V17, N36 Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Ellspermann, Simpson set for tickets integrity, business background and Gubernatorial tickets experience in state government that will make her a great lieutan- diversify over the past ant governor,” said Pence. “She will two election cycles be a tremendous asset as we work to bring more jobs to Indiana.” By BRIAN A. HOWEY At a joint presser in India- INDIANAPOLIS - Republican napolis, Pence added, “I chose Sue gubernatorial nominee Mike Pence of- Ellspermann plainly and simply ficially named State Rep. Sue Ellsper- because she is the best person for mann to the ticket Monday morning. the job. She is uniquely qualified Hours later, WISH-TV reported that to serve as lieutenant governor of John Gregg would tap Senate Minority Indiana. She has the values, the Leader Vi Simpson to his ticket, with experience and the character to the official announcement set for 2 meet the demands of that office, p.m. today on the south steps of the and should the need arise, to lead Statehouse. Indiana as our governor.” The selections continue a “It has been my pleasure trend where the top of gubernato- to work closely with Sue Ellsper- rial tickets have been diversified by mann for two years now, both as gender. The move came after House a candidate and as a legislator, Speaker Brian Bosma and Lt. Gov. and I can say without reservation Becky Skillman had urged the GOP that she is an excellent choice for nominee to consider a woman. lieutenant governor,” Bosma said. Simpson ran a brief guber- “As part of the Mike Pence team, natorial campaign in 2003, pulling Sue will offer her tireless and out after the death of Gov. Frank Republican ticket Sue Ellspermann and Mike positive campaign efforts through O’Bannon and then Gov. Joe Kernan’s Pence (top) on the campaign trail prior to her se- the November election, and more reentry into the race (See page 5). lection. In lower photo, Sen. Simpson and Gregg “Sue Ellspermann has the with former First Lady Judy O’Bannon. Continued on page 3 ‘Smart, motivated, ambitious’ By RUSS STILWELL BOONVILLE - Of all the Republican possibilities in our clearly Republican leaning state I was mildly surprised that Congressman Mike Pence chose Sue Ellspermann, the freshman legislator from Ferdinand to ‘‘First, they ought to talk to Mitt be his running mate. It’s not that she Romney because he basically laid out is not a bright, hard-working issue- so many of the premises in it. If they driven ambitious officeholder – she is – but because I’m not sure what she want an argument, they ought to start brings to the ticket. with him.” Upon learning of the announce- ment, I called a long time political op- - U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, on defending his erative who knows Ellspermann fairly vote for Obamacare well. His comments were succinct: HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Tuesday, May 22, 2012 “It really speaks to the character of continuing reading, the numbers re- Pence that he would consider some- flected a different scenario. one who is a complete novice and has Voters were prepared to “not zero qualifications for the job. Does vote for Russ Stilwell.” And they did. anyone in the state of Indiana think She won by 800 some votes out of www.HoweyPolitics.com that she is prepared to be governor of 20,000 plus votes cast. My message our state?” to those who say Ellspermann is not Has there ever been a fresh- ready for the job: Do not underesti- Howey Politics man legislator on the gubernatorial mate Sue Ellspermann when it comes Indiana ballot in the Hoosier state? to a mammoth political challenge. is a non-partisan newsletter I know Sue Ellspermann She’s focused, motivated, self-confi- based in Indianapolis. It was well enough to know that you should dent and more. founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. not ever underestimate her and her But there are and will be ambitions. She defeated me in my challenges for the Pence campaign SW Indiana legislative seat fair and with Ellspermann on the ticket. The Brian A. Howey, Publisher square in the 2010 elections. And she first thing that comes to mind is how Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington did so without the standard negative voters (Tea Party voters?) will react Jack E. Howey, editor campaign mode of operation that most when they realize that she voted in Beverly K. Phillips, associate challengers rely on to win. Actually, we the Democrat Primary Election in both signed a “no negative campaign 2008. One can only assume that she editor pledge” and to the best of my knowl- voted for Obama or Hillary. That would edge we both held true to our pledge. give even main street Republicans Subscriptions But make no mistake about it, pause, let