Indiana GOP: Complacency is our biggest threat

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 7:00 AM

By Wes Dehne

'We have a lot of counties, like Fulton County, where we have success problems; the Republican Party has done so well Democrats no longer bother to run...'

With less than 60 days to the general election, Indiana Speaker of the House Todd Huston says complacency is the Republican Party's biggest challenge.

His sentiment was shared by Republican State Chairman Randy Head at the annual Fulton County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner, held Saturday at the Fulton Community Center. Fulton County Republican Party Chairman Mike Canada, serving as emcee, had the honor of introducing the event's speakers and special guests, as well as thanking those who made the event possible.

"Voter complacency is the biggest threat that we're facing right now," Head said. "We have a lot of counties, like Fulton County, where we have success problems; the Republican Party has done so well Democrats no longer bother to run, and that's wonderful, except we have a lot of people saying, 'Well, Trump's is going to win, Braun is going to win, my vote isn't going to matter, it's all going to be OK, someone else is gonna take care of it.'"

In an effort to get out the vote, Head noted permanent staff has been hired to be on the ground in every congressional district to organize door-knocking events.

"We've knocked on over 80,000 doors across Indiana so far, and that's a good start," he said, adding efforts will continue with direct mail, calls, texts, digital advertising and more.

An election integrity project is another effort, with an attorney answer questions and handle issues as they come up in every county.

Head also stressed the importance of eliminating Democrats' early voting advantage and announced phone banking contests with cash prizes available to women's clubs, county parties and district organizations that make the most calls.

"We're coming to an election season that really, really matters, and it's super challenging, frankly, politically," Huston said. "In a place like Fulton County, where you don't have a single Democrat on the ballot at the county level, there are a lot of people that are going to say things like, 'Well, why do I need to vote? Donald Trump is going to win. Mike Braun and Michael Beckwith are going to win, Jim Banks is going to win, Todd Rokita is going to win.' I'm just here tonight to tell you we can't take anything for granted."

He added that it's crucial the Republican Party rally around Trump, Braun, Beckwith and Rokita because there's "too much at stake."

He cautioned party faithful about becoming Michigan, where there were Republican majorities just a few years ago, or Illinois, which he called the "worst possible outcome."

"I'm just going to implore you that you talk to your friends, that you talk to your family and make sure they vote," he said. "There's more of us than there are of them."

Huston lambasted the term "RINO" – Republican in name only – calling it "ridiculous" and saying he's for anyone who votes Republican. He also told attendees that a vote for a Libertarian candidate puts the Republican Party at risk.

He also compared Democratic candidate for Indiana governor Jennifer McCormick to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, adding that Republican leadership is needed to continue moving Indiana in the right direction.

"Now is not the time to sit back. Now is not the time to be complacent," he concluded. "We need every county to step up, over perform and have huge voter turnout"

Other speakers included Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales.

As Braun's running mate, Beckwith noted they've been going after Democrats' "woke" agenda, the teaching of critical race theory in schools and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within federal agencies.

"He's not holding back any punches," Beckwith said of Braun. "The leadership that he's bringing is exactly the leadership that we need in Indiana."

He went on to say that Braun could be like a Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, for Indiana and put the state on the map for being conservative with a capital C.

Morales spoke on efforts to support free, fair and safe elections. Those efforts include hand-delivering election improvement grants to counties, Fulton County included, cleaning up voter rolls and requiring proof of citizenship to vote. It also includes eliminating private and foreign involvement in elections, as well as that of the federal government, he said.

The event wrapped up with a beef raffle and auction, with proceeds to support the party, but not before party members who have passed away were remembered. They included Judy Reed, Kathy Siders and Dick and Joe Day.