Yes Virginia, Democracy is on the Ballot in Indiana:
Primary Elections, May 7, 2024
We are grateful to our subscribers who are helping us grow this movement of Indiana citizens concerned about the erosion of democratic norms, the continual drumbeat of extremism and the persistent undermining of our democratic institutions. New subscribers, welcome to the movement!
On September 21, 1897, an editorial appeared in the New York newspaper, The Sun. The editorial was a response to a letter submitted to the paper by eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon. The little girl was asking anyone at the paper to answer her question about the existence of Santa Claus. The piece was authored by Francis Pharcellus Church, but the editorial was uncredited until after Church’s death in 1906. The editorial has been hailed as great literature and often cited as an example of how poetry and prose fit nicely on an editorial page. It is the most reprinted editorial in the English language. Church tells his young reader that the world would be a dreary place if there was no Santa or no Virginias. He tells her that “Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.” It is truly worth reading and can be found here.
When read from the prism of 2024, the letter can seem nostalgic or irrelevant. It is true that the most beautiful and enduring aspects of our humanity are often unseeable. The quantum physicist Neils Bohr once wrote that “the opposite of an absolute truth may very well be another absolute truth.” With that understanding, it could also be said that deceitful and cunning motives are often unseen or unseeable—until the harm has been done.
Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Republican U. S. Representative from Wyoming, says that we are ‘sleeping walking into a dictatorship’. There are many obvious signs of this for those who can see them. For many others, the signs are less obvious if not ‘unseeable’.
There are MAGA politicians intoxicated with power and under the influence of former President Donald Trump who are undermining the basic principles of a free and democratic republic. Gas lighting, fear mongering and disinformation are their tools. Indiana has a few of these folks who are already elected in various positions across the state and are on the ballot in 2024. It’s important to see who they are beyond their veils of ‘conservatism, piety, faith and family values.’
Did You Know:
Indiana will hold its primary election Tuesday, May 7, 2024. By now, both candidates for President have been chosen, so this Indiana primary election will determine which state and local candidates will appear on the November ballot.
We are going to spotlight three candidates running in this election. We are spotlighting them because of their extreme stances concerning abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights and their tacit support of former President Donald Trump’s election promises of being a strongman and dictator. We are taking a ‘deep dive’ into gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun, senate candidate Jim Banks and fifth congressional district candidate Victoria Spartz.
For a comprehensive list of all candidates on the May 2024 ballot, click here.
A Brief Look at Mike Braun’s record:
Mike Braun did not make it to Washington D.C. on Sunday morning, March 23, 2024 to vote for the continuing resolution that kept us from a government shutdown. He was in Indiana at a fundraiser. He was aware that an important vote on that bill was likely to happen on Saturday evening. His fundraiser kept him from his duties as a U.S. Senator. He defended his calendar choices and said that he would have voted against it—thus assuring a government shutdown if the resolution had failed.
On March 31, 2024 seven juveniles were shot in downtown Indianapolis, some of whom were carrying guns. Indianapolis has suffered through the shooting deaths of several of our children and adults just over the past few months and Hoosiers have suffered through mass shootings and an epidemic of gun violence throughout the state. Senator Braun refuses to address the issue of gun safety legislation. He co-introduced a bill in 2023 with a few other members of the Freedom Caucus opposing President Biden’s desire to connect this epidemic of gun violence to public health and safety. The bill was titled Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Senator Braun continually makes the argument that protecting citizens against gun violence is antithesis to the Second Amendment. Indiana is an ‘open carry’ state and has some of the most relaxed standards for acquiring and handling guns and weapons of war. Mike Braun has not indicated in any way that as governor he would do anything to make our communities and schools safe from the terror of gun violence or mass shootings.
