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Home , Adlai Stevenson II, Clintonism, Hillary Clinton, Hillary Victory Fund, Karen Pence, Ryan Hatfield

V22, N14 Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016

Holcomb rides Trump/Pence surge In our September survey, Gregg An improbable journey to had a 40-35% lead over Holcomb. In the win the governor’s office October survey Gregg was up just 41-39%. And in the November edition, it was tied By BRIAN A. HOWEY at 42%, with the Trump/Pence momentum – If you take the Octo- beginning to build. The presidential ticket ber WTHR/Howey Poll and the went from 43-38% in October to a 48-37% Nov. 1-3 final survey and lead over in early November. draw a trend line, what you It was a precursor to a tidal wave, end up with in the Indiana an inverse tsunami, that was agitated by gubernatorial race is a the Oct. 28 letter from FBI Director James 51-45 upset victory by Eric Comey, tearing off Clinton’s email fiasco Holcomb over Democrat John Gregg. Continued on page 4 Pence’s Trump cigar By BRIAN A. HOWEY NASHVILLE, Ind. – “Do you want to see something really cool?” Sure. I was with Liz Murphy, an aide to Vice President and we were in his ornate office at “ is going to be the Old Executive Office Building next to the . our president. I hope that he will We walked into an office similar in size and scope to the be a successful president for all Indiana governor’s office at the Americans. We owe him an open Statehouse. We ended up be- fore an antique colonial revival- mind and a chance to lead.” style double-pedestal desk - Democratic presidential Theodore Roosevelt brought to the White House in 1903. It was nominee Hillary Clinton in one of six desks to once occupy the . Murphy pulled her speech open the desk drawer, which Page 2 was empty, save for the signatures of Today, Gov. Pence is 70 days vice presidents. away from following Marshall’s foot- There were Nixon’s, Truman’s, steps into the Old Executive Office George H.W. Bush, and of course Building. He is measuring for curtains Dan Quayle. I looked for Thomas R. in the Naval Observatory with a dinner Marshall’s, but the signature tradition there with Vice President didn’t begin until the 1940s. scheduled. At some point near the end Marshall served as Indiana of his term in 2021 or, perhaps, 2025, governor a century before Pence will sign the Roosevelt desk. took over his old second floor State- It is an incredible political Howey Politics Indiana house office. Whereas Pence was an revival. There were so many errors WWHowey Media, LLC 405 ideologue, a caretaker governor, who and shoddy staff work during the Massachusetts Ave., Suite saw the office as a stepping stone to first three years of the Pence admin- 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204 the White House, Marshall was a pro- istration that Howey Politics Indiana gressive who attempted to rewrite the described it about a year ago as the www.howeypolitics.com Indiana Constitution that would have “exploding cigar governorship.” increased the state’s regulatory pow- Pence responded by giving Brian A. Howey, Publisher ers considerably, set minimum wages, me a box of Punch cigars (one of my Mark Schoeff Jr., and gave constitutional protections to favorites, by the way), in an era when Jack E. Howey, Editor unions, all things Mike Pence opposes he was still doing interviews with In- to this very day. diana media. The man had a sense of Mary Lou Howey, Editor Marshall became President humor he used to beguile those taking Maureen Hayden, Statehouse Woodrow ’s veep and found exception to policy and practice. Mark Curry, photography the job stultifying. They disagreed on Many believed Pence was on an array of issues. He attended early Subscriptions Wilson cabinet meet- HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 ings but his sugges- HPI Weekly, $350 tions were mostly Ray Volpe, Account Manager ignored, so Marshall 317.602.3620 stopped going. After Wilson’s stroke late email: [email protected] in his presidency, it Contact HPI was his wife Edith [email protected] and not Marshall who Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 ran the government. In 1913, President Washington: 202.256.5822 Wilson began person- Vice President signs the Teddy Roosevelt desk Business Office: 317.602.3620 ally meeting with U.S. drawer in January 2009. senators, usurping a © 2016, Howey Politics traditional role of vice Indiana. All rights reserved. presidents who acted as a conduit. the path to political extinction in 2016. Marshall would write in his memoir, “I The Religious Freedom Restoration Act Photocopying, Internet forward- have sometimes thought that great debacle essentially ended a conceived ing, faxing or reproducing in men are the bane of civilization, they presidential campaign that would have any form, whole or part, is a are the real cause of all the bitter- thrust him in the company of Trump. violation of federal law without ness and contention which amounts to He might have become “RFRA Mike” permission from the publisher. anything in the world.” in Trump insult parlance. He faced a The Marshall relationship tough rematch with Democrat John with Wilson was described as “func- Gregg, who was probing the Pence tioning animosity.” record, particularly on divisive social But the Hoosier gave us an issues, with sharpened knives. Polls enduring quote. During a Senate de- showed Pence vulnerable and polariz- bate on the needs of , Mar- ing. There was Donald Trump rising as shall quipped to Sen. Joseph Bristow, a demagogue, with many in the media “What this country needs is a really fixated on a death wish march into good five-cent cigar.” Electoral College oblivion. Page 3

When dozens of prominent Republicans turned today. their backs on Trump, Pence did what Quayle did in the Alberta observes: What’s notable isn’t that a summer of 1988. He conceived, then orchestrated a life- politician would profess confidence. It’s that Pence, who line strategy to get on the ticket. This reached a dramatic describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative, and a crescendo in early July when Pence hosted Trump at a Republican, in that order,” attributes his confidence not Columbia Club fundraiser, auditioned for him at a Westfield to the providence of God, or to the power or principle, or sports complex and dined with him that night. Mysteri- to the fitness of his party, but to the transcendent appeal ously, Trump’s gilded jet had “mechanical” issues at the of his running mate, who he says “has tapped into the Indianapolis Airport, so Trump spent the night at the Con- frustrations and aspirations of the American people like no rad, then had breakfast with the Pences as the Governor’s one in my lifetime.” This is not a façade. People close to Residence. Pence say that despite his initial distaste for Trump’s style, We now know via the reporting of the New he was awestruck by the candidate’s galvanizing effect on York Post and Times that the jet malfunction voters in Indiana (he won the primary with 53%). And the was a diabolical strategy in the cunning brain of then- more they talked, the more Pence subscribed to Trump’s campaign manager political analysis: Once an avowed free-trad- to keep Trump in the company of er, and supporter of the Trans-Pacific Part- the Hoosier governor. The Trump nership, he admits that Trump transformed children and son-in-law Jared his thinking by arguing that multi-national Kushner were pushing Pence for the trade agreements are impractical and ripe for ticket. Trump wanted exploitation. Gov. . We know now And, Alberta notes, Pence also began to that it was Kushner to sent the see a different side of Trump’s personality. charter flight to pick up the Pences on that Thursday. We Behind closed doors, he discovered the brash billionaire watched him disembark at Teterboro, and then came the to be hospitable, inquisitive, even “modest.” He visited news reports that an agitated Trump was fuming about Trump’s businesses and observed his breezy interactions the Trump/Pence ticket. He was angered by the leaks be with blue-collar employees. He watched Trump patrol the believed came from the Pence staff in Indiana. aisles of his personal jet, asking if the meals were suf- Mike and Karen Pence had to be twisting, twisting, ficient. He listened to Trump’s questions about Evangeli- twisting in the Trumpian winds for a night, until that Friday calism, which began at their first breakfast and have not when the ticket was finally forged and the two appeared ceased. As they grew closer personally, Pence became on a Manhattan stage the following day, though Trump certain that outsiders, and he himself, had gotten it wrong. didn’t stick around on stage to listen to Pence’s maiden This allowed his faith in Trump to blossom. veep comments. Pence could have defeated John Gregg, but it I compared our First Couple as Hansel and Gretel, was no sure thing. If he hadn’t made it on to the Trump walking into the witch’s lair. Trump is shifty and wolf like. ticket, if it were the Trump/Christie ticket instead, all three His biographers describe him as occasionally playing loyal- might have gone down to defeat. The conviction of two ists off on each other, then devouring them. It might have top Christie aides in the “Bridgegate” scandal would have careened into that zone when Trump dissed Pence dur- rendered the homestretch Obamacare premium increases ing the second debate for freelancing on a potential U.S. and the Comey letter intrigue over the Weiner emails to military strategy in Syria. the media back burner. What has evolved is a strange, strange synergy. Instead, it’s Vice President-Elect Pence. He will Pence and Trump apparently have established a work- some day find himself bending over a drawer in the Old ing relationship in a campaign culture that was effectively Executive Office Building with a Sharpie, affixing his name dysfunctional and dysfunctionally effective. He became the near Nixon’s and Quayle’s. apologizer, the loyalist, that sunny beam of optimism we in There is talk that Trump will operate as an uber Indiana know so well. executive setting broad policy strokes, and it will be Pence Tim Alberta writes in The that who will do the down-and-dirty work of getting them while Pence was one a true believer in social policy, he implemented in a Congress seething with Trump doubters is now a Trump true believer, willing to morph long-held and detractors. Pence, some believe, will become a very views into the Boss’s world view. “I believe it. I believe it. powerful vice president. Others believe that Trump will I really believe it,” he tells Alberta. “The American people ultimately consume him and that functional animosity is a know we can be stronger. They know we can be more real potential. prosperous. They know we can stand by our most - We shall see. ished constitutional principles. But they know we’ve got to Regardless, Pence is nearing the apex of his pow- have new leadership. So I really believe — I really believe er, into the upper reaches of his profound ambition, riding — that we’re on our way to a victory.” the Trump jet, perhaps into the Oval Office some day. Many chuckled by this assertion. They are not Have a cigar, governor. v Page 4

