A Message from Jim Schellinger

From Jim Schellinger, Democratic Candidate for Governor

Friends,

We want to make sure you don't miss the profile of Jim that was printed in this week’s edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal. It offers a great deal of insight into Jim’s leadership style, his working-class background and the reasons he decided to run for Governor as a first-time candidate.

From the story:

At CSO Architects, employees look forward to brown bag lunches. About once a month, they break into small groups that don’t often mix. Executives, draftsmen and administrative assistants alike put their own bags up for grabs, then take a chance on one of their co-worker’s concoctions.

It’s an hour Jim Schellinger coordinates himself. Casual conversation over bologna and pudding may seem mundane next to pressing construction deadlines. But it breaks down barriers. And it generates good will.

“He lets you be part of the team,” said Tracy Carfanga, CSO’s director of finance, who has worked for Schellinger for 12 years. “He lets you have responsibilities, and counts on you to take care of them. He lets you have ownership. And when you do them, he thanks you.”

A fresh-faced 47, Schellinger is trying to leverage his reputation as a consensus builder to Indiana’s highest office. Since entering the race for governor last year, he’s been criss-crossing the state touting his “Pick Up Indiana Jobs Plan,” which emphasizes work-force training, small-business incentives and development of “green-collar” jobs that encourage development of environmentally friendly businesses.

Schellinger, a South Bend native, has never run for public office before, though he’s long been a contributor to Democratic candidates.

He complains that Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, has forced divisive change on issues like daylight-saving time and the lease of the Indiana Toll Road. He promises to offer the antithesis of Daniels’ topdown approach.

“Democrats and independents and Republicans alike agree that we can and should be doing better in Indiana. We deserve better leadership,” Schellinger said. “This has been my central message from day one. It’s what inspired me to step up out of my comfort zone to do this. Because I believe there’s so much potential in Indiana and we have not tapped it.”

“I’m a big believer in teamwork. I’m a big believer in bringing people together,” he continued. “You cannot accomplish anything with a leadership style that’s arrogant and polarizes people.”

Click here to read the full article.

For more coverage of Jim’s campaign, please visit www.PickUpIndiana.com.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!