Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette Editorial: Long Thompson for governor
Published Sunday, May 27
While the presidential race has understandably captured most of the attention in Indiana primary campaigns, Hoosier Democrats will also cast ballots in the most hotly contested race for the party's gubernatorial nomination since 1980 - a race that, in any other year, would dominate political attention.
Like the presidential contenders, Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger are both worthy candidates who generally agree more than they disagree on broad issues. Both want to overhaul economic development efforts; both would advocate for public education at a time when the incumbent governor and some other state leaders would work to undermine it; both would emphasize better-paying jobs and affordable health care; both have strong concerns with state government's leap into privatization of essential services.
Both, in other words, would strongly contrast with Gov. Mitch Daniels.
So, like the presidential race, the Democratic gubernatorial primary may well be less about issues and more about leadership, experience and, frankly, ability to win in November.
On those counts, Long Thompson would be the better nominee.
Long Thompson has governmental management and leadership experience that would serve Hoosiers well in the governor's office plus the political savvy Democrats will need to wage a competitive campaign against a formidable Republican incumbent. Schellinger, a South Bend native who runs an Indianapolis architecture firm, is a first-time candidate.
A Whitley County native, Long Thompson, 55, represented northeast Indiana well in the House as the area's U.S. representative for three terms from 1989 to 1995. Perhaps more importantly, she has solid experience as a top government administrator, serving as U.S. undersecretary of agriculture in the Clinton administration for five years, overseeing 7,000 employees and a $10 billion budget. And, though many Hoosiers may have forgotten, she has experience in a statewide political campaign: In 1986, she ran - unsuccessfully - as the Democratic candidate against U.S. Sen. Dan Quayle. Two years later, she won his former congressional seat.
She rightly recognizes Hoosiers' struggles with economic concerns as a top issue for the governor to address, and she understands the roles health care, taxes and overall quality of life play in stimulating economic development. As she campaigns throughout the state, "The No. 1 issue people talk about is the economy and jobs, and tied very close to that is health care affordability," Long Thompson said. "The state needs very different leadership on the economy."
While Daniels will tout factories lured to the state, Long Thompson points out that the state lost 16,200 jobs in March, with the unemployment rate topping 5 percent. And Hoosiers' average wage is 90 percent of the national average.
Long Thompson would also be a good advocate for public schools. She is concerned that current state law uses standardized testing to punish schools rather than to help educate children. And she would make sure test scores are not used to evaluate teachers.
The former congresswoman, who now lives in Marshall County, rightly expresses concern about the Daniels administration's move to privatize a number of state functions, including operating the Indiana Toll Road and determining welfare eligibility. "The problem with privatization," she correctly notes, "is you have to write in a profit margin, and that results in a lower level of service."
A former Valparaiso City Council member, she understands the concerns facing Indiana local governments and would work to overhaul the state's tax structure.
For his part, Schellinger, 48, is knowledgeable about the issues and problems surrounding the recent property tax legislation.
"The governor helped significantly to create the problem," he said of last year's high property taxes. "It happened on his watch. He sat idly by."
Schellinger has developed in-depth plans in the areas of the economy, health care, education and government reform that are remarkably detailed, especially for a first-time candidate. Among his proposals is to adopt an "education first" budget that would essentially set an adequate budget for education before dealing with other spending issues.
Polls show the two candidates are in a statistical dead heat, so the vote of every Hoosier Democrat has potential to make a difference on May 6. Democrats are expected to turn out in record numbers with the opportunity to cast a vote for president that could actually influence the outcome. They should remember that their nominee for governor is also vastly important, and they should look into the campaign positions and experience of both Long Thompson and Schellinger.
The race will likely come down to leadership, experience and flat-out campaigning ability. Either would be a good candidate, but Long Thompson has the advantage