POS explained, “Americans who were previously Holcomb rides surge, from page 1 supporting third party candidates or refusing to answer scab. pollsters’ questions leaned GOP, and ended up voting that It decimated Indiana Democrats. way. And, fully 18% of voters said they had negative im- Early Wednesday morning, Lt. Gov. Holcomb pressions of both candidates – and they voted Trump by a spoke to Gov. Mike Pence on the phone and quickly found 49%-29% margin – suggesting strongly that late deciding President-elect Donald Trump on the line. “Certainly I ex- “noseholders” came to Trump. pressed to him last night that he drew people out to vote The collateral damage was vast for Indiana Demo- who had never voted before,” Holcomb said Wednesday crats, already saddled as a party of Lake and Marion coun- afternoon when he announced his transition team. “Some ties and a handful of college towns. Indiana Republicans were for the other jersey. It shouldn’t be lost that Mike have super majorities in the General Assembly, hold eight Pence was on that ticket as well. I do believe it contributed out of 11 congressional seats with Republican Trey Holling- mightily to the vote totals.” sworth defeating Shelli Yoder in the 9th, and with the de- Holcomb described Pence’s mood as “right out feat of Supt. Glenda Ritz, have lost their one toehold in the of a book. He is extremely optimis- Statehouse. The disaster came as the Trump/Pence ticket tic. He had his finger on rolled to a 20% plurality the pulse, and it arrived in the state, swamping last night.” just about every Demo- What happened crat in its path. in the final five days Holcomb began between the time Pub- 2016 as a U.S. Senate lic Opinion Strategies candidate, was selected pollster Gene Ulm left the by Gov. Mike Pence to field and on Tuesday? fill a vacant lieutenant “Republicans had the mo- governor office, and mentum,” Ulm said. “You was then elected in could draw a line be- late July to fill Pence’s tween those two surveys gubernatorial nomination and that’s exactly where after Pence left for the we ended up. Republicans national ticket. had all the momentum Holcomb celebrat- and it was still moving. ed his victory. “We just And it wasn’t just in Indi- captured the checkered ana, either.” flag. We are not compet- Across the nation, ing anymore, we have Republicans like Holcomb, won. The people who re- Trump and Senate-elect ally need to be thanked Todd Young feasted off of Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and runningmate Suzanne Crouch celebrate their vic- are people in this room white males and women tory at the JW Marriott Tuesday night. (HPI Photo by Thomas Curry) and rooms like this without degrees. Demo- across the state. I want crats were dependent to personally thank each on the minority vote, and while the Latinos turned out and every one of you who poured your hearts out.” for them, African-Americans and were unmoti- “You heard what I heard,” Holcomb told the vated. It showed up in places like Wayne County (Detroit), celebration. “Holcomb can’t raise enough money. Holcomb Charlotte, Milwaukee County and in Indiana, Indianapolis can’t put a credible statewide campaign together in this and Lake counties. The black turnout was flat. short amount of time. Holcomb can’t do this and Hol- A POS polling memo issued on Wednesday ob- comb can’t do that. Well, they were partly right. Holcomb served, “Even with modeling for a presidential turnout that couldn’t do it, but we did. followed the patterns of ’08 and ’12, yesterday’s votes and “We did it because we have the best volunteers the exit polling indicate that the enthusiasm gap between in the nation,” Holcomb said. “We did it with a remarkable Trump and Clinton had traction. Simply put, Clinton did not ground game.” perform like Obama and was unable to pull Democratic Holcomb thanked Gov. Pence and former Gov. coalitional groups to the polls. It appears that the Demo- . “It’s because of my current boss Mike Pence cratic campaigns modeled for turnout levels similar to ’08 that we proved this state works. It is because of their col- and ’12, but when those groups didn’t materialize, they lective and proven leadership. Mitch Daniels laid the foun- were essentially stuck, losing key battleground states due dation and Mike Pence added a couple of stories. We’re to low Democratic core group turnout.” going to add story after story.” Page 5

Holcomb talked of his 100-day campaign, and then said the next 100 days “begin tomorrow.” He said that it begins “the assembly of a team.” Holcomb said he talked with Gregg, saying he thanked him for a “spirited campaign and civil debates. We do agree on the importance for serving the public.” The Zionsville Republican, who won his first election, served in the governor’s office as Gov. Daniels’ deputy chief of staff and then ran his reelection campaign in 2008. Now he finds himself preparing for the big desk on the Statehouse second floor. Gregg, surrounded by crest- fallen family members and staff, told a subdued crowd at the Indiana Conven- tion Center, “This has been a whacky ride. This is the start where the healing begins. Tonight we’re all Hoosiers, as the dust settles and the wounds begin to heal, we’ll still be Hoosiers. Even though tonight is disappointing, tomor- Democratic gubernatorial nominee John Gregg hugs a supporter following his defeat Tues- row will be a new day.” day night. (HPI Photo by Mark Curry) Gregg’s defeat capped a disas- trous night for Hoosier Democrats, who saw the dynasty end, while Republicans cap- tured the attorney general, state superintendent and 9th Trump motivates CD races. It came as the Donald Trump/Mike Pence ticket roared to a 20% victory in the presidential race. new Hoosier voters On Wednesday, Holcomb announced his transition team to be headed by former DNR Director Kyle Hupfer By BRIAN A. HOWEY and former Daniels chief of staff Earl Goode. The team is INDIANAPOLIS – The Trump supporters, well, heavy on ex-Daniels administration officials and includes they kept coming out of the woodwork. former Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, former During Rex Early and the Trump Indiana cam- Ed Simcox, former Food Organization Direc- paign’s 50 Indiana county tour over the past six weeks, Jim Morris, Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, LaPorte people kept turning up that had never voted, had never Mayor Blair Milo, Anne Hathaway, Jeff been a part of the process. Knight, Brian Burdock, Brian Bauer, Alli- When the Trump campaign son Barber, Jamal Smith, Susana Suarez had an event in Edinburgh with and Ruky Yakym III. Gov. Mike Pence’s brother Greg Holcomb said he had spoken and wife Denise, campaign with House Speaker and vice chairman Tony Samuel Senate President Pro Tempore David met a man named Danny. “He Long this morning. “We are all very said that in 41 years, he was excited about getting to work on our registered to vote but never legislative agenda,” Holcomb said. “We’ll voted,” Samuel said. “He said be very involved on their agenda and he was waiting for someone ours. And he vowed to work with legisla- like Trump.” tive Democrats. “I will seek their input. In Marion, Samuel said, I meant it last night when I said no one’s opinion will be “I met a guy named Carl, who had never registered in 62 pushed aside.” years. And there were another 12 to 15 guys in the room Finally, Holcomb said, he intended to “mow my just like him.” lawn later today.” v On Tuesday, the Hoosiers who had for decades been outside the political process came out of the wood- Page 6 work like a hornet swarm. “These were all new people,” Samuel said. “We knew it would be that way all across the country.” In addition, there were the so-called Rea- gan Democrats. “The Republicans came home and there was Democratic crossover,” Samuel said. “I knew we were going to do well up in Lake, and with the coal miners in Southwest Indiana. When we made those 50 county visits, they said they had always voted Democrat, but you’d see them at every straight ticket. county. They’d say they were Democrats who were voting “Eric would be no place without them,” Early said for Trump and they said their whole family is voting for of Governor-elect Holcomb. Trump.” Samuel noted that when Holcomb appeared with The unknown and unparticipated forged one of them in Lebanon on the final Saturday of the campaign, the most astounding upsets in American history when “He said the Trump thing was really helping him.” Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. It swamped polls Holcomb evolved on Trump. When he received and traditional media and get-out-the-vote strategies. the nomination on July 24, Holcomb said he believed that Prof. Larry Sabato and his team at the Univer- Trump would provide a political benefit. After the Trump/ sity of said in a column on Wednesday, “We heard Billy Bush “Access Hollywood” tape, Holcomb wavered, for months from many of you, saying that we were under- saying he wasn’t sure he could vote for Trump. But by the estimating the size of a potential hidden Trump vote and debates with Democrat John Gregg, Holcomb was reaf- his ability to win. We didn’t believe it, and we were wrong. firming his support for the Trump/Pence ticket. The Crystal Ball is shattered.” He offered a mea culpa. Holcomb talked with Pence early Wednesday Early and Samuel were seeing the intensity morning, Samuel said, and said the governor put Trump throughout their tour. “The thing I wondered was will they on the phone with the incoming governor. He said that vote a straight ticket?” Early said. “Are they only there for Holcomb told Trump he had helped the entire Indiana Trump or will they vote a straight ticket, and many voted a ticket. v Page 7

