July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

GOP rallies the faithful (10/25/06)


By By MIKE SNYDER-

The annual pre-election gathering of Jay County Republican loyalists took on the tone of a pep session.

Although the GOP has dominated elections at the county and state level in recent years, virtually every candidate speaking at Tuesday's event cautioned against complacency and asked for a strong push prior to the general election Nov. 7.

Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, the featured speaker, outlined what she said were a long list of success stories under the administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels and Republican majorities in the Indiana House and Senate.

"The state and state government are much different than they were two years ago ... we've become much more forward-looking," Skillman said. "(The Democrats') only goal is to prevent Gov. Daniels from having any legislative successes."

Skillman, a former longtime member of the Indiana Senate, talked about her working relationships with several candidates and others in attendance Tuesday, including State Sen. Allen Paul (Richmond), State Rep. Bill Davis (Portland) and emcee John Coldren, a local attorney and GOP booster who has served for many years as counsel to the state senate.

Davis, who faces a challenge from Democrat Ron Liggett of Redkey - the man he defeated to win the seat in 2004, said, "I can't tell you how important it is to get out the vote." This election "will determine whether we're going to progress the way we're going ... or whether we're going to go back to the status quo. Hang in there with us for two more weeks."

Paul, who has served more than 20 years in the state senate, also faces a challenge from rural Redkey resident Clayton Phillips.

Other notable contested races on the local level discussed Tuesday include sheriff, where Republican Larry "Ray" Newton faces Democrat Mark Barnett and Independent Brian Louth; Jay County Council, where Republican incumbents Todd Wickey and George Meehan are running against challengers Fred Bailey and Andy Schemenaur Jr., respectively; and recorder, where Republican incumbent Betty St. Myers faces a challenge from Democrat Linda Heitkamp.

Newton, St. Myers and Wickey all took a brief turn at the microphone Tuesday; Meehan was unable to attend the banquet.

Jay County GOP Chairperson Carla Horn, prior to introducing Skillman, fired up the crowd at East Jay Middle School with her remarks.

"The Democrats keep asking: 'Had enough?' Had enough of ... more jobs? Not yet ... We are better off than we were two years ago ... we haven't had enough of Republican leadership," Horn said.[[In-content Ad]]
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