V23, N21 Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 A crucial GOP Senate race unfolds Messer wins straw poll, but a 3-way battle with Rokita and Braun is forming By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – Luke Messer’s win of the Republican Congress of Counties straw poll on Saturday was little more than an early milepost in what will almost certainly be a $100 million U.S. Senate race that could al- ter the power in Washington. Messer Luke Messer with supporters, Todd Rokita won with 147 dons a MAGA hat, and Mike Braun chats votes, followed by 82 for U.S. Rep. with Mark Hurt at the Republican Con- Todd Rokita, 36 for Mike Braun, gress of Counties straw poll on Saturday. 29 for Mark Hurt, 20 for Andrew (HPI Photos by Mark Curry) Takami and 12 for Andrew Horn- ing. While it generated weekend headlines for Messer, the Continued on page 3 exercise created a fascinating glimpse into how this race Wildcard, joker & ace By CRAIG DUNN KOKOMO – Playing cards may not be your favor- ite pastime, however you don’t need to know much about gambling to understand big stakes. This year’s U.S. Senate primary in Indiana is no doubt a high leverage game that “I’m extremely pleased to bring will take smarts, resolve and of course millions of dollars, to aboard a person of such cali- win. So, the question for Hoo- ber as Judge Bonaventura. Her sier Republicans is, “Who do we want playing our hand?” Luke breath of experience and depth Messer, Todd Rokita, and Mike Braun are the likely contenders of knowledge will continue to to lead the Republican ticket prove indespensible.” this fall. I suggest we ask our- selves who is best positioned to - Attorney General Curtis Hill beat Joe Donnelly. announcing the hiring of A long view of political history tells us the first mid- Mary Beth Bonaventura Page 2 term election of a newly elected unfolds. president can be challenging for that There is also a joker in this president’s party. When you couple race. I say joker because I don’t know this trend with a hostile media focused how much of what Congressman on derailing the Trump-Pence agenda, Rokita says is intended to be taken the political terrain this fall could be seriously. I have known Congressman difficult. Add to this environment an Rokita for a long time, however I’m affable Joe Donnelly who is willing unfamiliar with the Todd Rokita I’ve to take both sides of every issue and seen on the campaign trail this last run a shameless campaign based on year. In his blind ambition to climb the Howey Politics Indiana centrist rhetoric that ignores his liberal political ladder, Rokita has simultane- WWHowey Media, LLC 405 voting record, it becomes clear that ously attacked other qualified candi- Massachusetts Ave., Suite Republicans will need a responsible, dates while bending the truth to hype 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204 thoughtful, and tough candidate. his status as everyman’s conservative. Let’s take a look at the Both tactics are unnecessary and www.howeypolitics.com candidates who are “all in” for 2018 and see who has the Brian A. Howey, Publisher best chance at recapturing Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington this crucial Senate seat for Jack E. Howey, Editor Indiana Republicans. Let’s start with the Mary Lou Howey, Editor wildcard. Mike Braun by Mark Curry, photography all accounts seems to be a decent man with a successful Subscriptions business, but there are many more questions than answers HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 surrounding his candidacy at HPI Weekly, $350 this point. With a history of Ray Volpe, Account Manager voting Democrat, and some 317.602.3620 less than attractive tax-hike email: [email protected] votes in the legislature, Mike Braun will certainly not have the luxury of winning the Contact HPI nomination without some [email protected] serious scrutiny. However, if he did, what would Braun’s Todd Roklta prior to the straw poll vote (HPI Photo by Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 general election campaign Mark Curry) Washington: 202.256.5822 look like? The shortest and Business Office: 317.602.3620 most honest answer is we don’t know. unfortunate. That’s why I believe his candidacy is a Todd Rokita has a record © 2018, Howey Politics wildcard. that should suffice in building a narra- The question Hoosier tive to share with voters, but instead Indiana. All rights reserved. Republicans will have to answer is Rokita has chosen to re-create himself Photocopying, Internet forward- whether we are comfortable with a as an “outsider.” My guess is that Con- ing, faxing or reproducing