improvise and you overcome. It’s not the time to fret.” Todd Young ends Overnight Young went from a big money ad- vantage over Hill to an almost 10-to-1 in the hole and Bayh’s campaign released internal polling showing he had the Bayh dynasty almost a 20% lead. And then, with the Citizens United By BRIAN A. HOWEY Supreme Court decision looming large, tens of millions of INDIANAPOLIS – Everyone from the candidate dollars began to flow in for Young via the U.S. Chamber to the gathered media at LePeep Wednesday morning of Commerce, the National Rifle Association and Mitch was bleary-eyed, and here was Senator-elect Todd Young McConnell’s Senate Leadership Fund. It quickly leveled the talking about the race that just ended the Bayh dynasty playing field. and positioned himself to be Indiana’s ninth senator in the Bayh’s double-digit lead was reduced to a 44- television age. It was a mud-splattered contest, and Young 40% advantage in the September WTHR/Howey Politics was ready to move on. Indiana Poll, then to a 42-41% edge in our October survey “The atmosphere is polarized,” Young said when before the lid blew off. In our Nov. 1-3 poll, Young jetted asked about building the wall on the Mexican border and out to 46-41%, evidence of an epic brand destruction for deporting millions of illegal immigrants. “I refuse to affix the Bayh clan established more than half a century ago. any names, but in too many instances, Americans have Bayh’s favorable/unfavorables had declined to 39/45% been pitted against Americans. That kind of politics needs to end.” Young, like many Hoosier politi- cians, took a roller- coaster ride through a tornado in 2016. Young won a 52-42% victory over Bayh in a race that pulled em- phatically in his favor over the final month. Last July he had just left a coffee shop south of Indianapolis when campaign aide Cam Savage called Senator-elect Todd Young reacts to his victory over Evan Bayh on Tuesday night while Bayh bades farewell. him. “He said, ‘How’s Young has now defeated three former members of Congress, Mike Sodrel and in 2010 and now your day going? Just Bayh. (HPI Photos by Thomas and Mark Curry) to let you know, you have a new opponent. Evan Bayh just entered the race.’” from 48/28% in our September survey. In essence, Young Young’s response was, “Carry on. Let’s go.” and his super PAC allies had destroyed Bayh’s squeaky He immediately went from being a heavy clean image by painting him as enriching himself during favorite to profound underdog. There was speculation that and after his Senate term, which he abruptly ended in Trump might be a drag. Young and his campaign didn’t 2010. war game a scenario against Bayh, focusing instead on Young and his Super PAC allies savaged Bayh a rematch with Baron Hill, who entered the race as most over his residency issue (he owns two homes in Washing- candidates did, filing for the primary, which he won. His ton and a condo in , along with a $59,000 condo fundraising languished and soon after his mid-year FEC in Indianapolis he never stayed at), his accumulation of report was filed, he was out and the $10 Million Man was wealth during and after his Senate career abruptly ended back. in 2011, and stories of job searches conducted on the tax- “I did not have a contingency plan for a change of payer dime, and subsequent votes for his future employer, candidates after the primary,” Young explained. “With that and his 2010 vote that helped pass Obamacare without a said, something you learn about when you study military single Republican vote. philosophy is the fog of war. When something occurs dur- Was Obamacare the silver Bayh bullet? “I can tell ing the battle, you can have a plan, and there will always you anecdotally there was a enough of a pattern,” Young be external factors. You then adjust, or as we say, adapt, said. “I visited rank-and-file Hoosiers, I’ve heard countless Page 8 stories of the adverse implications, “That’s where my head whether it was reduction of hours of is, my day job done in most employees, inability of companies to professional way possible,” grow due to increased health care he said of the coming two costs, rising premiums, co-pays, months of the current Con- deductibles, the lack of access due gress. He cited his work on to lack of consolidation in health care the Cures Act as industry.” well as the budget. “I’m pre- “I’ve heard about the parade pared to work with anyone. of horribles about this partisan law It’s amazing what you can get and it’s time we work together to try done in a lame duck session and come up with a better model,” and it’s amazing what you Young said. can’t get done.” Not only did the new Obam- Evan Bayh comforts Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, As for working with acare premiums enter the final his long time friend, Tuesday night. (HPI Photo by Mark President Trump, Young said, stretch of the campaign, there was “Most Americans saw him as the Oct. 28 letter from FBI Director that an underdog and he seemed to relish that. It’s putting reopened the Hillary Clinton email fiasco. “I have no idea,” people back in charge of their government.” Young said when HPI asked if the Comey letter altered the And Young will become one of three Hoosiers in trajectory of the race. the U.S. Senate, with a Vice President Pence in an occa- But Young’s campaign manager, Trevor sional presiding role. “I don’t know what kind of role Mike Foughty, told HPI, “Our internal polling saw a big shift in Pence will play in the Trump administration,” Young said. the last 10 days. We were tracking weekly.” He noted that “My expectation is it will be exceptional and far-reaching the final WTHR/Howey Politics poll came “in that window due to his talents. He was perhaps the most skilled com- when everything started to shift. Comey, that was a big municator when we served in Congress. Communication part of it. We saw a similar shift pulling away from Repub- skills are important when it comes to laying out an agenda lican ID and generic ballot after the Billy Bush tape. Then and persuading the American people. He’s a man of deep we saw it swing back right after the Comey letter.” convictions. He’s prone to build relationships even with By the eve of the election, some $45 million had people who have differences. As Trump works to get been poured into the race by both sides and their support- things done, I could see Vice President Pence being very ers, rivaling the $50 million U.S. Senate race that saw the helpful.” v upset of U.S. Sen. Rich- ard Lugar, in large part due to a residency issue, and eventually won by Democrat Joe Donnelly. Asked if Young will return to Indiana af- ter he finishes his Senate career, the Bloomington Republican responded, “I’ll still live here. My family loves Indiana. I do dream of living on an island.” Told there are islands on Lake Webster and Lake James, Young said, “I don’t know. I love Indiana. This will always be home. I always want to keep my main resi- dence here.” Next up for Young is the lame duck session and then working with a President Trump and Vice President Pence. Page 9

