Pence Targets Job Growth, Party Nominates Candidates

June 11, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS (June 9, 2012) - Indiana Republican Party State Chairman Eric Holcomb issued this statement following the official nominations of Sue Ellsperman for lieutenant governor, Greg Zoeller for attorney general and Tony Bennett for superintendent of public instruction at today's Indiana Republican Party State Convention at the Indiana Convention Center:

"Sue Ellsperman is the perfect complement to Mike Pence and will be a stellar lieutenant governor. During her time in the State Legislature and in the private sector, Sue has been a strong advocate for Hoosier job creators and constructing an attractive environment for economic growth.

"Since first being sworn into office in 2009, Greg Zoeller has worked to protect Hoosier consumers through innovative reforms including the Do Not Call List and Indiana's joint effort to repeal Obamacare.

"Dr. Tony Bennett has worked tirelessly to understand the challenges that face today's educators, students and families. The education improvement items he championed along with Governor Mitch Daniels ─ including vouchers, an expansion of charter schools and teacher accountability ─ have been recognized as national models in education reform. His devotion to finding solutions to improve education in our state is unmatched."

The Indiana Republican Party State Convention took place today at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, with 1,776 delegates from around the state in attendance. Delegates officially nominated candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general and superintendant of public instruction, selected delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention and adopted the Indiana Republican Party platform.

Source: Indiana Republican Party

News Release-Issued June 9, 2012

Indianapolis, IN -Today, Mike Pence addressed delegates at the Indiana GOP State Convention in Indianapolis. Excerpted remarks below:

Excerpted from an address by Mike Pence, Republican Nominee for Governor to the 2012 Indiana State GOP Convention

(As Prepared for Delivery)

"I am running for governor because I love this state, because I have a vision for the future: I believe Indiana is on the verge of an era of growth and opportunity like no time in the history of state, and if we meet this moment with the right leaders and the right ideas, Indiana will take her rightful place as the leading state in the Midwest and one of the fastest growing state economies in America!"

***

"After 16 years of democratic leadership that left our state $700 million in debt, our roads were crumbling and our schools had gone unreformed for more than a generation.
In just under eight years, we've balanced budgets without raising taxes, cut taxes, earned a AAA bond rating, promoted economic freedom and given underprivileged kids the same choice in schools that other Hoosiers enjoy."

***

"As Indiana enters a new era, it's important for us to stop and honor those who have served us well. To Governor Daniels, Lt. Governor Skillman, you have made Indiana better and stronger and you will always be in our hearts and you will always have our thanks."

***

"My vision for Indiana is clear: to make Indiana the state that works.

Where we promote private sector job growth, develop world-class schools, protect taxpayers and support Hoosier families.

Where we create new products, develop new industries, find new cures, and send our Hoosier products from factory, farm and lab-to every part of the world.

Where Hoosiers are entrepreneurs and engineers, innovators and technicians, dreamers, builders and creators.

Where we believe in the future-and always look forward."

***

"So, today I am announcing our goals for achieving the vision for making Indiana the state that works.
To make Indiana the state that works we must make job creation job one, and make it our aim to have more Hoosiers going to work than ever before in our state's history!"
"That means our focus must be on:

* increasing private sector employment and
* attracting new investment in Indiana, with emphasis on manufacturing, life sciences,
agriculture and logistics."

***

"Our schools must work for all of our kids regardless of where they start in life and regardless of where they want to start their careers. This means our next goals must include:

* improving the reading and math skills of elementary students,
* increasing graduation rates,
* improving the quality of Indiana's workforce,

...until the Hoosier state has the best educated and the best skilled workforce in America!"

***

"Being the state that works should mean that our schools work for all our kids...whether you're college bound, or you want to get right into a job... our high schools must be there to help every student start on success."

***

"And being the state that works will mean recognizing our present crisis is not just economic and political, but moral...to renew our land, we must strengthen the institutions that nurture the character of our people... most especially the family.

That means our final goal must be

* improving the health, safety and well-being of Hoosier families, especially children.

