The Megathread for All Things Hoosier!

[Yellowhammer]

Zody is running for State Senate this year, aiming to replace a retiring Democrat.

Honestly, I hope this means the end of his tenure with the state party.  If the party wants to regain its relevance, it needs a chairman who knows what the hell they're doing.

Hopefully they will go the way of the Alabama dems.

[Frenchrepublican]

If Pete doesn’t become President the DSCC are going to be knocking on his doorstep on November 4th.

The Senate ? LOL

Buttigieg would get trounced by Young, there is no way that Buttigieg wins a statewide race with all the liberal positions he is now espousing. And even without them winning a senate seat in Indiana would really hard for him, why do you think that he is running for president ? Because a gubernatorial run would have been suicide.

I think Buttigieg's political future is him getting out of Indiana. He lives in Walorski's congressional district which is winnable for a Democrat, and he chose to run for DNC Chair and for President. I never thought he'd win the nomination - still don't, blacks hate him too much considering their percentage of the Democratic primary electorate - but he's looking to be the VP nominee or some kind of cabinet/agency chief job.

The Indiana Democratic Party is effectively a dead organization statewide. I was looking at candidate filings yesterday with a buddy in Whitley County (county west of Fort Wayne) and not a single Democrat filed there for anything except State Convention Delegate.

IN-2 is not winnable for them ; two years ago they spent $ 4M against Walorski and she still won 54/45, this ditrict is gone

[StateBoiler]

Zody is running for State Senate this year, aiming to replace a retiring Democrat.

Honestly, I hope this means the end of his tenure with the state party.  If the party wants to regain its relevance, it needs a chairman who knows what the hell they're doing.

I imagine that's his golden parachute landing pad so he can leave the state leadership without it appearing he was forced out, albeit not that golden becoming a member of a party that's down in the State Senate 40-10.

[Tekken_Guy]

Pete’s not a Bernie. I agree that he probably won’t beat Todd Young but he could make the race interesting, especially if the Indy suburbs turn hard against the GOP.

[StateBoiler]

Todd Rokita must be running for Attorney General. He sent me a Facebook friend request. And our 3 mutual friends are all running to be State Convention delegates, as am I.

Per Howey:

Attorney General Hill faces 60-day suspension

“The position of Indiana Attorney General is an executive branch equivalent of a judicial officer. The Indiana Attorney General is the highest level of attorney in the State of Indiana. The Indiana Attorney General and the Office of the Indiana Attorney General serve the citizens of the State of Indiana by enforcing the laws of the state. Accordingly, the Indiana Attorney General’s duty to conform his or her behavior to the law arises from more than his or her status as an attorney. The Indiana Attorney General holds a position of public trust and engages in work that has a wide impact across the state. (The attorney general’s behavior was ) offensive, invasive, damaging, and embarrassing.”

- Judicial hearing officer Myra Selby, recommending a 60-day suspension for Attorney General Curtis Hill, without automatic reinstatement. Selby said that Hill has “showed no insight regarding the impact of his actions.” It is unclear if Hill’s suspension and lack of automatic reinstatement would allow Gov. Eric Holcomb to appoint a replacement. Holcomb has called on Hill to resign due to the state’s “zero tolerance” of sexual harassment. Hill has 30 days to appeal. Selby also noted that “As Attorney General, he used his state office staff and others to engage in a public campaign to defend himself and intimidate the complainants.]/quote]

[StateBoiler]

Hill:

Didn't take long, race card getting played. https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-hill-discipline-recommendation-raises-race-bias-concerns

http://www.therepublic.com/2020/02/17/us-indiana-attorney-general-groping-allegations-2/

It remained unclear Monday whether Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill could remain in as the state government’s top lawyer if the Indiana Supreme Court agreed with a hearing officer’s recommendation released Friday that his law license be suspended for at least 60 days.

Hill has denied wrongdoing and rebuffed calls from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and other GOP state officials for his resignation for his actions during the March 2018 party at an Indianapolis bar marking the end of that year’s legislative session.

Former state Supreme Court Justice Myra Selby wrote in her report to the court that Hill’s “conduct was offensive, invasive, damaging and embarrassing” to the women. She recommended a 60-day suspension of his law license without automatic reinstatement under which the sanction could continue indefinitely until lifted by the state Supreme Court, which will make the final decision in the professional misconduct case.

James Bopp, a Terre Haute attorney who is a former vice chairman of the Republican National Committee, objected to Selby’s findings that Hill should be held to a higher standard of conduct because of his status as the state’s top law enforcement officer.

“He should not be treated more harshly because he is a public official, that’s the job of the voters,” said Bopp, who helped start a legal defense fund for Hill in 2018. “When people do things in office, they’re judged by the voters.”

Messages seeking comment were left Monday for attorneys who represented Hill during an October hearing before Selby. Hill’s attorneys have 30 days to submit filings to the Supreme Court, which doesn’t face a deadline for ruling.