with dozen of pieces undone legislation, will act on two Young eyes his bills important to him, including the and a proposal to speed development of new drugs to cure deadly diseases. policy agenda Hours earlier, Young ended Tuesday night by cel- By MAUREEN HAYDEN ebrating his role in the Republican Party’s dramatic effort CNHI Statehouse Bureau to keep control of the Senate. Once in his new office on INDIANAPOLIS – Republicans in Congress and Capitol Hill, Young pledged to do a constitutional duty to President-elect Donald Trump have promised swift work to be a check on the White House. undo laws and orders written during the Obama adminis- But when he went to bed Tuesday, Young said he tration, starting with the Afford- wasn’t absolutely certain whom the next occupant would able Care Act. Before that hap- be. pens, one of the newest members The presidential race had not yet been called of the U.S. Senate has some less for Trump. Young’s wife, Jenny, who stayed up late, told flashy business in mind. him the results. U.S. Rep. Todd Young, For Young, whose election Tuesday with 52% elected Tuesday to fill the Senate of the vote ended the 30-year winning streak of former seat vacated by the retiring Dan U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, the final weeks of 2016 are taking Coats, said he’s focused on what precedence over what will happen in the Trump adminis- happens in Washington between tration. The 114th Congress still has business to do before now and January. The congress- it adjourns Dec. 16. “It’s one of those rare moments that man from Bloomington specifically presents an opportunity to actually get some things done,” hopes to get a favored bill on he said. welfare reform onto the agenda of the lame-duck session Still, Young was cautious about promising too of Congress that starts next much. week. When Congress Young said the bill, returns to Washington which he authored, creates next week, it will be with “social impact” partner- a keen sense of what he ships to reward states for calls the “polarization” of programs that move people the nation. from welfare into jobs. Trump, having Passed unanimously in the won the Electoral College House, it has support from vote needed to become Democrats in the Senate but president, appears to has failed to move forward. have narrowly lost the “Frankly, that’s popular vote to his Demo- where my head is right cratic opponent, Hillary now,” he told reporters over Clinton, although votes morning coffee Wednesday, were still being counted just hours after a stunning Wendesday. election night spent here in “It’s also amaz- Indianapolis. ing what doesn’t get done Congress in the in a lame-duck session,” coming weeks also faces Young said. “It’s a really a crucial vote to keep the unpredictable dynamic government running for time.” v another two years with a $1 trillion funding bill. It’s Maureen Hayden a piece of difficult busi- covers the Indiana ness put off in September Statehouse for CNHI’s by lawmakers who reached newspapers and web- a stop-gap agreement to sites. Reach her at keep the government open [email protected]. through Dec. 9. Senator-elect Todd Young talks with the press Wednesday morning at Follow her on Young said he’s LePeep downtown to discuss the election and his coming policy agenda. @MaureenHayden hoping that Congress faced (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) Page 10

you may at this point be calling me a flip-flopper. Yes, I Pence could become asserted that Pence was indifferent toward governing and that’s why he ran for vice president rather than keep his job as Indiana’s chief executive and running a state. Trump’s role model I also made reference to Pence being the most By MARK SCHOEFF JR. able sailor on the bridge of the Titanic. Like most of the WASHINGTON – Vice President-elect Mike Pence rest of the denizens of the world of political punditry, I was was an afterthought to President-elect Donald Trump dur- wrong about the election. Mea culpa. Pence knew better ing his acceptance speech early Wednesday morning. than I what was moving the electorate. After showering supporters, campaign staff and Now the governor who stumbled at times family members with lengthy encomiums, Trump turned to working with an overwhelmingly Republican legislature will walk away from the podium. have a chance to deal with narrow GOP majorities in the Then he returned abruptly, House and Senate. Pence’s affable demeanor will help him looked to Pence and said, in that effort. The greater Pence’s presence in a Trump “Thank you, Mike Pence.” administration, the better he will serve not just Trump but The slight was probably the country. unintentional, even though Trump may have been an effective presidential Pence’s presence on the stage candidate by tapping a rich vein of anger and frustration could not be overlooked. Pence among people who feel ignored by the government. But as was the person who introduced of today, he still lacks the skill set and temperament to be Trump. president. That awkward moment We have to hope that Mr. Trump grows into the surely does not foreshadow role. He can make strides by delegating to and observing the importance of Pence in his vice presidential partner. a Trump administration. Pence provided ballast during a Trump’s acceptance speech touched the right stormy campaign when Trump went off course, and will chords. It featured moments of generosity and grace, ele- wind up doing the same when Trump has to work with ments that are too often lacking in a Trump address but Congress. that Pence can demonstrate effortlessly. There may not be much of a honeymoon, despite Many people passionately disagree with Pence’s the fact that Republicans con- social conservative trol both houses of Congress. positions. But it’s rare Trump laid into many Republican to find someone who lawmakers with alacrity during doesn’t like him as a the campaign, including House person. Speaker , R-Wisc. Trump is the Ryan and Trump had an exact opposite. Many icy relationship throughout the people have embraced campaign, but we have yet to his political rhetoric but hear a bad word about Pence criticize his personality. from any Republican lawmaker. That could hurt Trump Trump will need to in Washington, a town depend on the good will toward that runs on bonhomie, Pence in Washington when he even when it’s fake. inevitably hits rough patches Pence can be trying to sell a policy agenda to Trump’s Washing- Congress. Pence, who served in ton Sherpa and chief Congress for 12 years and is a diplomat to Capitol Hill, former chair of the House Repub- humanizing him for lican conference, is the one with lawmakers. If Pence the relationships that will help succeeds at this task Trump actually govern. - perhaps his most im- “You can see Pence hav- portant – he’ll get more ing a significant role in interacting with given he than a passing reference from Trump when they share a was a long-term and respected member of the House,” podium in the future. v said Marc Gerson, a former Republican tax counsel on the House Ways and Means Committee. Schoeff is HPI’s Washington correspondent. If you read a column I wrote earlier in the week, Page 11

