WARSAW — Candidates or his representative, including a presidential candidate, from all contested and uncontested races were present at the annual Republican Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday evening, April 28. The event was held at Champaign Jam, Warsaw.

Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb was the key speaker who shared his reason for accepting the governor’s appointment and the way Indiana was, its current state and the future. “The main reason (I took this position) I know what is at stake for our state come this November.”

Kosciusko Republican Charmian Randy Girod sharing a laugh with Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

“Pre 2005, before Republicans were in charge leading the state of Indiana, our state was simply broke about $800 million in the hole … depleted the rainy day fund … raiding funds … delaying payments to our local schools and local government units … forcing agencies to go and barrow … Department of Labor was operated, I would submit, directly by the AFL-CIO, Indiana Department of Environmental Management closely reflected Obama’s EPA … chasing jobs away … road and state bridge projects promised (but never happened).”

He was touted by the opposition as the governor’s attack dog, hatchet man. “I don’t see myself as an attack dog. I told my wife, don’t you see me as a lovable puppy? I’m loyal like a dog, I do have a memory like a dog and I do plan on holding them accountable … I remember working intimately with a lot of people in this room … I don’t think for a second we need to embellish the record or spin the record … If you rewind the tape and look at the facts …”

Holbcomb stated Hoosiers have every reason to be proud and the state is strong. He provided highlights since Pence went into office: the AAA credit rating, a $2.14 billion rainy day fund, No. 1 in the midwest in every tax climate, regulations … finishing the Hoosier Heartland, finishing I-69 in the southwestern quadrant “that we’ve been talking about since the Korean conflict.” He noted the possibility of a fourth port, another bridge over the Ohio river “When you look around the country, our competition … see why so many people are choosing to locate in the state of Indiana. Why we are winning, not just competing, but winning … we have the money, fiscal discipline to keep our house in order.”

He mentioned companies who have located to the state, why Indiana is the third largest auto manufacturer, more people are working than the past 200 years, creation of 135,000 new private sector job options, the reduction of unemployment and 34,000 fewer people on the state’s welfare role. “We created this magnet and environment …”
He spoke of the upcoming election noting it will be a local choice. “In my mind are we going to go back to past ways, that I would argue failed us … or we going to continue on the Republican role under the leadership of Gov. Mike Pence” … be a model and show the rest of the country …

“The best way to predict the future is to create it” he said quoting Abraham Lincoln.”

Randy Girod, county chairman, moderated the evening, recognizing party officers, and past party chairmen. Rhonda Helser spoke briefly about the Republican Women’s Organization. The evening concluded with candidates or his representative providing brief speeches.