The wait for that decision comes as Hill is seeking reelection to the office he first won in 2016, but first needs to win nomination in June’s state Republican convention. He’s being opposed by Adam Krupp, who stepped down in January as the Holcomb-appointed head of the state revenue department to run for attorney general.

The court’s decision is key as state law requires the attorney general to be “duly licensed to practice law in Indiana” but doesn’t otherwise specify those law license requirements.

Republican Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, who called for Hill’s resignation in 2018, said he believed Hill could remain in office while under a short-term suspension, although the prospect of an indefinite suspension causes uncertainty that he hoped the five-member Supreme Court would address in its final ruling.

“I will publicly ask for them to give clarity to the state on the issue rather than making someone file (a lawsuit) for clarity after the fact,” Bosma said.

The governor’s office has lawyers reviewing the issue but didn’t have additional comment Monday, Holcomb spokeswoman Rachel Hoffmeyer said.

Bopp said he believed Hill could continue in office during a suspension handling administrative matters while delegating any legal work to others.

The allegations against Hill include that he grabbed the buttocks of Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon and inappropriately touched and made unwelcomed sexual comments toward three female legislative staffers — ages 23 to 26 at the time. A special prosecutor declined to file criminal charges and the women have filed a federal lawsuit against Hill and the state accusing him of sexual harassment and defamation.

Selby found that Hill used his state office “to intimidate the four women who alleged misconduct, three of whom were young women at the onset of their careers. (Hill’s) unwavering public campaign in defense of himself showed little restraint and amplified the impact of his conduct on the four women.”

Bopp contrasted the proposed punishment for Hill to the 60- or 30-day suspensions  ordered by the Supreme Court for three southern Indiana judges  whose actions during a night of downtown Indianapolis bar-hopping escalated a fight during which two of them were shot.

Selby concluded that Hill committed a misdemeanor-level battery offense, but that the state attorney disciplinary commission didn’t prove the more serious allegation of sexual battery.

“In that context I just think the recommended punishment is grossly excessive,” Bopp said. “I just think treating him way more severely is just not justified.”

Indiana House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Torr said it would likely fall to the state Supreme Court to state whether a temporary attorney suspension would allow Holcomb to appoint a replacement for Hill.

“If he was disbarred, the answer would be obvious,” said Torr, a Carmel Republican. “In this case, the answer would not be so obvious.”

In addition to Krump officially running against Hill for Attorney General at the State Convention, there's also Zionsville lawyer John Westercamp whose candidacy seems to have found little traction, and Todd Rokita is not officially in but is floating out there.

[StateBoiler]

https://howeypolitics.com/Content/Columns/Columns/Article/Brian-Howey-The-Curtis-Hill-elephant-on-the-table/10/20/23137

Brian Howey: The Curtis Hill elephant on the table

 By BRIAN A. HOWEY, Publisher
 
Sunday, February 23, 2020 9:30 AM
 
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Supreme Court faces a “political” decision that will be known in the next three weeks: What to do about Attorney General Curtis Hill?
   
 Former justice Myra Selby determined a 60-day suspension in light of his 2018 sine die party horndogging, in which he was accused of groping a Democratic legislator and three staffers. She also recommended no automatic return to office. Indiana law requires the AG to be “duly licensed to practice law in Indiana.”
   
In Selby’s words, “By seeking and accepting the responsibilities of the office of Indiana attorney general, (Hill) undertook to conduct himself both officially and personally in accordance with the highest standards that the citizens of the state of Indiana can expect.”
   
So if the Supremes accept Selby’s recommendation, Hill “likely would be forced to immediately vacate his office because he no longer could practice law,” according to NWI Times reporter Dan Carden.
   
 This has never happened since the 1851 Indiana Constitution became the law of the land.
   
 And it begs all sorts of questions. Is the alleged behavior by Hill that kind for which any other lawyer in Indiana would be disciplined? Over the years, we’ve seen aberrant behavior by attorneys who were also legislators. If Hill is to be held to a different standard than other attorneys, such a result will raise interesting and difficult questions for all attorneys who are elected or appointed officials and admitted to the practice of law. What is the relevant standard for those attorneys?
   
 Terre Haute attorney Jim Bopp Jr., a former Republican National Committeeman, argues, “He should not be treated more harshly because he is a public official. That’s the job of the voters. When people do things in office, they’re judged by the voters.”
   
And fresh off President Trump’s impeachment acquittal in the U.S. Senate, one of the chief restraints of Republican “jurors” was their reluctance of overturning the will of the people. Indiana is one of 43 states to elect their attorney general.
   
 Those Republican officials who have called for “zero tolerance” on sexual harassment and assaults willfully greet President Trump at the airport and take the stage with him despite some two dozen allegations of such behavior from an array of credible victims, including a former Miss Indiana.
   
