Republicans gathered at Prescott Farms

WINCHESTER — Republican candidates and officials shared their views with area residents Saturday during what has become an annual event at Prescott Farms.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, lieutenant governor candidate Micah Beckwith, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, State Sen. Jeff Raatz and State Rep. J.D. Prescott, who hosted the event, discussed various issues and pushed for continued GOP leadership in Indiana and the return of former president Donald Trump to the White House.

(Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and District 3 candidate for U.S. Representative Marlin Stutzman were scheduled to visit as well but were unable to do so because of last-minute schedule changes.)

Among their agenda items, they advocated for state tax reform and fiscal responsibility, strengthening election laws, ending abortion, securing the southern border and deporting those living in the country illegally, opposing transgender issues and fighting the “woke agenda.”

Prescott, who is seeking his four term as a state representative against Democrat John Bartlett of Blackford County, called for Republicans to be aggressive in using their supermajority if governor candidate Mike Braun and Beckwith are elected. His top proposal is to eliminate property taxes and replace them with a 7% sales tax on services, with exemptions for the medical and education sectors. He called for changing to a “consumption-based system.”

The rural Union City resident also pushed for reducing healthcare costs, parental rights in relation to transgender issues and strengthening election laws.

Each of Prescott’s guests at the family farm 4 miles north of Winchester spent a few minutes sharing their thoughts on political issues with those in attendance.

Jim Banks

The current U.S. Representative, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Braun against Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andy Horning, spent the beginning of his comments complimenting the rest of the Republicans in attendance and others, calling governor candidate Mike Bruan “the most conservative governor we’re going to have in my lifetime” and Rokita the best attorney general. He touted Prescott’s fiscal conservatism and efforts to keep Chinese money out of the state.

Banks also spoke against biological males competing in girls sports, calling it a common-sense issue and praising Indiana’s ban.

“I’m very proud of my state, this great state,” he added.

Banks called this election the most important in our lifetime, pushing issues including securing the border and fixing inflation. He spoke in support of mass deportation of those in the country illegally and of a Trump commitment “to institute the death penalty for anyone who performs sex changes on minors.”

He called former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) “the most evil, wicked woman I’ve ever met in my life.” He said the difference between the parties is that Republicans believe America is great and Democrats don’t.

Micah Beckwith

Beckwith, a pastor, spoke to the crowd about his selection as Braun’s running mate over State Rep. Julie McGuire, who was endorsed by both Braun and Trump. He said he felt it was right for the decision about the lieutenant governor candidate to be put in the hands for the delegates at the Republican State Convention. (Braun is running against Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.)

Like Banks, he spoke against biological males competing in girls sports and said life begins at conception. He expressed his support for Prescott’s tax plan — “It's really not your property if you have to pay the government rent to stay there,” he said — and additionally pushed for property tax relief for those 65 and older.

Beckwith said Hoosiers are seeing a movement of individuals that will be strong and bold.

“I think Indiana is poised,” he said. “We are poised to bring vision to the nation. …

“We are going to work with the General Assembly and we are going to say Indiana knows what truth is and Indiana is not afraid to defend truth.”

He referred to states including California and New York as “liberal cesspools of woke-ism.”

Diego Morales

Morales, who others repeatedly referred to as the hardest-working man in Indiana politics, noted that he visited all 92 Indiana counties during his first three months in office. He urged others to make similar efforts.

He also touted House Bill 1264 from the last legislative session in Indiana that addressed various election issues including asking voters for proof of citizenship. He also praised efforts to keep foreign money out of state elections.

Morales left voter registration forms on each table and encouraged folks to visit indianavoters.com.

He is not up for election this year.