Former agriculture leader Pearson to run for Secretary of State

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party today announced that former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Joseph R. Pearson will lead the Democratic ticket this year as candidate for Secretary of State.

“Joe brings a wealth of experience in state and local government to this job, and he’s an excellent pick to lead our ticket this year,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker.

“Hoosiers need someone in the Statehouse who will listen to them and who will do his best to serve their needs,” Parker continued. “Joe Pearson isn’t in this for himself. He’s in it for the people. And that’s the kind of person we need in state government these days.”

Pearson, 63, served as deputy commissioner of agriculture under Govs. Frank O’Bannon and Joe Kernan. He also served 12 years on the Blackford County School Board and is a former president of the Indiana School Boards Association. Before entering public life, Pearson helped run a family grain farming business in Hartford City.

“I’m honored to be running for the job of Secretary of State,” Pearson said. “I’ve made a lifelong commitment to public service, and I hope I will be able to continue serving this great state.”

The party will announce its complete statewide ticket, including candidates for Auditor and Treasurer, at an event next week.

For more information: Jennifer Wagner, 317-231-7125 or 317-752-6497

John Gregg to chair Democratic Party’s state convention

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party today announced that former House Speaker John Gregg will chair the party’s 2006 state convention, which will be held in Indianapolis on June 3.

“It’s a privilege to be selected by the party for this position, and I look forward to helping connect my fellow Democrats in a year that could bring historic political change to our state and our country,” Gregg said.

Gregg served as Speaker of the Indiana House from 1996 to 2002 and was first elected to the chamber in 1986. Additionally, he served as the former Interim President of Vincennes University. He hosts a popular Saturday morning talk show on WIBC-AM (1070) in Indianapolis, and he currently is a member of the Government Services practice group at Bingham McHale, an Indiana law firm.

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker said Gregg was selected both for his political prowess and his motivating personality.

“If there’s one person in the state of Indiana who can bring a crowd to its feet and get them excited about the Democratic party and this year’s election, that person is John Gregg,” Parker said. “When he was in office, John listened to Hoosiers, and he respected them. We’re not seeing a lot of that in state government right now.”

Former Secretary of State and former state party chair Joe Hogsett called Gregg’s appointment an honor that befits his extraordinary legacy of public service and his professional reputation.

“It's certainly a tremendous honor for John Gregg to be selected as chair of the 2006 State Democratic Convention. His selection is a testament to his stature as one of Indiana's most dedicated public servants. From his days as House Speaker to his current efforts to advance economic and governmental initiatives, he continues to be an important force in our State,” said Hogsett, now a partner at Bingham McHale.

The party will adopts its formal platform and nominate candidates for Secretary of State, Auditor and Treasurer at the convention.

Members of the media who would like to attend the convention should call or e-mail Jennifer Wagner to be placed on the press list. She can be reached by phone at 317-231-7125 or by e-mail at jwagner@indems.org.

For more information: Jennifer Wagner, 317-231-7125 or 317-752-6497

Democrats Offer Alternative to Republican Energy Plan

By MICHAEL JANOFSKY

WASHINGTON, May 17 — Senate Democrats on Wednesday fueled the debate over rising gas prices by introducing an energy bill they said would do more to wean the country off foreign oil than the plan advanced three weeks ago by Republicans.

The bill would cut domestic oil consumption to 12 million barrels a day in 2020 from about 20 million barrels, its supporters say. It calls for expanding the use of alternative fuels for vehicles, in part by requiring more federally owned vehicles to use them, and by ensuring that more service stations sell them.

The bill would also revoke subsidies for the oil industry, increase subsidies for the renewable fuels industry and restore aid to low-income Americans struggling to pay energy bills.

"We need lower gas prices and energy independence," the minority leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, said at a news conference with nine other Democrats. "Republican leaders have proposed the same old solution: drill, drill, drill. But drill, drill, drill is not going to deliver the results we need."

For more on this story read online at the New York Times.

Hill says Sodrel won't debate on fuel prices

By Alex Davis
alexdavis@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Democrat Baron Hill made a campaign stop at a Clarksville gas station yesterday to discuss high gas prices and criticize Republican incumbent Mike Sodrel, his opponent in this fall's race for the 9th Congressional District seat.

Hill, who lost the seat to Sodrel two years ago, said in a statement yesterday that he is committed to "exploring alternative energy sources and providing economic relief for Southern Indiana's working families."

The Seymour native also claimed that Sodrel has refused to engage in a debate about fuel prices.

For more on this story, read the Courier-Journal online!

Agency criticizes records delay

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels' office took too long to produce some public documents sought by Democrats and his transportation department might have violated the state's public-records law, according to the state's public-access agency.

In an informal opinion sent to the Indiana Democratic Party yesterday, Public Access Counselor Karen Davis said the governor's response five months later to the party's request for copies of a contract and invoices "is not reasonable" under the law.

Also, she wrote that the Indiana Department of Transportation violated the public-records act if Commissioner Thomas Sharp deleted e-mails that should have been kept. She concluded that it is "likely" some of his e-mails met the requirement for retention.

She also criticized the department for failing to respond appropriately to a March request by Democrats to review documents concerning a proposed extension of Interstate 69.

Jennifer Wagner, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Democratic Party, said she's pleased by the opinion.

For more information on this story, check out the Courier-Journal.

Senate leader Garton upended

By Lesley StedmanWeidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS — Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton, a 36-year veteran of the Indiana Senate and one of the longest-serving state legislative leaders in the nation, was defeated last night by a political newcomer in a Republican primary.

Even before all the votes had been counted, Garton called to congratulate Columbus accountant Greg Walker, who said during his campaign that Garton, of Columbus, had served too long.

Walker had about 58 percent of the vote last night with more than half of the precincts reporting, according to an unofficial tally by The Associated Press.

Read more from Lesley Stedman Weidenbener online at the Courier - Journal.

Sodrel, Hill roll into key rematch

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS — Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel and Democrat Baron Hill easily defeated their 9th District primary opponents yesterday, setting up a rematch that has attracted interest from political observers nationally.

Sodrel, the owner of several Jeffersonville transportation companies, defeated first-time challenger Sam Schultz, an auto mechanic and combat veteran. He was winning roughly 80percent of the vote.

Hill, a former congressman from Seymour, also was far ahead of his three opponents.

Read more on the Congressional Election at the Courier-Journal Website.