 Should Attorney General Hill be held for a different standard than President Trump? In 2016, a clear majority of Hoosiers voted (including the evangelical wing) for Trump despite these troubling proclivities.
   
 The Hill dilemma could reach a crescendo in June if he is nominated for a second term. That might produce the awkward moment of the GOP ticket on stage, hands joined and raised, which probably won’t happen if Hill is renominated.

 Gov. Eric Holcomb, then as a top aide to Gov. Mitch Daniels, knows all too well about such a moment. Republican delegates rebuked Daniels at the 2008 convention in a year he was reelected by a landslide, nominating Greg Zoeller over Daniels’ preference, Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas. It was a lesson Holcomb would not forget. Thus his reluctance to annoint a Hill challenger.   
   
 The 2016 Indiana Republican Convention delegates did not have a stellar year. Not only did they select Hill, they also nominated Supt. Jennifer McCormick, who went rogue on the GOP’s orthodoxy on school vouchers, joining then Democratic gubernatorial contender Eddie Melton on a listening tour last summer and dallying with a potential lieutenant governor nomination before he exited the race in January.
   
 A different route for the governor could be to exert pressure on the Supreme Court, via the Judicial Nominating Commission, of which the governor has three of the seven appointments. The JNC did Gov. Mike Pence’s bidding when it circumvented the Supreme Court selection of Peter Rusthoven as one of three nominees. Rusthoven’s political sin had been his testimony against the constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.
   
 House Speaker Brian Bosma, who joined Holcomb’s call for Hill to resign in July 2018, acknowledged the dilemma and lack of “clarity.” He told the Associated Press, “I will publicly ask for them to give clarity to the state on the issue rather than making someone file (a lawsuit) for clarity after the fact.”
   
The AP also reported that the governor’s lawyers are reviewing the situation.
   
 Here at the apex of the of GOP super majority rule, when it holds all the state constitutional offices, both General Assembly chambers, nine of the 11 congressional seats, 80% of county offices, 90% of county commissioners, a historic number of city halls, and is home to the U.S. vice president, the Hill dilemma is conspicuous.
   
 Attorney General Hill finds significant support on the social conservative wing of the party. He presided over the South Bend “funeral” of 2,400 fetal remains last week from the Dr. Ulrich Klopfer tragedy, and has a penchant of filing pro-life amicus briefs at the federal level.
   
 So Hill is not going to go quietly.
   
 That’s why I term the coming Supreme Court verdict on Hill political. It won’t alter the balance of power in Indiana. But as the party’s only minority officeholder in the Statehouse, he has created the proverbial elephant on the table.

[StateBoiler]

For those wanting to parachute Buttigieg in to the Indiana governor's race, filing has already closed. So the only way it can occur is by doing an Evan Bayh Special of Myers wins the primary, then withdraws, and the State Democratic Committee selects a replacement.

[libertpaulian]

For those wanting to parachute Buttigieg in to the Indiana governor's race, filing has already closed. So the only way it can occur is by doing an Evan Bayh Special of Myers wins the primary, then withdraws, and the State Democratic Committee selects a replacement.

Buttigieg is likely to run for President again (or at least another major office), and if he wants to be successful in winning any office in the future, he needs credibility with African-Americans.  If he wants to build such credibility, taking out the man who would be Indiana's first Black Governor wouldn't be a very good idea.  (Yes, Holcomb has a 99.999% chance of re-election, but it's all about optics.)

[StateBoiler]

For those wanting to parachute Buttigieg in to the Indiana governor's race, filing has already closed. So the only way it can occur is by doing an Evan Bayh Special of Myers wins the primary, then withdraws, and the State Democratic Committee selects a replacement.

Buttigieg is likely to run for President again (or at least another major office), and if he wants to be successful in winning any office in the future, he needs credibility with African-Americans.  If he wants to build such credibility, taking out the man who would be Indiana's first Black Governor wouldn't be a very good idea.  (Yes, Holcomb has a 99.999% chance of re-election, but it's all about optics.)

I expect him and his husband will put their house in South Bend up for sale and move somewhere he has a more likely chance of winning.

Howey's take:

Mayor Pete's next move will come ... nationally

Monday, March 2, 2020 9:14 AM

By BRIAN A. HOWEY

 INDIANAPOLIS - There was almost a comical reflex in some Indiana media quarters in the wake of Pete Buttigieg's withdrawal from the Democratic presidential race Sunday night. There were tweets of the former South Bend mayor shoving Woody Myers aside to make a run for governor this year. Other than vowing to "do everything in my power to ensure that we have a new Democratic president come January," he did not announce an endorsement of Joe Biden or any other plans.

 Buttigieg passed back in 2018 on what would have been a natural progression of running statewide for governor, opting for the presidential race after running for Democratic National Committee chair in 2017. Buttigieg has clearly placed his future in a national context. He had run statewide for treasurer in 2010, losing to incumbent Republican Richard Mourdock. He would have had to work hard at carrying Indiana in the May presidential primary, and this gay Democrat almost certainly won't take on Holcomb with an $8 million money lead this year.

