Republicans invited, but decline to attend
On Tuesday, June 28, Tom McDermott (candidate for U.S. Senate), Jeannine Lee Lake (candidate for Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District), Jocelyn Vare (candidate for Indiana Senate District 31), Victoria Garcia Wilburn (candidate for Indiana House District 32), and the Libertarian Party of Indiana will continue the “2022 Town Hall Series,” an effort by the Indiana Democratic Party to hear from all voters about the top issues facing Hoosier families ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
The nonpartisan town hall will start at 6 p.m. in the Fishers branch of Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Drive.
Invitations have been extended to representatives of not only the Democratic Party, but also Republican and Libertarian candidates and elected officials, to participate in the town hall. This event is one of many across the state, and its purpose is simple: Let’s talk.
Indiana Democrats say they have a plan to address the kitchen-table issues that are important to voters, from inflation and public safety to education and affordable healthcare. Candidates and elected officials will answer as many questions as possible during a 90-minute session, and the hope is that all political parties will join the conversation.
As of press time, Indiana Republicans have declined to attend. For the sake of constituents, Indiana Democrats continue to ask for their participation and hope for their involvement.
This is the third statewide tour where the Indiana Democratic Party has made a stop in Hamilton County since Dayna Colbert began her tenure as Chair for the county party last March, and she says she hopes to see more citizen participation.
Colbert
“In Hamilton County, we believe our residents have more common interests than they have political differences,” Colbert said. “We also feel strongly that transparency and open communication are vital in empowering citizens to become active participants in their own democracy. While it may not be typical, we felt it was imperative for voters to hear from all major political parties, especially during this election season.”
Colbert says it’s important for all parties to engage with voters in an open, civil forum.
“We’d like to see Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians alike come together, ask the hard questions, and better understand the legislative landscape and how it will impact their lives,” Colbert said. “Ultimately, we hope it forms new constituent relationships that continue long after this town hall concludes. Although the Indiana General Assembly’s supermajority has brought about even more redistricting, which has made races harder to win and fractured many constituencies, we want to do what we can to ensure that citizens and the press have access to their elected officials. This is our duty.”
Recently, the Indiana Democratic Party has held nearly 100 events in more than 60 counties to share how they say President Joe Biden and leaders like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have delivered for the Hoosier State.
From creating jobs, expanding broadband, funding Indiana’s public schools, and revitalizing the state’s many infrastructure systems, Democrats say they are working to solve the kitchen-table issues that are important to voters – despite the opposition – and that they have a plan to create a better tomorrow for families. They say this dialogue will be key in bringing balance back to the statehouse.