Two weeks prior to the election, stories shifted to Defeating the greatest who would be in Clinton’s new cabinet. She was definitely going to keep as attorney general. She wanted Joe Biden to hang around as secretary of state. media conspiracy Visions of sugar plums danced in the heads of big media By CRAIG DUNN and big banking as speculation built over the all-star cast KOKOMO – It’s Wednesday, the day following the of illuminati destined for the cabinet room. greatest upset in presidential election history, and poll- Make no mistake about it, the Hillary Clin- sters, pundits and media elites all finally agree, the path to ton path to victory included a conspiracy of elitists who the White House for Donald Trump is wider. That path is stacked the deck higher than it had ever been stacked be- called Avenue! fore. Just ask how it feels to find yourself I must admit that it was on the wrong side of the conspiracy. with great joy that I stayed To be generous, in looking back and examining awake until 3:30 a.m. watch- polling and news coverage, we either witnessed criminal ing the election results and negligence on behalf of the polling and media establish- the tortuous process of seeing ment or the worst bungled cabal in political history. Per- the entire mainstream elitist haps it was a hearty helping of both. media, shell-shocked pollsters What did everyone except for those of us who and humbled pundits take over were down in the trenches with the troops expect? From three hours to come to the their remote towers of power on , Fifth Avenue, realization of what was obvious K-Street and Silicon Valley, it was impossible for the elit- when the domino fell ist string pullers to get a handle on the guy I like to call into the face of Hillary Clinton’s “Joe Sixpack.” Ultimately, it was Joe and Jolene Sixpack, presidential ambition. Despite clinging to their Bibles and guns, who won the day for the healthy leads for Trump in Pennsylvania and , Trump machine. media experts still went to elaborate electronic walls and Way back in February I stood shivering at a gas pontificated on Clinton’s ability to “draw to the inside station while filling up my vehicle. When I need gas, I straight.” stop and get it regardless of price. I fill it up, regardless For the past four months we witnessed the great- of the total amount. As I stood pumping gas, the man at est corporate/media/governmental election conspiracy in the pump next to mine started speaking with me. In an the history of our country. amazing five minutes, he told me Each day was filled with that he had to commute to Ko- carefully orchestrated komo from Marion every day and releases of adverse polls, that buying gas was eating him negative stories about up. He had to work in Kokomo to Trump and a treatment of earn over $10 an hour. He said Hillary Clinton that virtu- that he would like to fill his tank ally had CNN’s but that he could only afford to measuring for new pink put $9 worth of gas in his car. Now drapes in the Oval Office. he didn’t know me or know of my The message political work, but he asked a very was clear: Republicans revealing question. He asked, “If it were running from Trump. would lower gas prices and make Trump was a hopeless us independent of the Middle East, cad, with a long history of mistreating women. Hispan- why would anyone not want us to ics disliked Trump. Blacks disliked Trump. Women disliked drill our own oil?” Trump. Jews disliked Trump. Gays disliked Trump. Europe It struck me at the time that there was a huge disliked Trump. Asia disliked Trump. South dis- number of working people in our country who were mak- liked Trump. , , , Barbara ing a weekly struggle for survival. Their important issues Streisand, Whoopi, Alex Baldwin, Bon Jovi, Springsteen, were not global warming, international trade agreements Stewart and the entire Hollywood entertainment universe or ownership of the internet. The most important issues disliked (hated) Donald Trump. to Joe and Jolene Sixpack were putting food on the table, Daily polls were trotted out to verify the contempt clothing their children and buying a tank of gas. Kanye, of the American people for Donald Trump. He was down Beyonce and Hillary just didn’t get it because they and the nationwide. He couldn’t win Florida, North Carolina or liberal elitist community are just too far removed from the Pennsylvania and, did we tell you, that even was “in world of reality. play.” Donald Trump, for all of his billions, understood Page 12 what made the average American tick. It may not have presidential election with 277 Electoral College votes. My been pretty. It might not sound good when reduced to friends thought I was nuts. The secret knowledge that I words. But Donald Trump knew that a vast number of had and they didn’t was that I had spoken with the man at Americans were either not living the or the gas station. It was all I needed to know. v were terrified that their children would be denied the abil- ity to reach for the stars. Trump was able, from day one, Dunn is chairman of the Howard County Republican to tap a vast reservoir of discontent that was either over- Party. looked or intentionally ignored by Hillary Clinton. It was discontent that was raw, powerful and sometimes ugly. Cardwell lauds ‘historic night’ I hopped on the Trump train rather late in the INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Republican Party Chair- election cycle. Up to the Indiana primary, I was a sup- man Jeff Cardwell made the following statement after porter of Ohio Gov. . I gradually grew to be Tuesday’s historic election night for Republicans: “Last ashamed of Kasich and all of the never-Trump people. I night was a historic night for Hoosiers. Months ago, our was raised by my parents to put the team first. Donald candidates began their campaigns - they have traveled Trump, love him or not, was the leader of the Republican thousands of miles and visited with thousands of Hoosier, team after his nomination. It was after accepting Trump spreading the Republican message of building economic as my candidate for president that I opened up and got development, creating a safer nation and improving our to know hundreds of great fellow Trump voters. They are state’s eduction. We are grateful to all of the volunteers, good people. They are nice people. They are great Ameri- staff members, and candidates themselves for all of their cans. They possessed a dynamic enthusiasm that defied hard work and dedication. We are one nation under God, description. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As we step out in I wrote in my last Howey Politics column that I this new journey for America’s future, now is the time, to believed that Donald Trump would have very long coat- work together to heal our land. We are grateful for the op- tails in Indiana. He did! He helped sweep huge numbers of portunity to serve, and we look forward to working with all Indiana Republicans into office or enabled their reelection. Hoosiers from all walks of life to take Indiana and America On the day before the election, I stuck my neck to the next level. There is so much more that binds us out on Facebook and declared that Trump would win the than that which divides us.” v Page 13

Gov. Mike Pence urged Indiana Republican Convention delegates to put Indiana “first on the board” last June. (HPI Photo by Mark Curry)

Pence and Karen would board a charter flight Pence makes good on from Indianapolis to Teterboro, essentially boxing Trump in to the veep nomination. And Pence delivered Indiana as first on the ‘first on the board’ vow board. The irony is that with two “Bridgegate” convictions By BRIAN A. HOWEY of top Christie aides, and testimony in court that the New INDIANAPOLIS – Last June, when the notion of Jersey governor knew about the scandalous bridge shut- Gov. Mike Pence repurposing his political career on the down to punish a local mayor, the Trump ticket might have national ticket was in a nascent stage, he gave a rous- tanked at the end. ing speech before the Indiana Republican Convention and It was Pence, however, who became the so-called made a prophetic appeal. “adult in the room,” cleaning up Trump’s messes with Gold He urged delegates to make Indiana “the first Star families, and fat-shamed beauty queens. It was Pence state on the board to make Donald who built a bridge to his former congressional colleagues Trump the president of the United deeply suspicious of the Manhattan billionaire, and it was States.” At 7:01 p.m. Tuesday, NBC Pence who made the clarion call for Republicans to “come made the “first projection” and placed home” after some 25% of sitting governors and members Indiana (just ahead of Kentucky) into of Congress had announced they either wouldn’t support the Trump column. Pence tweeted, or vote for Trump. Pence delivered the key clarifications, “Thank you Indiana for making our state first on the board an occasional apology, and the rationale for Trump in the to vote to !” Indiana once came final month, then watched FBI Director James Comey de- in at 6:01, but that changed after the 2000 Florida fiasco liver two bombshells that allowed the Republican ticket to when networks waited until all polls closed. come close to Hillary Clinton. Less than a month after Pence made the GOP In the October WTHR/Howey Politics Indiana convention appeal, he auditioned for the vice presidential Poll, Trump had a mere 43-38% lead in Indiana, but that nomination at Westfield, raised money for him at the Co- expanded to 48-37% last week, and now Pence can truly lumbia Club, dined with Trump that night at the Governor’s claim that Indiana was, as he voted to put it in June, the Residence, then again for breakfast when then campaign first state on the board.v manager Paul Manafort created a ruse on behalf of the Trump family to place Pence on the ticket. Pence returns to Indiana today We know now that Trump had preferred New Jer- Gov. Mike Pence will return to Indianapolis Thurs- sey Gov. Chris Christie, but was stonewalled by son-in-law day with a big welcome home rally at 5:30 p.m. at India- , whose father had been successfully pros- napolis International Airport, near the Million Air Terminal, ecuted by the former district attorney. The following day, 6921 Pierson Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46241. v Page 14