 A Democratic gubernatorial with little party infrastructure in place and no hope of bringing in Democratic General Assembly majorities offers no enticement for a presidential candidate to recalibrate at the state level, thus the notion of retraining his sights on Holcomb after dropping out of the White House race is absurd.

 As far as taking the nomination from Myers to challenge Gov. Holcomb, that's just a silly notion that backfired in 2016 when Evan Bayh shoved aside Baron Hill in the U.S. Senate race. Young easily defeated Bayh. Buttigieg has long disdained the notion of serving in Congress. He passed multiple times of challenging U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and we would be shocked if he decided to challenge U.S. Sen. Todd Young in 2022. Most government executives find serving in the U.S. Senate insufferable.

Buttigieg tweeted Sunday, "We launched our campaign because Americans are hungry for a new kind of politics that brings us together. And together we'll beat this president and build the era that must come next." Nationally.

 Buttigieg would seem to be a lock for a Democratic cabinet post for any nominee not named Bernie Sanders. He established enough cred to vividly be in the 2024 or 2028 presidential race conversation, depending on what happens this November. That's why his supporters began chanting "2024!" at the Century Center last night.

 MSNBC's Joe Scarborough tweeted, "Great politicians know when to charge ahead and when to stand down. Mayor Pete ran an incredible campaign that exceeded all expectations. His ability to make the difficult decision tonight tells me he will be a major player in American politics for a long time to come."

 Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne added, "That was an extraordinary exit speech by
 @PeteButtigieg — so extraordinary that it wasn’t an exit speech at all but the beginning of the next chapter of a life that will make a difference in the lives of others. Good to hear a politician willing to defend the nobility of politics."

 What comes next for Mayor Pete will play out ... nationally.

[libertpaulian]

For those wanting to parachute Buttigieg in to the Indiana governor's race, filing has already closed. So the only way it can occur is by doing an Evan Bayh Special of Myers wins the primary, then withdraws, and the State Democratic Committee selects a replacement.

Buttigieg is likely to run for President again (or at least another major office), and if he wants to be successful in winning any office in the future, he needs credibility with African-Americans.  If he wants to build such credibility, taking out the man who would be Indiana's first Black Governor wouldn't be a very good idea.  (Yes, Holcomb has a 99.999% chance of re-election, but it's all about optics.)

I expect him and his husband will put their house in South Bend up for sale and move somewhere he has a more likely chance of winning.

Howey's take:

Mayor Pete's next move will come ... nationally

Monday, March 2, 2020 9:14 AM

By BRIAN A. HOWEY

 INDIANAPOLIS - There was almost a comical reflex in some Indiana media quarters in the wake of Pete Buttigieg's withdrawal from the Democratic presidential race Sunday night. There were tweets of the former South Bend mayor shoving Woody Myers aside to make a run for governor this year. Other than vowing to "do everything in my power to ensure that we have a new Democratic president come January," he did not announce an endorsement of Joe Biden or any other plans.

 Buttigieg passed back in 2018 on what would have been a natural progression of running statewide for governor, opting for the presidential race after running for Democratic National Committee chair in 2017. Buttigieg has clearly placed his future in a national context. He had run statewide for treasurer in 2010, losing to incumbent Republican Richard Mourdock. He would have had to work hard at carrying Indiana in the May presidential primary, and this gay Democrat almost certainly won't take on Holcomb with an $8 million money lead this year.

 A Democratic gubernatorial with little party infrastructure in place and no hope of bringing in Democratic General Assembly majorities offers no enticement for a presidential candidate to recalibrate at the state level, thus the notion of retraining his sights on Holcomb after dropping out of the White House race is absurd.

 As far as taking the nomination from Myers to challenge Gov. Holcomb, that's just a silly notion that backfired in 2016 when Evan Bayh shoved aside Baron Hill in the U.S. Senate race. Young easily defeated Bayh. Buttigieg has long disdained the notion of serving in Congress. He passed multiple times of challenging U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and we would be shocked if he decided to challenge U.S. Sen. Todd Young in 2022. Most government executives find serving in the U.S. Senate insufferable.

Buttigieg tweeted Sunday, "We launched our campaign because Americans are hungry for a new kind of politics that brings us together. And together we'll beat this president and build the era that must come next." Nationally.

 Buttigieg would seem to be a lock for a Democratic cabinet post for any nominee not named Bernie Sanders. He established enough cred to vividly be in the 2024 or 2028 presidential race conversation, depending on what happens this November. That's why his supporters began chanting "2024!" at the Century Center last night.

 MSNBC's Joe Scarborough tweeted, "Great politicians know when to charge ahead and when to stand down. Mayor Pete ran an incredible campaign that exceeded all expectations. His ability to make the difficult decision tonight tells me he will be a major player in American politics for a long time to come."

 Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne added, "That was an extraordinary exit speech by
 @PeteButtigieg — so extraordinary that it wasn’t an exit speech at all but the beginning of the next chapter of a life that will make a difference in the lives of others. Good to hear a politician willing to defend the nobility of politics."

 What comes next for Mayor Pete will play out ... nationally.

I don't think so.  South Bend is a key part of his identity, in his blood, much like how El Paso is for Beto.

[StateBoiler]

I don't think so.  South Bend is a key part of his identity, in his blood, much like how El Paso is for Beto.

Then he won't get elected to anything ever again. His only future is a D.C. bureaucrat. The most winnable thing he has is Walorski's seat and he has zero interest. Beyond that is statewide.

The Democrats are a dead party in this state until they drastically change some points of view on some items. They're dead enough to the point of the right other organization can come along and displace them for 2nd party status everywhere except Marion and Lake Counties and a couple college towns. Their local organization in most counties is a complete joke.

[libertpaulian]

I don't think so.  South Bend is a key part of his identity, in his blood, much like how El Paso is for Beto.

Then he won't get elected to anything ever again. His only future is a D.C. bureaucrat. The most winnable thing he has is Walorski's seat and he has zero interest. Beyond that is statewide.

The Democrats are a dead party in this state until they drastically change some points of view on some items. They're dead enough to the point of the right other organization can come along and displace them for 2nd party status everywhere except Marion and Lake Counties and a couple college towns. Their local organization in most counties is a complete joke.

His only hope, honestly, is either Biden's VP or a Cabinet spot.

[lfromnj]

I don't think so.  South Bend is a key part of his identity, in his blood, much like how El Paso is for Beto.

Then he won't get elected to anything ever again. His only future is a D.C. bureaucrat. The most winnable thing he has is Walorski's seat and he has zero interest. Beyond that is statewide.

The Democrats are a dead party in this state until they drastically change some points of view on some items. They're dead enough to the point of the right other organization can come along and displace them for 2nd party status everywhere except Marion and Lake Counties and a couple college towns. Their local organization in most counties is a complete joke.

Walorskis seat is redder than Indiana.

[StateBoiler]

Regarding Hill, this bill is moving through the General Assembly.

https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/lawmakers-race-to-wrap-up-legislation-before-final-week-of/article_10ea0aee-5e5d-11ea-8f9d-3b22696ef4b5.html

Senate Bill 178: Covers a range of election matters

What it does: SB 178 covers a number of election regulations, but the most controversial would prevent anyone from holding the attorney general’s office if his or her law license has been suspended for more than 30 days in the previous five years. What’s more, it would prevent that individual from running for office.

What happened: SB 178 passed the House by 82-14 vote and targets Attorney General Curtis Hill, who faces punishment from the state’s Disciplinary Commission on charges he grabbed and groped four women at a legislative gathering two years ago. Rep. John Bartlett, D-Indianapolis, argued against the bill, saying he didn’t believe that lawmakers should be enacting legislation that affects one person—Hill. Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, who offered the amendment targeting Hill, raised the question: “What is the standard we find acceptable?” A hearing officer in Hill’s disciplinary case has recommended that his license be suspended for 60 days without an automatic renewal. Hill is seeking re-election.

What’s next: The bill will now return to Senate for a vote on whether to agree with the changes from the House. If the Senate concurs the bill would go to the governor or if there is a dissent, SB 178 would go to a conference committee to reach agreement on a final version.

AG Curtis Hill could be removed from office if license gets suspended, under Statehouse bill

Matt McKinney

3:07 PM, Mar 02, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill could be removed from office if his law license is revoked over allegations of sexual misconduct, under an amendment expected to be heard Monday in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Rep. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola, has filed an amendment to create new qualifications for an Indiana attorney general. The candidate must not have been disbarred in Indiana or suspended from practicing law in Indiana for 30 or more days in the last five years.

"This is an impeachment in disguise," Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said.

If it becomes law and Hill is removed, he would be unable to run again for the position for five years.

The attorney general's office released the following statement on the amendment:

“This raises some legal concerns – and this kind of rushed proposal lacks transparency and leaves no opportunity for public input.”

In October, Hill’s case was discussed in a disciplinary trial, presided over by former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Myra Selby. Last month, Selby recommended Hill lose his law license for 60 days, without automatic reinstatement.

Hill is accused of inappropriately touching four women at a party at AJ’s Lounge on March 15, 2018.

Selby's report said Hill's conduct with four women at the 2018 party "offensive, invasive, damaging and embarrassing." The report goes on: "As Attorney General, he used his state office staff and others to engage in a public campaign to defend himself and intimidate the complainants."

The Indiana Supreme Court has the final saw on what, if any, punishment Hill faces.

Under Wesco’s amendment, an attorney general vacancy would be filled by the governor, who would choose somebody of the same political party as the previous officeholder.

