From: Steve Schoettmer
Elizabethtown
On Feb. 12, the Indiana Democratic Party brought its “Jobs Tour” to the Anderson Center, here in Columbus. It was an opportunity for folks to hear party leaders and candidates about the jobs and opportunities created by the American Rescue Plan and The Jobs Act, which have brought much need funding for infrastructure to our community.
I was disappointed that The Republic did not cover the event. Voters got to hear from Democratic elected leaders and candidates for local, state, and federal offices. They learned of how the Rescue Plan created jobs, fully funded the state’s READI program, and is responsible for broadband expansion projects across the state.
At the Jobs Tour meeting, local leaders like Ross Thomas, candidate for Indiana House District 59, spoke about his support for public education and for legalizing marijuana for adults in Indiana. Cinde Wirth, candidate for Congress in the 6th District, spoke of the importance of investing in our rural communities with improved schools, improved roads and bridges and rural broadband. Democrats’ candidate for Secretary of State, Destiny Wells, even spoke about improving turnout in state elections and why Democrats must do everything they possibly can to prioritize rural communities.
But it was State Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, who informed us with a sad reality. He recounted how two Republican legislators, on two different occasions and months apart from each other, admitted the Indiana GOP had no plan for small-town Indiana. Republicans told Delaney the writing was on the wall and small towns were going away.
This was a dynamic event showcasing how Democrats want to cut through the culture war noise of the Republicans and share how we’ve delivered for Hoosier families in all 92 counties, including Bartholomew. The event was also to remind voters that Republicans are trying to take credit for the work Democrats accomplished for the state. The Republic’s readers would have benefitted greatly from reading about the event. Hopefully, as election season moves forward, we can expect more balanced coverage.
Editor’s note: This letter is paid political content. It is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
