Long-Thompson picks running mate

State Rep. Dennie Oxley II sings gospel music in quartets, but now he'll be part of a duet -- as the running mate to Democratic nominee for governor Jill Long Thompson.

Oxley, 37, did not return calls Friday seeking comment, and Long Thompson would only say that she'll discuss her choice on Monday, during a series of news conferences around the state. However, other Democrats, including House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, confirmed that Oxley is Long Thompson's choice.

Bauer said Oxley brings both geographic balance and state government experience to the Democratic ticket as it competes against Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.

Oxley is from English in Crawford County in Southern Indiana and has served in the Indiana House of Representatives since 1998. Long Thompson, 56, lives in Northern Indiana, on a Marshall County farm. She served in Congress from 1989 to 1995, and served as undersecretary of agriculture from 1995 to 2001.

"He's from the right part of the state and he's from the right part of government," Bauer said, who spoke to Oxley, a close ally who serves as majority whip in the House Democratic leadership team, to learn the news about his selection.

Oxley has been known for unsuccessfully trying to eliminate the state sales tax on gasoline, an issue that has gained traction as gasoline prices have now climbed to more than $4 per gallon.

In addition to being a lawmaker, Oxley is a former math teacher who currently is a project coordinator with the Indianapolis-based engineering firm of Beam, Longest and Neff LLC.

While not confirming the selection, former House Speaker John Gregg, D-Sandborn, said Oxley would bring strong credentials as a conservative Democrat, which will help the Democratic ticket in Southern Indiana.

"That's a key area for the Democrats," Gregg said. "Jill Long Thompson has great strength in the northern part of the sate. Central Indiana is Gov. Daniels' stronghold."

The Nov. 4 election between Long Thompson and Daniels, he predicted, "could be won or lost in Southern Indiana."

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