Politics at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ask anyone what the biggest story was in old Middletown USA and most will tell you it was the 2012 election and how it impacted government leadership.

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - It seemed a little late for Statehouse Democrats to find new leadership after losing the ability to draw legislative districts in 2010 and then facing new super majorities by Republicans in the Indiana House and Senate this year. 

 Still, Sen Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, the Senate's new Democratic Floor leader, said his fellow 13 partisans in the Senate would stick to common sense issues like the true needs of Hoosiers to guide them through budget and policy matters in the upcoming session. Lanane, who also represents Muncie, succeeds Vi Simpson who retired from the Senate to run for lieutenant governor.

"Our proposals and budget priorities will reflect the principals of rebuilding our economy, our schools and our local communities," said Lanane, after the caucus chose him to lead.

 In the Indiana House, Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, became the Democratic minority leader, succeeding temporary leader and Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, who replaced longtime Democratic leader and former House Speaker Pat Bauer of South Bend last summer.

 Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, said Pelath had the obvious support among the 31 Democratic partisans after Bauer bowed out. Errington hoped that Republicans would be willing to work with Democrats and consider their views even though a super majority requires no support from the minority.

Indiana Politics Heating Up as Tuesday Approaches

By Rick Yencer

 SELMA, IN - Republican Richard Mourdock turned to prayer Saturday to salvage his multi-million dollar race for U.S. Senate against Democratic Congressman Joe Donnelly.

 Billed as a Faith, Family and Freedom rally, local evangelist Andrew Phipps led nearly 200 followers during a revival and a "laying on of the hands"  prayer for helping Mourdock and other local Republican candidates to defeat their Democratic foes and prevail in Tuesday's election.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN -  Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock was back on the campaign trail Thursday after that amazing pregnancy, rape and God remark that got 48 hours of national attention from President Barack Obama on The Tonight Show to U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. on CNN.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - The high flying campaign of Republican Mike Pence who wants to be Indiana's next governor came to Muncie Thursday to support Republican Brad Oliver who wants to beat Democrat Sue Errington in the Indiana House 34 race.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN  - Where else would you see Democrats like Mayor Dennis Tyler, Indiana House hopeful Sue Errington,  retired state lawmaker Allie Craycraft and even Muncie City Council member Linda Gregory in the same room? 

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - What to do about poverty in the community by those who want to be Delaware County Commissioners and how they faced a life in need was the topic during a gathering Thursday by TeamWork for Quality Living.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN  - The money and power of the Delaware County Republican Party demanded limited government and strong support of Israel during a Lincoln Day gathering led by Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock and  Luke Messer, who wants to be eastern Indiana's next congressman.

 As retired industrialist Van Smith said, "Are we going to own this government or is this government going to own us?"

 That statement alone represented the difference between the rich and powerful and the poor and powerless as Republicans are looking to keep Indiana in the red and make significant gains in Delaware County.

 About 150 people showed up for the event at the Cornerstone Center, and the old Ronald Reagan theme was in play with Republicans cast out by party Chairman Will Statom were standing with their party faithful to ensure the Legislature remains Republican besides the governor and that U.S. Senate seat that is a dead heat between Mourdock and Democratic Congressman Joe Donnelly. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence, who is the front runner against Democrat John Gregg, was in Congress and did not attend.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - University Democrats talking about the upcoming 2012 election abruptly stopped their meeting Sunday to oust a writer for the Muncie Free Press.

 Emily Rodriguez, a key supporter of Democrat Sue Errington, seeking the House District 33 seat, spoke up challenging the writer and asking if he was media and then said the meetings of University Democrats were private.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - What a great delegation Muncie had at the Democratic National Convention this week with a state lawmaker, a Community Development director and a student activist  and partisan  who posted, tweeted and talked about the experience of nominating President Barack Obama as their leader.

 State Rep. Mike White was elected by state delegates while Ball State University student Jason Pickell sent letters to other state delegates to find a seat from his South Bend home. Muncie Community Development Director Terry Whitt Bailey hopped a ride with some of her friends, including sorority sister and Gary Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson to get  to Charlotte, N.C.

 Anyone can see Pickell and Bailey and their convention adventures on Twitter and Facebook. Pickell tweeted it was a great honor on his LeftWingJason Twitter handle along with pictures of  musician and actor Jeff Bridges and other highlights of the campaign.

 Bailey used her Facebook site to post Wilson talking to the Indiana delegation and Congressman Andre Carson voting to nominate Obama as the party's candidate for president.

 White used an iPhone to tell activists and partisans about his experience and how he sees the 2012 election, the Obama -Romney race and what happens right here in Muncie and Delaware County. One of his first convention experiences was when then vice president Hubert Humphrey was nominated in 1968 only to lost to the late President Richard Nixon who later resigned over the Watergate political scandal.