in candidate who has not built a state- gressman Rokita’s campaign slogan any form, whole or part, is a wide grassroots network, and until of “defeat the elite” will ring hollow violation of federal law without 2012, was still voting for Democrats. when Rokita’s life story and political Furthermore, Mr. Braun may be a past are brought to light. After all, permission from the publisher. nice guy, but how will he handle the Rokita attended some of the most onslaught of negative media and elite schools in Indiana and is known nonstop press coverage in the “got- to boast about owning private planes cha” age of journalism? We’ve seen a since he was a young man. Somebody simple debate answer completely de- with this life story may not want to rail a Senate campaign and in my view act as though life has dealt him a raw this isn’t the time to pin our hopes on hand. As the guys on ESPN would say, a wildcard. The eyes of the GOP will “C’mon, man!” be on Mr. Braun as the GOP primary Rokita has dined at the public Page 3 trough longer than all of his U.S. Senate primary oppo- while offering a knowledgeable and upbeat presentation to nents combined. The truth is Congressman Rokita didn’t voters of every stripe. It’s why he’s garnering support from have a problem seeking their favor over the last 20 years elected officials and grassroots conservatives alike. He’s as he sought a number of political offices, including gover- also an effective communicator who can present a conser- nor. vative message and handle the media, skills that cannot In the end, it is not that Rokita’s message is be overstated. A hostile media in this midterm election flawed, he is simply a flawed messenger who’s been a could go far in undermining an otherwise good candidate. part of the political elite his entire But maybe most importantly to defeating life. If you doubt this, take a look Joe Donnelly, Messer is a likable guy. When at FEC reports. It isn’t ma and pa you first meet Luke, it’s likely you’ll hear about 10-dollar donations that are fueling his kid’s basketball game before the policy the Rokita campaign. Maybe there issue of the day. Messer is a family man with a is still time for Rokita to find his record of leadership for this state, and he’s not way, but if he stays the current claiming to be anything different. Luke Messer course, the hypocrisy will be too is the ace in the hole that Hoosier Republicans much for Indiana voters. You sim- can count on before they bet the family farm. ply can’t lift yourself up by tearing This U.S. Senate race is too important others down, you can only attempt to Indiana and the nation to take a wild gam- to drag them down to your level. ble on an untried candidate of dubious political heritage Further, I became very concerned with the culture or a candidate who bends scripture and then quotes it to of fear that hung over the Rokita Congressional staff like fit his needs. Now is not the time to place our money and a cloud of misery, as good staff people made walking on support on unprepared or unreliable candidates. eggshells a daily ritual. That’s not how you treat good Republicans must remember how Sen. Donnelly people. got this seat in the first place, and keep in mind the dam- Fortunately, there’s also an ace in the race. Luke age done in Alabama by a bad candidate just last month. Messer is emerging as the clear choice of Indiana Repub- I think it’s time for Hoosier Republicans to come together licans to defeat Joe Donnelly. He has the background, and get serious about winning this fall. In my estimation, tenacity and authenticity this race demands. Messer was we should be placing our bets on Luke Messer. raised by a single mom in rural Greensburg, and worked In full disclosure, I have given thoughtful consid- his way through college and law school. He’s built a career eration to all of the candidates in the Republican Senate on leading meaningful policy change, first as a state leg- primary and decided several months ago to support Luke islator, then as a nationally respected advocate for school Messer. It’s time to send a political chameleon like Joe choice and now as a member of the leadership team in the Donnelly packing. v House. Messer is a thoughtful and strong conserva- Dunn is the former Howard County Republican tive who shares the values of Indiana’s conservative base, Party chairman. revealing a candidate surrounded by enthusiastic support- Senate race, from page 1 ers. From an audio standpoint, Messer’s speech before is being run and possibly how it will turn out over the next attendees was largely a rehash of his campaign kickoff last four and a half months.