Weingarten looks forward to leading county Democratic Party

The County Line

It doesn’t sound like a job many people would want, being Democratic Party chairman in Hamilton County. And, the job doesn’t pay anything. But, Joe Weingarten asked for it, got it and is looking forward to the challenge.

The 11-year Fishers resident took over the position in March from Keith Clock who gave it up after serving more than 10 years. Weingarten wants to invigorate the party which hasn’t won a major office since Robert Wical was elected mayor of Noblesville 42 years ago.

The chairman’s job is to assemble and maintain a county organization of over 200 precinct committeemen, raise campaign funds, and spearhead an effort to win those elective offices on the local ballot.

Next year features big local elections with 58 positions on county ballots including those of nine state legislators whose districts are entirely or partially in Hamilton County, 13 county offices, nine township trustee offices and 27 township board seats. Every one of these offices is currently held by a Republican, many of whom have good name ID and generally favorable reviews on job performance.

Weingarten’s job would seem overwhelming. So, what’s he going to do?

He is going get more aggressive in speaking out on issues. He says, for example, that local officials are organizing Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs) when they are not needed. He says he will question such things as Fishers’ payment of huge fees for a politically connected attorney to represent the city in Washington.

But, nuts and bolts are important too, Weingarten realizes. He claims to have 70 percent of the precinct committeemen jobs filled, and is encouraging party auxiliary groups such as a women’s Democratic organization and high school Democratic clubs. In early June there will be a ‘candidates school’ for persons interested in running for office next year.

The new party chairman sees a future for the county party which has been in the minority since the Civil War. He says more Democrats or folks that can be persuaded to vote for the party candidates, are moving into the county.

While Weingarten is officially retired, he operates a small business and is heavily involved with Boy Scouts as well as working on his political agenda. His task of building a party is not going to be easy. Republicans are aware of his plans and of the demographics that show more Democrats moving in. But, there are also a lot of new Republicans who have been leaving Indianapolis for years.

So, don’t look for a Democratic sweep in the near future, but hints of a two-party system may be on the way; not a bad thing for either party because with no competition the only existing party can become lax, and that’s no good and no fun in our political system.