misgivings in private about whether he is even equipped Why should GOP to serve as president. When I resigned this spring as a del- egate to the Republican National Convention over disgust with Trump’s inevitable nomination, I was inundated with listen to Never Trump? messages of support and agreement from top members of By JOSHUA CLAYBOURN Mike Pence’s staff. Within months their boss was Trump’s EVANSVILLE – The 2016 election was a resound- running mate and these very same people were decked ing success for Indiana Republicans. Outgoing governor out in “Make American Great Again” hats and professing Mike Pence is the new vice president, Eric Holcomb will be their love of all things Trump. the next governor, and Republicans won all other state- These Republican leaders failed a fundamental wide races, including state education superintendent. Like test of courage and political leadership by not speaking the federal government, the Indiana Statehouse is firmly the truth about what they saw as obvious. And when all controlled by Republicans. else seemed to fail, they resorted to the catchphrases of For the party brass and thousands of Republican -era talk radio. political and policy advisors, A small but important and demographically the incentive will be to cel- growing divide exists among Republican factions. The ebrate the victories, congratu- future health and vitality of the Indiana GOP depends on late themselves on strategy, mending these divisions. Democrats will not always stay and rest on the laurels of a home as they did with Clinton. fresh victory. Undoubtedly, the Fortunately, there are a number of things which Trump/Pence wave carried the can help heal the GOP in Indiana. Hoosier Republicans day and is driving the Republi- would do well to remember the legacy of Mitch Daniels can Party. and embrace his optimism and focus on ideas, not ideolo- So why should they ever gy. Hoosier Republicans should also begin planning for the again listen to Never Trump future and outlining ideas for the millennial era. Millenni- Republicans they might view as als, for example, do not want propaganda and losers? warfare. They want a vibrant and innovative government That line of thinking would be a strategic blunder. willing to embrace new challenges. Trump’s victory appears to be based more on a rejection of The Indiana Republican Party is embarking on a and liberalism than an embrace of Trump’s ide- new chapter of political dominance, but there is danger in ology. got 60.9 million votes and lost, while failing to keep the future in mind. It needs to send a clear early returns show Donald Trump has 59.1 million votes message that it is forward-looking and working on behalf and is winning. Trump also received less than McCain’s of all citizens. Hoosiers are counting on them to do the popular vote total in 2008 and came up short of Obama’s right thing. v winning 2012 vote totals in all of the battleground critical swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Claybourn is an Evansville attorney. and Ohio. Indiana Republicans didn’t ride a wave of Trump support. Instead, they rode a wave of anti-Clintonism thanks to Democrats staying at home. Moreover, beneath the rosy success for the GOP is an ominous future both in Indiana and nationwide as the party comes to grips with the new Trump brand. Voters under 40 overwhelmingly rejected the party’s vision for the future under Trump, it continued its long struggle with growing minority groups, and educated suburbanites, particularly women, broke ranks with the party. Ignoring those factions opposed to the Trump brand and the growing demographic changes risks forfeiting an important compo- nent of the Republican Party, both now and in the future. Even those who openly profess to back Trump, or ultimately settled on him as the less- er of two evils, have long harbored substantial Page 15

did in the 2016 election. In her concession speech, Yoder Hollingsworth easily tried to make sense of it all in front of a room of support- ers in Bloomington. “We set forth on something that so many said was completely impossible. It was because of defeats Yoder in 9thCD all your belief in this race that we were able to make it a By THOMAS CURRY race.” Promising to “keep up ” Yoder said INDIANAPOLIS – The full force of the Donald “we can together make the 13 counties in the 9th district a Trump wave reverberated all throughout Indiana, reach- better place to live.” ing inland towards the 2nd CD and 9th CD congressional Up in the 2nd CD, Rep. Walorski waltzed to a races. The Democratic National Campaign Committee and resounding reelection victory vs Lynn Coleman in a 59.3% political pundits had pegged these to 36.9% wallop. The 2nd CD is a closely drawn district, races as potential upsets for the with demographics making it Indiana’s battleground seat. Democrats but each candidate Walorski’s victory on Tuesday night matched her 2014 win, managed to only win one county showing the district may not be winnable for Democrats in their district. The losses prove moving forward. that Indiana Democrats have a In her victory address to a room full of supporters long way to go in making inroads Walorski said she is “one happy warrior” after a long elec- towards flipping seats from Red to Blue. For Republicans tion cycle. “We are leaving this stage tonight with all sorts Rep. Jackie Walorski and political newcomer Trey Holling- of momentum to bring Hoosier common sense solutions to sworth, it was an easy coast to victory despite the close Washington.” The now three term Congresswoman vowed polling and feel of the campaigns heading into election to “fix this messed up health care and messed up tax day. code” in her renewed term. In the 9th CD, Hollingsworth culminated his first journey into politics General Assembly with a 54.1% to 40.5% victory over Democrat Chairman Soliday reelected Shelli Yoder. Holling- State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, will be around sworth was a late entry to shape Indiana’s long-term infrastructure spending into the Republican plan, as chairman of the House Roads and Transpor- primary and survived a tation Committee, after prevailing in a close-fought crowded field despite race against Democratic former Porter County Clerk being given low odds Pam Fish (NWI Times). and being labeled “Ten- nessee Trey.” Reardon upsets Rep. Fine The last week Voters in Munster, Highland, Hammond and Griffith of the campaign was decided to send former state Rep. Mara Candelaria volatile, however, mak- Reardon, D-Munster, back to the Statehouse in place ing the result even of state Rep. Bill Fine, R-Munster, who ended her more surprising. Hol- initial eight-year tenure in 2014 (NWI Times). lingsworth appeared Republican Trey Hollingsworth used the Trump/ with key members of Pence surge to win the 9th CD over Democrat the Republican leader- Shelli Yoder. (HPI Photo by Thomas Curry) Siegrist wins open HD26 ship, including Mike Sally Siegrist will be the next state representative Pence and Speaker Paul Ryan in the last days of the cam- in HD26 (Bangert, Lafayette Journal & Courier). How she paign. Yoder and observers thought it signaled potential got there might be just as telling as the fact that she won panic on the Republican’s side but that wasn’t the case. Tuesday. One thing Siegrist and Vicky Woeste could always Meanwhile, an AP report found that Hollingsworth holds agree on in their race to replace Republican state Rep. legal residency in five states for his business in addition to in the Indiana House was where they were Indiana. The article once again brought up questions of for the defining moment of their campaigns. It was May Hollingsworth residency just days from the election. How- 3, in the Tippecanoe County Office Building in downtown ever, it didn’t end up having an effect on the results, with Lafayette. Hollingsworth receiving more votes than Todd Young did in any of his elections in the district. Hatfield wins open HD77 The results surely came as a shock to Yoder who Ryan Hatfield sailed to victory in Indiana’s HD77 has now lost the race for the 9th CD twice. In 2012, Yoder Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Johnny was defeated by Young 55.4% to 44.6% and received Kincaid (Osowski, Evansville Courier & Press). Hatfield, more total votes and percentage points that year than she who will keep HD77 seat in Democratic hands, won with Page 16