The amendment to SB 178 passed the House on Second Reading, 83-9.

[StateBoiler]

Senate dissented to the Wesco amendment to the election bill so it will go to a conference committee.

Pretty brazen, imagine it'd get dropped, although getting a supersupermajority in the House seems to demonstrate this is a way of getting rid of Hill pre-Convention keeping Holcomb's and Hupfer's hands clean.

If the amendment stands and is signed into law, if the Supreme Court rules that Hill should have his law license suspended as the hearing officer recommended, Hill would be removed from office and Holcomb would nominate a replacement.

Reading summary of the bill, this was the most dry "minor elections reform" bill beforehand. It passed the Senate 47-0.

Various election matters:

-Requires the election division instead of the Indiana election commission to prescribe a uniform generic seal for use on certain ballots when the circuit court clerk is a candidate on the ballot.
-Provides that a candidate for the office of attorney general may not have been disbarred in Indiana or suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for at least 30 days without automatic reinstatement at any time during the period of five years before taking office.
-Provides that if the individual who holds the office of attorney general is disbarred in Indiana or suspended from  the practice of law in Indiana for at least 30 days, the individual forfeits the office and a vacancy in the office exists.
-Requires certification by the county chairman of a candidate in a political party primary or town convention if the candidate cast a nonpartisan ballot at the most recent primary election in which the candidate voted beginning in January, 2021.
-Updates municipal primary dates.
-Prohibits the printing of an independent or political party device on a ballot under specified circumstances.
-Specifies ballot placement of names when there are both at-large and district candidates.
-Specifies that language in a public question not contain beginning and ending quotation marks.
-Adds references to the Porter County election board.
-Adds references to instances in which an absentee ballot may be recast.
-Adds references to vote centers.
-Specifies a procedure for folding ballots when voting in front of an absentee voter board.
-Specifies a comparison of signature upon receipt of an absentee ballot and time frame.
-Sets forth a procedure if a county election board does not unanimously determine that an absentee ballot signature is genuine.
-States that the position of an absentee ballot counter or a provisional ballot counter is not a lucrative office for purposes of the state Constitution.
-Authorizes the secretary of state to establish a pilot program during the May, 2020 primary for testing of a voting system.
-Requires precinct returns to be sent to the director of the board of elections and registration if the counting location is outside the county.
-Allows a member of the Indiana election commission to appoint a proxy, and specifies the process and limitations.
-Adds a Level 6 felony for inducing or procuring another person to vote or refrain from voting for or against a candidate or public question at: (1) a caucus; or (2) the appointment of a candidate by a political party chairman or central committee officer; by giving, offering, or promising a person money or other property.
-Changes certification of a question on a referendum from 60 days to 74 days.
-Repeals language concerning absentee ballots (moving some language to central voting statutes) and repeals certain absentee voter boards.

[StateBoiler]

https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/committee-strips-language-that-could-remove-ag-hill-from-office-if-suspended

Automatic removal of Hill if suspended has been removed from the elections bill by the conference committee, but if he is suspended without automatic reinstatement, he could not be a candidate for Attorney General on the ballot in November.

Sine Die Day is today. Today is Bosma's last day as Speaker of the House.

A legislative amendment that would have disqualified from office an attorney general or candidate whose law license was suspended for 30 days or more has been stripped of key language removing disciplined AGs from office.

A conference committee on Senate Bill 178 met Wednesday to consider Rep. Tim Wesco’s amendment to the bill, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Indiana House. The original version of the bill would have required sitting AGs to leave office if they were suspended for 30 days or more, and would have disqualified AG candidates who were suspended for 30 days or more within five years of the election.

Notably, Wesco’s original language had the potential to remove incumbent AG Curtis Hill from office or from the November ballot if the Indiana Supreme Court upholds a recommendation that he be suspended for 60 days without automatic reinstatement for allegations of battery against four women.

But the language put forth by Sen. Mark Messmer, the Republican who chaired the conference committee, would only disqualify AG candidates who have been suspended without automatic reinstatement within five years of an election, or who have been disbarred. The conference language does not address discipline of incumbent officeholders.

That language still has the capability of removing Hill from the November ballot if the Indiana justices agree that he should be suspended without automatic reinstatement. That decision would have to come before the November election to have an impact on Hill.

But if Hill – or any of the four other AG candidates – were suspended during the election cycle with automatic reinstatement, they could remain on the ballot. Democratic Rep. Ryan Dvorak noted in committee that a candidate could receive a one-year suspension with automatic reinstatement and remain on the ballot, potentially impacting the beginning of their term as attorney general.

Aside from Hill, Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp and former Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp are seeking the GOP nomination for attorney general. Democratic State Sen. Karen Tallian and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are seeking the Democratic nod.