To be the state that works, Indiana must be the state where family works. Where men and women can get enough work to support a family. Where childhood poverty is in decline and strong, healthy families are on the rise. Where every child is cherished
and protected and nurtured by those who are responsible for their care."

***

"In the weeks ahead, we will be outlining our strategies and solutions for moving Indiana from reform to results. With these goals before us, we can take Indiana from good to great. We CAN become the state that works."

June 10, 2012

News Release

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Members of the Indiana Republican State Central Committee elected Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman of Bedford and 7th District Chairman John Hammond of Indianapolis to represent their fellow Hoosier Republicans on the Republican National Committee.

Indiana Republican Party State Chairman Eric Holcomb said, "We are so pleased that Becky Skillman will have a role to continue her service to our Party of Purpose following her tenure as lieutenant governor. She will prove to be an invaluable partner to the Republican National Committee just as she has been to Governor Mitch Daniels these past eight years.

"John Hammond has dedicated most of his life to serving the Republican Party and its candidates. Representing his fellow Hoosier Republicans on the Republican National Committee is the natural next step."

Lt. Governor Skillman said, "Hoosier Republicans have come to expect solid, conservative leadership from the courthouse to Congress. We want our leaders to focus on the best ideas and ideals. My role on the RNC will be to continue this type of leadership on the national stage."

John Hammond said, "My vision for the position of National Committeeman is straight-forward: to serve the Republican Party by supporting our Party's state and national platforms and upholding our commitment to the principles of limited government, individual freedom and fiscal responsibility."

Skillman and Hammond will officially become National Committeewoman and National Committeeman on Friday, August 31, 2012, following the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. They will replace Dee Dee Benkie of Versailles and Jim Bopp of Terre Haute.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman Bio

Becky Skillman is serving her second term as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. Since 2005, she has served as the state's second in command with a clear vision of Indiana's complete economic comeback.

The National Lieutenant Governors Association says Becky Skillman has more legal duties than any other Lt. Governor in the country. She has soundly managed five state agencies that have administered more than $1 billion in programs since 2005 - the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Office of Energy Development, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and the Office of Tourism Development. Additionally, she chairs the state's Counter Terrorism and Security Council, and serves as President of the Indiana Senate. She is co-chairing the Indiana Bicentennial Commission and is conducting a statewide listening tour called the Hoosier Crossroads Tour.

Most importantly, she has worked in close partnership with Governor Mitch Daniels to advance an agenda of progress in Indiana. She has used her legislative experience to guide major issues such as property tax caps, the Healthy Indiana Plan, and Major Moves through the General Assembly.

Before serving as the first elected female Lieutenant Governor in Indiana, Becky held elected offices in Lawrence County for sixteen years. She also served as the President of the Association of Indiana Counties.

In 1992, Hoosiers in five southern Indiana counties elected Becky to represent them in the Indiana Senate. She was quickly recognized for her ability to lead and was the first woman elected to Senate Majority leadership. During her 12 years in the Senate, she led the charge to include the state's small towns and rural communities in its economic development agenda. There, she authored plans for development in distressed counties and revitalization of downtown areas.

John Hammond Bio

John R. Hammond III has served as chairman of the 7th Congressional District since 2005 and is co-chair of Ice Miller's Public Affairs Group. He served as a key aide to former Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr during his time as lieutenant governor, as well as serving as a deputy campaign manager for Orr's gubernatorial run in 1979 and heading up his transition team in 1980. He was senior executive assistant for Legislative Affairs and Education Policy in the Orr administration, serving as chief legislative liaison for six general sessions and three special sessions of the Indiana Legislature during the 1980s. Since leaving state government in 1988, he has led the governmental and public affairs programs for several major Indiana firms. He is a frequent public affairs panelist and lecturer. He has served as an advisor to several statewide campaigns, including the gubernatorial campaigns of Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence. Hammond was awarded his Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in 1976, and a juris doctorate from the Indiana University School of Law in 1991.

Source: Indiana Republican Party