to be an independent leader who works for the good of the Indianapolis community and takes a tough stance on violent crime.
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.
Retired doctor from Zionsville joins crowded race for Congress
Chuck Dietzen is the fifth Republican to launch a campaign for the seat, which is being vacated by Republican Susan Brooks. So far, four Democrats are running on the other side of the ticket.
Buttigieg pitches himself to moderates as the Biden alternative
Despite raising a staggering $51 million for his presidential campaign in 2019, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has been stuck in fourth place, between 5% and 7% in national polls. Part of that is because he’s hard to define.
Sanders pushes tax on companies where CEOs earn far more than workers
Under Sen. Bernie Sanders’ plan, the government would increase a firm’s corporate tax rate if its highest-paid employee earns more than 50 times what its average worker does—an attempt to encourage companies to distribute their profits more equitably.
Voting machine firms may throw doors open to ethical hackers
But some ethical hackers worry the industry, which has historically prioritized making their machines easier for election administrators to use rather than making them as secure as possible, isn’t ready to make big changes. They fear the companies won’t work quickly enough to fix the bugs they discover and could use non-disclosure agreements to enforce silence about dangerous bugs that could compromise an election.
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.
Indy mayoral candidates want state law to better protect tenants
Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett and Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt participated in a discussion about homelessness at the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention annual fundraiser and awards presentation on Wednesday evening and were asked about what they would each do to improve the homelessness situation in Indianapolis.
Buttigieg calls Warren ‘extremely evasive’ on health taxes
Speaking Thursday, Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg issued his most pointed attack yet on Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The sharpened critique comes as the fall campaign kicks into high gear with Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses scheduled in February.
State lawmaker accused of defamation, slander
The complaint is related to remarks state Rep. Dan Forestal made during the House Elections and Apportionment Committee hearing on Feb. 14 when lawmakers were discussing a bill that would have made changes to the way local primaries are conducted.
Mayoral candidates talk about neighborhood issues at public forum
Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett, Republican state Sen. Jim Merritt and Libertarian Doug McNaughton participated in a mayoral forum Tuesday night organized by Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis and Indiana Landmarks.
Merritt accuses Hogsett of ‘abysmal’ support for minority, women businesses
State Sen. Jim Merritt, the Republican candidate for mayor of Indianapolis, said Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett has made initiatives to support minority-owned businesses an afterthought rather than a priority.
Tech executive Josh Owens jumping into race for governor
The Shelbyville native has never held elected office, and his only campaign experience was an unsuccessful run for an at-large seat on the Indianapolis Public Schools board in 2014.
No millennial bump for Buttigieg, but hints of broad appeal
Pete Buttigieg would like to turn the fight for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination into a contest about generational change. But there’s one looming problem: He has yet to win over his own.
Mayoral candidates on board with bus rapid transit expansion
The city’s first bus rapid-transit line is up and running, but public-transportation advocates are just getting started—and they’re hoping the next mayor of Indianapolis is on board.
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.
Carmel Republican planning election run against Holcomb
Brian Roth, a Carmel resident and president of a consulting and leadership development firm, has filed paperwork to create a committee to run for governor.
Buttigieg’s first television ad calls for less polarization
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, whose poll numbers have lingered in the single digits this summer after a fast start earlier in the year, is set to run his first television ad of the campaign.