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Senate District 45 Up for Grabs?
On a previous post (Stemler is Out), the comments section turned to Senate District 45 currently held by Senator Jim Smith(R). Based on those comments, I thought I'd weigh in on this coming race that will take place in 2018.
Senator Smith has struggled over the last term with constant issues, expulsion from his caucus, and lack of visibility. Add those up and it makes him very vulnerable should he decide to run for re-election. As of today, my sources state that he is "in" but it is getting late in the year especially knowing he has a very strong primary opponent. He has been noticeably MIA from all of the usual gathering events of local republicans. I think the wise thing to do for him would be to throw in the towel. But that's just my opinion.
In believe we have a strong team of local state officials who don't always see eye-to-eye but get past it to work well together to represent us. It seems Jim does not play well with others and that ultimately does not do good things for those he represents in District 45.
Thank you to the anonymous posts on the "Stemler" thread!
Great information for sure.
Future Senator Chris Garten? Former Senator Jim Smith?
So far, the only official candidate for senate district 45 is a new kid on the block, Chris Garten. A local business owner (Signature Countertops) and Iraq Veteran who served two combat tours. He is a Gunnery Sargent in the Marines. After doing some asking around, some of the feedback says he is just an all around good honest guy. Here is the Facebook about him for your reading pleasure: https://www.facebook.com/GartenforSenate/
Outside of the republican party, a few names of come up on the democrat side but nothing concrete. Those names include John Perkins, Bob Buttorff, and Julie Berry. Steve Stewart was mentioned in another thread, but it is unclear if it was a statement that he was looking at Stemler's House Seat or the Senate Seat. The libertarians have been silent but they usually throw someone in the mix.
3 of 4 of those names above are strong and would make for a very interesting General Election race in November of 2018. I personally think if Perkins is seriously running, he is wasting his golden years.
Someone in the "Stemler" thread also said Garten is "unbeatable".
Someone else mentioned how great it is to have "choices". I could not agree more.
After reading Chris Garten's bio, I have a feeling that Garten would not shy away from a challenge. I personally think he's not going to have much opposition in the primary.
What's your thoughts? Put them below in the comments.
Southern Indiana Open Mind Update
ReplyDeleteThe rumor today is that John Perkins has done some research and is thinking of a trip around to the various newspapers in the district to talk with the editors.
He is concerned about the loss of health insurance
for Hoosiers if ObamaCare is put to rest.
I think everyone in the individual health insurance market is concerned about the loss of health insurance for Hoosiers. That is an interesting approach for that topic. Not sure how helpful newspaper editors relate to healthcare.
ReplyDelete(NOTE: the announcement of Anthem and others pulling out of the individual health markets will not affect those in small groups or under employer provided plans. They are regulated differently)
I personally would be working to make sure I have the financial (personal/donors) support to run for a seat like that, first. Running a for a state office is a lot different than running for a local. After looking at the IN Campaign Finance site for the last Senate election in 45, both candidates appeared to have pumped over $200K each into their races. I'm just not sold that John has the reputation for a large mass of people to contribute to his campaign.
Someone prove me wrong!
This was not Open Minded, this is purley one sided, and weak.
DeleteChuck Johnson.
When I wrote this post almost a year ago it is opened minded as I saw it. I always welcome others to give thier point of view as well. Since this post, John Perkins did announce his candidacy for Senate.
DeleteSometimes I write about what I hear unbiased. Other times I give my opinion. It’s my blog, not a newspaper. I write what choose.
Back to the Garten/Perkins conversation: Yes I am one sided on this topic. I pretty clearly demonstrate that in my post about Perkins needing to go away.
John Perkins is not deterred by attacks upon his reputation.
ReplyDeleteHe has been a strong standard barrier of the D Party for quite some time now and independently speaks
his mind as well. He thrives on discussion
and debate. The unions always contribute
heavily to him and support him.
$200,000!Mucho Dinero! Dang,
those races are expensive!
"Not sure how
ReplyDeletehelpful newspaper editors relate to healthcare."
John Perkins probably wants to continue the ObamaCare system and expand it. He would probably utilize his tour with the newspapers to intelligently promote his concerns.
The analysis from the "District of Columbia Swamp" is that Obamcare is a disaster and it looks like both
sides are working to replace it now.
Muy pronto!
Jim Smith abandoned Republicans in favor of a small handful of tea party activists. Don't look for him to seek reelection. New comer Chris Garten has the whole district excited. Chris is a shoe in.
ReplyDeleteJohn Perkins may run and if so, it is on issues and merit.
ReplyDeleteChris Garten is an excellent candidate.
If Jim Smith supported the Tea Party's integrity and issues,
that is a superb exercise of merit, bro.
Garten would be building
on the issues that are very
important to America's recovery
to Make America Great Again, sister.
The Tea Party may have saved America from Totalitarian Communism.
Remember, that ' The Obama' cost the Democrat's
1,043 seats while he was in the national arena.
Open Minded Update
ReplyDeleteI just noticed a bad case of frustration by a MSM person that looks like it could be caused by the Trump Derangement Syndrome.....:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFfg1IxscuY