Both Wesco and Rep. Brian Bosma, the Indianapolis Republican who just ended his term as House Speaker, said they preferred the House version of SB 178, which also addressed incumbent discipline. Bosma said the case law on the issue of a disciplined attorney general is “extraordinarily unclear” on what the requirement for an AG to have an “active” law license means.

“But this is better than no clarity at all,” Bosma added.

Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, raised constitutional and due process questions about the implications of the language for AG Hill.

Randolph noted a special prosecutor declined to charge Hill, while the Indiana Southern District Court dismissed a federal lawsuit against him related to the underlying sexual misconduct accusations. If he were removed from the ballot pursuant to SB 178, would that constitute an additional punishment?

Both Bosma and Messmer said no.

They also disagreed with Randolph’s suggestion that removing Hill from the election would be a removal without a hearing. Similarly, they rejected Randolph’s contention that passage of the legislation would influence the Supreme Court’s disciplinary decision.

“I doubt they’re waiting with bated breath,” Messmer said of the justices.

Randolph drew on this year’s impeachment proceedings when he offered his suggestion on how to handle Hill’s situation. Like the U.S. Senate said of President Donald Trump, Randolph said the Legislature should “let the people decide” if Hill should remain in office.

Randolph also asked why the General Assembly would intervene in the case of a disciplined attorney general when three southern Indiana judges were permitted to return to the bench after serving 30- and 60-day suspensions.

In response, Bosma said there had been similar questions within the House Republican caucus.

There are two key differences between the discipline of the three judges – Clark Superior Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs and Crawford Circuit Judge Sabrina Bell – and the discipline of an attorney general. First, the judges showed “genuine remorse,” a factor considered in reinstatement decisions, and second is that the Supreme Court has total control over the qualification of judges. The Legislature, conversely, has control over the statutory qualifications of the state attorney general.

Dvorak said he sees loopholes in SB 178 given that the language doesn’t address what would happen if an incumbent AG holds a suspended license. He also expressed concerns about the fact that the Office of the Attorney General met with Messmer to discuss the language in SB 178, though Messmer said Hill gave no opinion or suggestions.

The General Assembly has a self-imposed Wednesday deadline to finish all 2020 legislative business, so final action on SB 178 is expected Wednesday evening.

[StateBoiler]

http://indypolitics.org/poll-positions-9/

A poll conducted last week of more than 1,000 likely Hoosier voters by Indy Politics and Change Research has a lot of good news for President Donald Trump and Governor Eric Holcomb and a little good news for their respective challengers, Joe Biden and Dr. Woody Myers.

The Indy Politics/Change Research poll showed Trump with a 13-point lead over Biden and Holcomb, with a 20 point lead over Myers.

In addition, more voters thought Indiana was headed in the right direction than the nation.

You can view a summary of the results below.   The survey of 1,021 likely voters was conducted from April 10-13 and the poll had a margin of error of 3.1 percent by traditional standards.

President

Donald Trump – 52
Joe Biden – 39
Third-party – 5
Not Sure – 3

Governor

Eric Holcomb (R) – 45
Woody Myers (D) – 25
Donald Rainwater (L) – 8
Undecided – 22

General Favorable/Unfavorable ratings

Donald Trump – 50/46
Mike Pence – 49/45
Joe Biden – 32/59
Eric Holcomb – 47/28
Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

Right Track/Wrong Track

The country – 49/51
Indiana – 54/46
Your city/Neighborhood – 67/33

Reaction to dealing with COVID-19 (Favorable/Unfavorable)

The federal government – 46/46
Donald Trump – 49/45
State government – 64/25
Eric Holcomb – 63/23  
City/county government – 61/20  
School Districts – 79/9

Top issues (That polled 5 percent or higher)

Health Care Access and Insurance – 12
Education – 12
Transportation/Infrastructure – 6
Jobs and the Economy – 5
Taxes – 5

Have to say I've been happy with whst Holcomb has done.

Krupp has withdrawn from the Republican Attorney General race due to it coming out he made a political campaign donation to Barack Obama. He's now backing Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter who just entered to take Krupp's place. It's up in the air how the Convention will be done at this point. Democrats have already gone virtual and I expect Republicans will do the same. The State Rules Committee have been meeting and prepared draft rules in tte past week that have been emailed to me. I also got a text from Curtis Hill's campaign that they were going to do ranked choice voting and this is the dream of George Soros to take away the power of your vote.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

lolololol

IN Dems are so screwed.

[libertpaulian]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

IN Dems are so screwed.

Story of our lives since 2014.

[StateBoiler]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

IN Dems are so screwed.

Story of our lives since 2014.

2010. Bayh's unexpected retirement from the Senate was probably the catalyst for the party falling down a flight of stairs.

Todd Rokita shared something interesting on Facebook that was published in Indiana Legislative Insight. Talked about the race, Harter seems more likely to be selected than Westercamp if Hill falters, but Rokita could be a last-minute entry...or he could wait to run for governor in 2024 against Weinzapfel then.