59% of the vote to Kincaid’s 40%. Hatfield, currently a gubernatorial ticket. deputy prosecutor in Vanderburgh County, won after a very cordial race between both candidates. Hatfield said Doriot wins open SD12 from the beginning his campaign was focused on the Republican Blake Doriot bested Democrat Carl people of HD77, not running negative campaigns or focus- Rust on Tuesday, securing SD12 (Quiggle, Elkhart Truth). ing on divisive issues. Doriot received 26,656 votes to Rust’s 11,646. He will replace current Senator Carlin Yoder, who announced that Bohacek wins open SD8 he was retiring at the end of the year. Republican LaPorte County Commissioner Mike Bo- hacek, of Michiana Shores, will succeed retiring state Sen. Ruckleshaus, Freeman, Sandlin win Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte (NWI Times). Bohacek outpolled The most competitive was thought to be District Democrat Maxine Spenner, of LaPorte, in part by persuad- 30, which includes parts of the Broad Ripple area and Fish- ing voters that a Democratic senator cannot effectively ers. Scott Schneider won a close race two years ago and is represent the district in a Republican-dominated chamber. retiring. But former Republican Rep. John Ruckelshaus was leading former Democratic City-Council Councilwoman Pam Rep. Slager fends off O’Donnell Hickman (Sikich, IndyStar). Pat Miller also is retiring in Dis- State Rep. , R-Schererville, a member trict 32, which includes an area that tends to lean Repub- of the budget-writing House Ways and Means Committee, lican in southeast Marion County. Republican City-County will be going back to Indianapolis for a third term (NWI Councilman Aaron Freeman was leading Beech Grove Times). He defeated Dyer Democrat Tom O’Donnell in a Middle School teacher Sara Wiley. Republican City-County rematch of their close 2012 race. Councilman Jack Sandlin was leading health care industry compliance professional Sean Gorman, who defeated the Rep. Olthoff holds off Vandenburgh Democrats’ slated candidate in May. State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, appears to have narrowly prevailed over former state Rep. Shelli New House members VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, after the House Republican The House Republican also welcomed Campaign Committee pumped in nearly $600,000 in the seven newly elected state representatives, including: final month of the race to push Olthoff toward a second- (R-Georgetown), HD 70; term win representing Crown Point, Merrillville, Winfield (R-Fort Wayne), HD 85; Jack Jordan (R-Bremen), HD 17; and Lakes of the Four Seasons (NWI Times). Chris May (R-Bedford), HD 65; (R-LaPorte), HD 20; Sally Siegrist (R-West Lafayette), HD 26; and John Pressel wins open HD20 Young (R-Franklin), HD 47. State Rep. , Jr. (D- Republican Jim Pressel, of Rolling Prairie, defeated East ) was elected to the Indiana House District 2 Democrat Karen Biernacki, of LaPorte, and Libertarian seat that his father, Earl Sr., held from 1982 to 2015, and Aurea Torres, of LaPorte, in this rare open seat contest to his mother, Donna, held in 2015 and 2016; State Rep. Joe succeed state Rep. , R-LaPorte. Taylor III (D-South Bend) was elected to the 7th District House seat that was held by State Rep. David Niezgodski Rep. Morrison defeats Skinner (D-South Bend) from 2006 to 2016; State Rep. Mara Can- Incumbents appeared to win both contested races delaria Reardon (D-Munster) returns to the 12th Indiana for state representatives involving Vigo County in the House district seat she held from 2006 to 2014; State Rep. general election, although Tuesday’s results won’t be of- Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) will serve as 77th District rep- ficial for a while. The closest race showed 39-year-old Alan resentative, a seat that has been held by State Rep. Gail Morrison, a Republican, leading Democrat Tim Skinner by Riecken (D-Evansville) from 2008 to 2016. Rep. Hatfield is more than 3,000 votes to likely earn the right to represent an attorney and a Vanderburgh County deputy prosecutor; the 42nd District. State Rep. (D-Indianapolis) will serve as 87th District representative, replacing State Rep. Christina Hale (D-Indianapolis), who served from 2012 to 2016. May wins open HD65, Koch to Senate Republican Chris May defeated Democrat Chris Woods for the District 65 seat, which was open after Eric 7 new senators Koch decided to successfully run for state Senate (Bloom- There are seven new Republican senators: SD 8: ington Herald-Times). Mike Bohacek, Michiana Shores; SD 12: Blake Doriot, Syra- cuse; SD 24: John Crane, Avon; SD 30: John Ruckelshaus, Hamilton wins HD87 after Hale vacates Indianapolis; SD 32: Aaron Freeman, Indianapolis; SD 36: Democrat Carey Hamilton defeated Republican Jack Sandlin, Indianapolis; SD 44: Eric Koch, Bedford. v Connie Eckert in HD87, 17,008 to 15,674 in the seat State Rep. Christina Hale gave up to run on the Democratic Page 17

Also falling to the Trump onslaught was Lorenzo Region Indiana takes a Arredondo, the former Lake Circuit Court judge who was seeking the attorney general’s post. But, the region’s future relationship with the hit with Democrats Republican-controlled Legislature clearly rested on Gregg. By RICH JAMES Gregg two weeks ago promised that Lake County would be MERRILLVILLE – Democrats across the country his first stop the day after being sworn in as governor. In took a hit during Tuesday’s election, but nowhere was it fact, he said he hoped to be able to get to Lake County in felt more than in Northwest Indiana. NWI had the most the event of a heavy snow since state plows “stop at the riding on the Indiana governor’s race. Democrats in that Lake County line.” Poor snow removal on state highways in corner of the state were high on John Gregg, the party’s NWI has long been a point of contention. candidate for governor. Just as he couldn’t overcome the A Gregg victory likely would have meant some plurality of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney NWI folks landing jobs on the state level. One of the in 2012, Gregg couldn’t make up for names most prominently mentioned was that of Buncich Donald Trump’s huge plurality this himself, who is serving his final term as sheriff. year. With the next governor’s race four years away, the According to NWI Democrats, region has some time to help plan and cultivate their next Gregg was to be the area’s link to In- candidate for governor. House Minority Leader dianapolis and the massive amounts of Michigan City could well be the guy that Democrats turn of money resting in state coffers. to. In the interim, NWI’s fate will rest on local Republican Gregg made a considerable number legislators who are in the majority in both houses of the of stops in the area, hoping to raise General Assembly. money and energize the region’s It will be incumbent on Reps. Ed Soliday, of Val- Democrats. paraiso, of Hebron and Hal Slager of Lake County Democratic Schererville and Sens. Ed Charbonneau of Valparaiso and Chairman John Buncich, who also is county sheriff, led the Rick Niemeyer of Lowell to see to it that the region isn’t push for Gregg, working hard to bring out the area’s huge forgotten as it feels it was under Gov. Mike Pence. v union vote. While the region’s vote for Gregg was sub- stantial, the pluralities of the past were diminished by the Rich James has been writing about state and local unexpected turnout for Trump and the residual effect for government and politics for more than 30 years. Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Holcomb.

in Indianapolis, the chose Bosma elected speaker 5th time Pelath as leader, State Rep. Linda Lawson (D-Hammond) INDIANAPOLIS – Members of the Indiana House as House Democratic floor leader and State Rep. John Republican Caucus convened yesterday to organize and Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) as caucus chairman. This will be elect its leadership team. The caucus has a 70-30 advan- Pelath’s third consecutive term as leader for the House tage. House Speaker was elected to a record fifth term as Democrats, Lawson’s third term in her post, and Bartlett’s speaker. “We are ready to move past this unprecedented second term as caucus chair. “We have just seen an elec- election season and work on our legislative agenda to help tion that was very difficult for Democrats at the state and lead Indiana forward,” Bosma said. “We have a strong national levels,” Pelath said after his selection. “We face a leadership team in place and I look forward to working significant challenge that transcends the usual work that with our new members, and the new governor and his we do.” team. This session, we will keep our focus on continued fiscal integrity, a long-term infrastructure funding plan, Merritt to lead Senate GOP and teacher and student focused education opportunities.” The Majority Caucus met today State Rep. (R-Noblesville) was in Indianapolis to elect its leadership team for the 120th elected Majority Caucus Chair, her fifth term in the posi- General Assembly. Seven senators-elect joined with tion. State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) was elected to incumbent caucus members to reelect State Sen. David serve as Majority Floor Leader, his second term. Long (R-Fort Wayne) as their choice for Senate president State Rep. Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) again pro tempore and State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis). will serve as the leader for Indiana House Democrats Long has served as president pro tempore since during the 2017 and 2018 sessions of the Indiana Gen- 2006, and Merritt has held his leadership post since 2004. eral Assembly. During an organizational meeting today v Page 18

