While there was a life-size cutout of presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, near the podium during Friday’s Republican Hall of Fame dinner, the focus was decidedly on local candidates and party leaders.
Pence got two or three passing references, but the presidential ticket that has sparked turmoil within the Republican Party in recent weeks was barely mentioned during a three-hour event at Creighton’s Crazy Egg banquet room.
Instead, local Republicans put the focus on U.S. Senate candidate Todd Young, as well as a tribute to longtime state lawmaker V. Richard Miller, who died earlier this year, and also named the annual man and woman of the year.
Kip Tom, an advisor on agricultural issues for the Trump campaign, introduced Young, who faces former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh for the seat being vacated by Dan Coats, who is retiring.
“There’s been a lot of noise and a lot of confusion mainly focused with the top of the ticket,” Tom said. “And I think we need to take a moment and pivot and look at the Senate. There’s critical votes that’s going to occur in the new Senate.”
“This race is critically important to our country and to our party,” Tom said as he introduced Young.
Young, the night’s featured speaker, also referenced “a lot of anxiety” and “uncertainty,” but nonetheless said the election will come down to a team effort in getting people to the polls. “I’m here to tell you, folks, we’re going to have a big night on election night. Republicans are going to win with your help,” he told an estimated 120 people in attendance.
A Congressman from the 9th District in southern Indiana, Young then delved into a spirited attack on Democrats and Bayh.
Under President Obama’s eight years in office, Democrats have had their chance to lead and failed, Young said. “We’re left with debt, doubt and despair. We’re left with a rudderless foreign policy. We’re less safe. Less secure. Clearly, this is a change election,” Young said.
He painted Bayh as a partisan “liberal ideologue” who had little to show for his work in the Senate. He also reiterated his contention that Bayh cast the deciding vote in the passage of the Affordable Care Act, known by many as Obamacare.
“If Evan Bayh hadn’t voted for Obamacare, we wouldn’t have it. That’s disqualifying right there,” Young said.
Young also picked up on a new report that suggests he spent little time in Indiana in 2010 after announcing that he would resign and not seek re-election. Despite saying he spent “lots and lots of time” in Indiana, reports say he spent much of his time out of state looking for future employment.
On Friday, Young referenced a $50,000 Indianapolis apartment that has an average monthly electric bill of $27.
“That’s a small carbon footprint, my friends,” he said.
The “greatest indictment of Bayh,” Young said, was his voting record on Supreme Court nominees, noting that Bayh had opposed all of Bush’s nominees while supporting all of President Barack Obama’s nominees that received a vote.
He also impressed upon the belief that the country has a bright future.
“I could go on and on with respect to the assets we have in the country. The only liability I can think of is our federal government … and with this U.S. Senate election, you can help change that,” he said.
Party leaders honored the late “Dick” Miller, who served in the State Senate for 12 years. He was also a businessman and helped run the family-owned business, Miller’s Merry Manor, which has grown to include 40 facilities while employeeing some 3,000 people.
Among those paying tribute to Miller were Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, a former state lawmaker who called Miller a mentor.
Written tributes from Coats, former Gov. Mitch Daniels and 4th District Congressman Todd Rokita also were read aloud, and a plaque and U.S. flag were presented to Miller’s family.
In a special turn of events, the party named former county chairperson Jean Northenor as woman of the year, and Tom as man of the year.
Tom made an unsuccessful bid for Congress earlier this year.
Northenor has been an integral party of the local party for decades and served as party chairman for several years. She helped establish the man and woman awards several decades ago.