[libertpaulian]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

IN Dems are so screwed.

Story of our lives since 2014.

2010. Bayh's unexpected retirement from the Senate was probably the catalyst for the party falling down a flight of stairs.

Todd Rokita shared something interesting on Facebook that was published in Indiana Legislative Insight. Talked about the race, Harter seems more likely to be selected than Westercamp if Hill falters, but Rokita could be a last-minute entry...or he could wait to run for governor in 2024 against Weinzapfel then.

2010 sucked, but Donnelly did win in 2012.  If Gregg would have put a bit more substance into his campaign besides his whole "I'm a down-home country boy from Southern Indiana!" shtick he probably could have beaten Pence.

[StateBoiler]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

IN Dems are so screwed.

Story of our lives since 2014.

2010. Bayh's unexpected retirement from the Senate was probably the catalyst for the party falling down a flight of stairs.

Todd Rokita shared something interesting on Facebook that was published in Indiana Legislative Insight. Talked about the race, Harter seems more likely to be selected than Westercamp if Hill falters, but Rokita could be a last-minute entry...or he could wait to run for governor in 2024 against Weinzapfel then.

2010 sucked, but Donnelly did win in 2012.  If Gregg would have put a bit more substance into his campaign besides his whole "I'm a down-home country boy from Southern Indiana!" shtick he probably could have beaten Pence.

Donnelly won in 2012 because the Republicans nominated a dumbsh**t that defeated a very popular Senator.

The whole actions of 2016 can't be discounted either. We entered the year with a 3-way Senate Republican primary leading to maybe a Tea Party Representative going on to November and a Governor Pence that was going to face a tough re-election fight from a Democratic Party eager to face him, to the 3rd place in that Senate primary replacing the resigning Lieutenant Governor, and then himself becoming the nominee for Governor when Pence was selected for the vice-presidential nod. And national events made it a wave year for the state GOP.

Really when was the last good year for Indiana Democrats, 2008? I know Donnelly won in 2012 unexpectedly, but that was before I moved here and Daniels won re-election easily and the state legislature was still Republican.

[libertpaulian]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

IN Dems are so screwed.

Story of our lives since 2014.

2010. Bayh's unexpected retirement from the Senate was probably the catalyst for the party falling down a flight of stairs.

Todd Rokita shared something interesting on Facebook that was published in Indiana Legislative Insight. Talked about the race, Harter seems more likely to be selected than Westercamp if Hill falters, but Rokita could be a last-minute entry...or he could wait to run for governor in 2024 against Weinzapfel then.

2010 sucked, but Donnelly did win in 2012.  If Gregg would have put a bit more substance into his campaign besides his whole "I'm a down-home country boy from Southern Indiana!" shtick he probably could have beaten Pence.

Donnelly won in 2012 because the Republicans nominated a dumbsh**t that defeated a very popular Senator.

The whole actions of 2016 can't be discounted either. We entered the year with a 3-way Senate Republican primary leading to maybe a Tea Party Representative going on to November and a Governor Pence that was going to face a tough re-election fight from a Democratic Party eager to face him, to the 3rd place in that Senate primary replacing the resigning Lieutenant Governor, and then himself becoming the nominee for Governor when Pence was selected for the vice-presidential nod. And national events made it a wave year for the state GOP.

Really when was the last good year for Indiana Democrats, 2008? I know Donnelly won in 2012 unexpectedly, but that was before I moved here and Daniels won re-election easily and the state legislature was still Republican.

I think this year could have some silver linings for Indiana Dems if Hale wins, Hill gets nominated and then loses, and the Dems pick up a significant number of state house of representatives seats.  The latter one would be interesting, maybe exposing some of those Marion and Hamilton County districts as dummymanders.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Woody Myers – 9/6  (20 percent were neutral and 65 percent say they never heard of him)

IN Dems are so screwed.

Story of our lives since 2014.

2010. Bayh's unexpected retirement from the Senate was probably the catalyst for the party falling down a flight of stairs.

Todd Rokita shared something interesting on Facebook that was published in Indiana Legislative Insight. Talked about the race, Harter seems more likely to be selected than Westercamp if Hill falters, but Rokita could be a last-minute entry...or he could wait to run for governor in 2024 against Weinzapfel then.

2010 sucked, but Donnelly did win in 2012.  If Gregg would have put a bit more substance into his campaign besides his whole "I'm a down-home country boy from Southern Indiana!" shtick he probably could have beaten Pence.

Plus you had Ritz win her race, which was a sufficiently big deal for the GOP to decide there must never be another election for SoPI again.

Honestly, if 2016 hadn't been such a curveball, I still maintain Gregg could have won —and I imagine he'd be the favorite for reelection in this climate. That would have given the party eight years to build up their bench for 2024. Instead, it looks like Dems are headed to being a permanent minority party, at least until demographics shift enough/some young up-and-comer steps forward to rebuild the statewide organization.