Supporters And Detractors Knew Walorski To Be Consistently Consistent
Jack Colwell
South Bend Tribune
A political career that seemingly is destined to bring continued success can be cut short by something other than votes, something not found in polls, something not political at all.
So it was with Jackie Walorski.
The Congresswoman representing Indiana’s 2nd District died in a two-vehicle, head-on crash that also took the lives of her district director, her communications director and the driver of the other vehicle involved in the Elkhart County accident.
With the House in recess, Walorski was back in the district campaigning for a sixth term. All the political analysts had the 58-year-old Republican rated as a sure winner, not just for re-election this fall, but for elections for the remainder of the decade in her solidly Republican district.
She was indeed sure to win politically against a Democratic opponent without sufficient name recognition, funding or organization. Then came something that no analyst could foresee.
Walorski, never shy about her conservative Republican views, had fervent supporters and fervent detractors. Vote totals from her last re-election in 2020 showed that the former far outweighed the later. She won by 23 percentage points, carrying nine of the 10 counties in the district. She failed to carry only Democratic-tending St. Joseph County, and her slim negative margin there was virtually wiped out by a big percentage win in tiny Pulaski County.
A Democrat who worked in campaigns against Walorski acknowledged recently that she probably represented the views of the majority of her constituents, not all in St. Joseph County, but in most of the sprawling district.
Back when she first ran for Congress in 2010, Walorski described herself as “a pit bull” in battles in Indianapolis as a state legislator. Her rapid-paced speaking style used then annoyed voters who disagreed with her message and even turned off some potential supporters. She lost in that first try and then had a closer race than expected, even after helpful redistricting for her, in winning narrowly in 2012.
Her style became more friendly, more careful, more persuasive as she went on to win big in later races. She talked of bipartisanship to get things done, joining in sponsorship with Democrats on legislation, while never swerving from her conservative philosophy. She became entrenched.
One of the first messages of condolence was from Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the Illinois Republican serving on the Jan. 6 Committee. “My heart is heavy, and I don’t have the words. But all I can say is prayers for her family,” Kinzinger wrote. “She was a good and honorable public servant.”
She and Kinzinger differed completely on Donald Trump. He voted for impeachment. She had high praise for Trump and was delighted to receive Trump’s endorsement in April.
Walorski hailed the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision as the culmination of the anti-abortion cause she consistently supported. Those agreeing with her views and those abhorring them knew that she was consistent, a true believer rather than a politician wavering on the issue one way of the other after seeing a poll or facing a protest.
In gaining seniority, Walorski would have been in line for more important committee roles if, as expected, Republicans take control of the House this fall. She was positioned to move up in seniority on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
I covered all of Walorski’s political career and knew her before she ever reached the state legislature. She didn’t always like what I wrote. But she never sent a nasty message or engaged in verbal attacks. When we met, she always had a cheerful greeting. Not all after a column with which they disagree are cheerful.
Some readers who didn’t like Walorski were angry when I wrote columns about her looking like a sure winner. Well, she did. She was – and she looked that way again until something not political at all intervened.
This article is published with permission from Hoosier State Press Association.