Mark Bennett, Terre Haute Tribune-Star: Vigo mind but rather an urgent desire for positive and lasting County spoke for itself Tuesday, just as it always has. But, change in this state. v could it be that, for the first time since 1952, the nation disagreed? Not so fast. The county’s charmed political life Jon Webb, Evansville Courier & Press: The as “America’s presidential bellwether” seemed poised to first alert flashed across my phone just before 1:30 a.m. end with the 2016 election. As the votes were tabulated Wednesday. “: Donald Trump elected early Tuesday evening, it became clear that Vigo Coun- president.” I looked out the window. I always assumed tians heavily favored ex-reality TV star and real estate that news would come alongside a Stay-Puft Marshmallow billionaire Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. When Man with a bad wig and leather vest who would stomp news of Trump’s victory in the county reached the rest of through the city and pull buildings out of the ground like the country, the initial presumption was that Vigo would wild onions. Instead: calm street. A neighbor leading lose its bellwether status after favoring the win- a mixed-breed dog up the sidewalk. Flattened ning presidential candidate in 30 of the previous Budweiser cans in the road. I’d spent the previous 32 elections. As results began to flow in from 12 hours in the newsroom, watching returns roll elsewhere around the country, with Trump win- in that I always expected, deep down, but dis- ning numerous states, it became apparent that missed as paranoia. But, in the words of the great Vigo County had once again mirrored the nation. songwriter Warren Nicholson, “there’s a word for Unlike 2008, when Vigo Countians helped make history people who are paranoid. And that’s correct.” Trump used by overwhelmingly electing as the United the anger of everyone from construction workers to col- States’ first African-American president, Clinton’s quest to lege graduates. According to exit polls collected by Vice, become the country’s first female president got far less 63 percent of white men voted for Trump. Fifty-four per- support from Vigo County in 2016. Obama won the county cent of college-educated white men cast for Donny, as did by 16 percent in ‘08, nearly double his national margin of 45 percent of Caucasian women with university degrees. victory. This year, Clinton lost Vigo to Trump by 17 percent. Among white women in general, Trump snagged 53 per- She appears to have won the national popular vote by less cent – 10 percentage points better than Hillary Clinton. All than a percentage point, as of Wednesday morning, while from a guy accused of assaulting numerous women over Trump won the presidency through an edge in the deci- numerous years. v sive Electoral College. Going into the 2016 election, every winning presidential candidate since 1888 had carried Vigo CBS News: According to the The New County, except two – (who lost locally Will Rahn, York Times’ Robert Draper, Trump pretty much told John to ) in 1908, and Dwight D. Eisen- Kasich he could run the country if he’d be his running hower (who lost locally to Adlai II) in 1952. mate. Donald Jr. was reportedly the one to make the of- None of the other 3,142 counties have reflected the na- fer, and said that his father’s vice presidential candidate tion’s political will more accurately, according to Dave Leip, “would be in charge of domestic and .” Who the Massachusetts researcher and compiler of the “Atlas of knows if a similar deal was made with Mike Pence. But U.S. Presidential Elections.” it would make a degree of sense, given what we know about Trump his enthusiasms. You could see him easily Matt Tully, IndyStar: In about two months Eric gliding into the role of the boss – the decider, if you will – Holcomb will take over a state that has been through a lot who is still comfortable with outsourcing a lot of what he in recent years, both good and bad. He will offer a new does. This arrangement also would make sense for Trump voice, a new perspective and a new leadership style after because he’s not really one for , and he certainly far too much division. Most important, he will take control isn’t a policy wonk. Pence is by all means an ideologue, of the governor’s office at a time of challenges and oppor- and one known and liked by the Republican ideologues tunities as vast as the tens of thousands of square miles set to run Congress. Together, they would do what normal between the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. He can be one parties try to do while in power: force through an agenda, of the greats, one of the bold-thinking leaders who have one that probably won’t be too distinct from the once the truly left a mark, or he can be a caretaker. Let’s hope he GOP has pushed for decades. The GOP could still easily goes boldly and not gently into these next four years. Con- break apart. Part of why it might be smart for Trump to gratulations, Governor-elect Holcomb. You now have the let Pence manage things behind the scenes then, is that chance to move Indiana forward on a number of critical is- if it’s understood that the vice president calls a lot of the sues and to make very loud and very clear that we simply shots, and that that vice president is trusted by the GOP, don’t have time for the type of silly distractions and petty it promises some degree of predictability and continuity. debates that have marred too much of the past four years. Mystery can be alluring, but chaos makes people nervous,. As a Hoosier who has long said that you would be a solid But Pence taking on a tremendously powerful role in the governor, all I can now do is ask and hope that you wake new administration just might be unavoidable. v up every morning not with politics or partisanship on your Page 19

voters who consider themselves liberal Trump carried sided with Clinton 80% of the time Trump, Pence mull and those who consider themselves appointments Indiana women conservative went with Trump 84% of the time. As for the moderates, WASHINGTON — Now, as the INDIANAPOLIS — Although the candidates seem to have split the president-elect prepares to fly to the many predicted Donald Trump’s vote, with more siding with Trump capital to meet with President Barack controversial comments about women at 49% and 44% siding with Clinton. Obama, Donald Trump is closing in on would turn them off at the polls, that When it comes to marital status, more several crucial appointments. Repub- largely proved not to be the case married people voted for Trump at lican National Committee Chairman (Kenney, WRTV). Accord- 58% and Clinton at 35%. , who embraced Trump ing to exit polls, 53 per- More single people sided with far earlier than most establishment cent of Indiana females Clinton, but margins were Republicans, is now the leading candi- voted for Trump; 60 close. Clinton got 47% of that date to serve as White House chief of percent of white women vote and Trump stepped away staff, the position Trump intends to fill in Indiana voted for with 46%. When voters were first. But he has competition. Transi- Trump. RTV6 spoke with asked to choose the most tion chairman Chris Christie is making several female Hoosier voters today important issue facing the country, the case for a top job too, based on to find out what issues resonated with Trump supporters chose terrorism and experience and loyalty, and he could them that made them want to vote for Clinton voters chose foreign policy. wind up in the chief position, accord- Trump. Lyn Wuethrich, of Lawrence Voters were also asked what quality ing to two sources and Vice President- Township, said she voted for mattered most in their presidential elect Mike Pence. Both Priebus and in the primary and straight Republican candidate. Trump voters overwhelm- Christie are among most experienced ticket on Election Day. “I just feel the ingly chose the ability to bring needed politicians advising Trump, and togeth- Republican policies are what is best change and Clinton supporters were er, with campaign manager Kellyanne for me and my family,” said Wuethrich. adamant that they wanted a candidate Conway, they led a staff meeting “Even though I didn’t like some of his with experience. When asked how at Trump Tower on Wednesday to words and actions, I felt like we all they thought the government was lay out plans for the next 72 hours. have issues with that.” Wuethrich said working, most Clinton voters said they Meanwhile, Conway, who became as a mother and grandmother, she were satisfied, but not enthusiastic. a near constant television presence worries about homeland security and Trump voters said they were angry. in the campaign’s final two months the economy. after being named campaign manager Banks resigns in the summer and whose sunny, Working class indefatigable presence likely led many from Indiana Senate women voters to warm to Trump, propelled Trump could be White House press secretary, WASHINGTON — State Sen. according to a source. “I think that Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) submit- INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana job is hers if she wants it,” the source an official letter of resignation exit polls are shining a light on how said. “No one was more effective at from his position as Indiana State Donald Trump was able to quickly carrying our message than her. On Senator for District 17 to Senate win the Hoosier state in his path to the campaign, very few staffers were President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort victory (Fox59). Like many expected, accurately titled. She was officially Wayne), Banks announced in a new a majority of voters ages 30 and up the campaign manager but, really, release yesterday (Howey Politics sided with Trump on Election Day. she was the top spokeswoman.” Also Indiana). Banks’ resignation will take But if only the millennial generation attending Wednesday’s Trump Tower effect Nov. 9, 2016 at 6 p.m., allowing voted, the state’s outcome might have meetings were Breitbart editor-turned- his replacement to be chosen before turned out differently. Exit polls show campaign CEO Steve Bannon, Pence, the start of the 2017 legislative ses- 49% of voters 18-29 voted for Clinton , a former Goldman sion. Banks, who was elected to the while 40% voted Trump. The polls Sachs executive rumored to be a likely U.S. House of Representatives, will also show education was a determin- Treasury Secretary, Trump’s son-in-law represent Hoosiers in Indiana’s 3rd ing factor. 64% of voters with a high Jared Kushner, who quietly managed Congressional District. As required by school diploma or less voted for Trump the day-to-day campaign operations, Indiana law, a caucus of Republican with 33% voting Clinton. On the op- Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Rick precinct committeemen in Senate posite end of the education spectrum, Dearborn, and Sen. , the District 17 will meet to select Banks’ 54% of people with a postgraduate first senator to back Trump and a pos- permanent replacement who will serve degree voted for Clinton and 39% sible pick to be secretary of defense. voted for Trump. As one might think, in the Indiana State Senate.