alone the Tea Party types $350 annually HPI Weekly the race for governor and lieutenant who seem to dominate the Republican governor is not just another interest- party. Her Republican ideological purity $550 annually HPI Weekly and ing legislative contest. The gloves will might be questioned. HPI Daily Wire. come off and the race for ideological Other challenges that 'Call 317.627.6746 purity will begin. the Ellspermann nod will bring is When folks ask me about the absolute disgust that organized Ellspermann, I often use different labor has for her outspoken views on Contact HPI adjectives to describe her. Words like right-to-work. Now I’m not suggesting Howey Politics Indiana hard working, motivated, smart, ambi- that these voters were going to vote 6255 Evanston Ave. tious and good on her feet. She can for Pence, but many of these union Indianapolis, IN 46220 speak and work a room standing up, members believe Sue Ellspermann is www.howeypolitics.com sitting down, using a podium, sitting the right-to-work lightning rod. They in a chair or just walking through the follow her with protests at many of [email protected] audience. her campaign and other public appear- 'Howey Cabin: 812.988.6520 When campaigning for the ances. This is a blip that a campaign 'Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 2010 primary (more about that later), does not want to have. 'Washington: 703.248.0909 Ellspermann actually knocked on my Ellspermann does bring ideo- 'Business Office: 317.627.6746 front door looking for votes. My wife logical purity and single-messaging was cordial but said “no thanks” when that would be consistent with Pence. offered her campaign flyer. My point She is an attractive female candi- © 2012, Howey Politics Indiana. is that she and her campaign team date who never sees a challenge she All rights reserved. Photocopy- ran a most efficient campaign that doesn’t think she can overcome with ing, Internet forwarding, fax- had scores of volunteers and moti- her educational pedigree. She balanc- ing or reproducing in any form, vated supporters. When my latest poll es the gender portion of the ticket and in early October 2010 showed that I is an ideological twin of Pence when it whole or part, is a violation of had a 66% job approval rating and a come to supporting business interests federal law without permission 66% positive name recognition (with and unwavering disapproval of anyone from the publisher. v low negatives) I almost quit reading who believes in a balanced view of the poll since these kind of numbers women’s reproductive health issues. normally mean reelection. But after I would suggest that Ellsper- HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Tuesday, May 22, 2012 mann’s geographical location does not bring very much to election booth in 2008 to support Obama or Clinton. the political table except for her home county. Like most Time will tell if she passes the others that will state legislators, her name ID is mostly not well known surely come as the campaign grinds it way to November. and most folks will not know much about her. That is a The gubernatorial race has always been between dilemma. The Pence campaign can identify her and intro- the candidates running for governor, not the LG candidate. duce her as a leading economic development proponent The Ellspermann pick for Republican LG in 2012 will not who brings experience and gender balance or the Gregg change this time-honored fact. campaign can introduce her as an inexperienced freshman A freshman legislator from a southern Indiana rural legislator that brings more of the same from a clearly right community will not advance the Pence campaign nor will it of center ideological campaign team. hinder the campaign. It will only add gender balance with a At the end of the day it will be Hoosier voters candidate who is smart, motivated and ambitious. v who will make the choice. And like most every gubernato- rial campaign in modern history, the LG candidate is mostly Stilwell is the former Indiana House Democratic ma- along for the ride. The first test of any pick for LG is that jority leader. they do no harm. Ellspermann passes this first test, provid- ed she is forgiven for wandering into the Democrat primary man, ignited that issue against Planned Parenthood and it Pence/Ellspermann, from page 1 was then taken up in the Indiana Senate, then the House and Gov. Daniels signed it into law. That issue has brought importantly, she will bring her extensive private and public criticism from Democratic nominee John Gregg. sector experience in economic development, education and She coauthored a law that requires the Indiana agriculture issues to the table as our next lieutenant gover- Department of Child Services be notified if abortions are nor.