By TERRY HENDERSON and ANDREW TAKAMI
Henderson
Editor’s note: Andrew Takami and Terry Henderson were U.S. Senate Candidates for Indiana in the 2018 Republican Primary election.
Over a year ago, two candidates in the Republican Primary for US Senate met in Southern Indiana during a county Lincoln Day Dinner.
As candidates, we expected to eat yet another chicken dinner, meet local Republicans and community leaders, as well as quickly give our pitches for our respective candidacies. What we didn’t expect was the formation of a close friendship based not on shared backgrounds, but on a shared vision for Indiana, our communities and our country.
Our backgrounds
Andrew Takami, a leader in higher education from south central Indiana, and Terry Henderson, a businessman from north central Indiana, were very different, yet what we had in common were our views and strong belief that we needed change today and for future generations.
During the months that followed, we stayed in close contact though our location and professional backgrounds differed greatly. Through our numerous late evening conversations, it became clear what we had most in common was our heartfelt interest for having a US Senator with the necessary life experiences, skills, integrity and talents to make a difference in Washington.
What we didn’t know at the time, of course, was the very person we were describing and stumping for wouldn’t be ourselves. It would be Mike Braun.
Braun’s extensive business background and proven capabilities are desperately needed in the U.S. Senate. His skills and methodologies will complement other members of the Senate. Braun will provide balance to other members who have other expertise, and challenge those who wish to do nothing. He’ll get down to business and work to effectively represent Hoosiers.
The founders of our country didn’t intend for politics to be a career.
The purpose of public service is for citizens with proven real-life knowledge and experiences, such as self-made businessman Mike Braun, to get elected, effectively serve constituents and return home to life and family. Braun will incorporate his successful business experience and bring valuable tools and insight to Washington. It’ll truly make a difference.
As in business, we’re well aware that this journey will be an uphill battle. Braun has faced battles before in his own business and managed to create a working environment for his employees that not only allows them to operate effectively, but also provides them with a complete benefits package including a health insurance plan with premiums that haven’t gone up in eight years.
Contrary to the onslaught of negative ads, we know Braun is a proven leader with extreme integrity and admirable character because we’ve each gotten to know him on a personal level. One thing Braun never hesitates to mention is his commitment to serve no more than two terms. This is how the system is supposed to work.
The time for career politicians is behind us. And in Indiana, it’s time for proven business leaders to come forward with their expertise and use them to be effective for the people. This is certainly true in our Indiana race for the U.S. Senate.
Braun is the epitome of a conservative hardworking Hoosier with the vision, courage and insight our country and state so badly need.
This is a pivotal time and the stakes have never been higher. The opportunity for Indiana to make a difference for future generations is now. We’ve got to understand that things will not change in Washington unless we start electing Hoosiers with experiences outside of the typical political playbook.
Join us as we successfully complete this heartfelt endeavor to support and elect our friend Mike Braun as the next Senator for our great state.
About Terry Henderson
Terry and his wife, Beth, live in Atlanta, Ind., where they own and operate an ag technology training and communications company. They have two adult children.
About Andrew Takami
Andrew and his wife, Ann, live in Floyds Knobs, Ind. Andrew’s background is in higher education and building communities through philanthropy. He and his wife have three young children.