The Indiana Democratic Party’s state convention is virtual this year, due to COVID-19. And in partnership with Indianapolis station WISH-TV, the party broadcast some of the typical convention events Thursday – speeches from party leaders and discussions of key issues like health care and education.
That includes remarks from the two candidates convention delegates will choose between for the attorney general nomination.
Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Ogden Dunes) and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel took very different approaches. Weinzapfel’s was a kind of campaign ad in which he talked about his background and the issues he’ll tackle, including nursing home transparency and criminal justice reform.
“Millions of Hoosiers with pre-existing conditions could lose their health care because of a federal lawsuit filed by Indiana’s current attorney general," Weinzapfel says. "I’ll pull Indiana out of that partisan, political lawsuit on day one.”
Tallian’s speech discussed head-on current Attorney General Curtis Hill, whose law license was suspended by the Supreme Court after it said he criminally battered four women. Tallian says Hill’s actions galvanized her to run.
“I can’t just sit by and watch all this happen," Tallian says. "He has to go and I’m taking him out.”
Tallian also discussed her history in the legislature of advocating for homeowner rights in foreclosures, bail reform and marijuana legalization.
Delegates are already voting – by mail – for the AG nomination. Results will be announced June 18.
Indiana Democrats’ gubernatorial ticket also addressed the state party convention via the televised broadcast.
Dr. Woody Myers and former Rep. Linda Lawson’s remarks were heavily influenced by recent protests around the state over racial injustice and police brutality.
Myers, the state’s first black candidate for governor, discussed his own history with racism and said the recent protests are a spark for change.
“Let’s use today’s energy to move forward with radically improved, well-funded schools, affordable health care, effective economic policies and sustainable climate practices,” Myers says.
Myers also says law enforcement today “is far more part of the solution” than in the past.
His running mate has a long history with law enforcement. Lawson was the first female police officer in Hammond. But she says leaders need to acknowledge the system is broken.
“We need leaders who will fight hard for women, workers, public education, social justice,” Lawson says.
Democrats haven’t won a gubernatorial race since 2000.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