Mike Braun voted against the bi-partisan immigration bill that would have provided much needed improvement in the asylum seeking process that is causing a massive overflow of asylum seekers on both sides of the border. This bill would have also drastically reduced the flow of drugs coming across the border. The bill was drafted and supported by Senator James Lankford (R-OK), one the most conservative Republicans in the senate. Support for the bill was hijacked because former President Trump instructed the GOP not to support the bill because it would make President Biden look good prior to the election. Mike Braun complied.
In February, Mike Braun was questioned by Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business if Braun agrees with some of Trump’s latest egregious comments. He responded by saying, sometimes you just have to “go along with it” because Trump is the GOP candidate for President. If elected Governor of Indiana, will he ‘just go along’ with Trump’s pledge to impose a federal15-week abortion ban? Would he ‘just go along’ Trump’s promise to mobilize ICE agents and other law enforcement groups to deport millions of immigrants as soon as he is elected? Would he ‘just go along’ with Trump’s pledge to pardon those convicted of inciting an insurrection to overthrow the results of an election. Would he ‘just along with’ Trump’s promise to immediately invoke the Insurrection Act and use law enforcement to arrest protestors? Is this who we are as Hoosiers?
Mike Braun has introduced extreme legislation in the U.S. Senate, as boasted on his website in the Pro Life Update, 117th Congress. This update has a litany of extreme views concerning reproductive freedom and forced birth legislation. For brevity, we are spotlighting just two:
He introduced Senate Resolution 494 establishing a ‘Day of Tears’ to commemorate the abortions that have occurred post the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 that legalized abortions. He wants to see flags flown at half-staff every January 22.
He co-sponsored S 99, the Life at Conception bill that guarantees the right to life that is covered by the constitution to every stage of life, including conception. If passed, that bill jeopardizes Invitro Fertilization (IVF), contraception and could lead to criminalization of abortion. It would also be a gateway bill for lawmakers and physicians to question miscarriages as possible illegal abortions.
Every Hoosier needs to read the entire Pro Life Update 117th Congress and decide if his stance is what you want in a Governor.
Braun initially stated that he would not vote to certify the electors on January 6, 2020, but he ultimately changed his mind and did vote to certify the election. He has been a staunch supporter of Trump and Trumpism during his tenure as senator.
A Brief Look at Jim Banks:
Jim Banks did not vote to certify the election results on January 6, 2020. He called the January 6th Select Committee that investigated the events surrounding January 6th a ‘witch-hunt’.
Jim Banks boasted on his X account that he was joyful and celebrated the Dobbs decision that reversed the fifty-year constitutional right to abortion. He supported anti-abortion legislation in Indiana calling for a special summer session once the Dobbs decision was announced to quickly get an anti-abortion bill on the Indiana books.
Jim Banks is against gender affirming care for transgender children and is hostile to LGBTQ rights.
Jim Banks has authored dozens of bills opposing gun safety, is against student loan forgiveness and is one of the most extreme candidates in the House of Representatives. For a complete record of his views, click here.
A brief look at Victoria Spartz:
Victoria Spartz was elected to Congress in 2020. That election was expensive and hard won, however she was easily re-elected in 2022 after the 5th district was gerrymandered to make the district more GOP friendly. She has a strong record of anti-abortion legislation and receives a 100% rating from the National Pro-Life Scorecard. She opposes gender-affirming care and has been known to bully and be hostile to LGBTQ staffers. A year ago she stated that she would not seek re-election so that she could spend more time with her family. She unexpectedly reversed her decision in February 2024. She is Ukrainian born and states that she grew up under tyranny (where there is no rule of law) yet insists that the investigation of the January 6th insurrection is a weaponization of the legal system. She compares the FBI to the KGB and insists that Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton should be investigated, not Donald Trump. This is an example of gaslighting and spreading disinformation. There is significant evidence that the accusations against Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton were initiated from Russian intelligence officials working to influence the 2020, 2022 and 2024 elections. Representative Spartz continues to spread those false accusations and is doing so as an elected official.
Why It Matters:
Currently, Indiana is a state that is ruled by ‘minority rule’ because of our extremely gerrymandered districts, voter suppression and low voter turnout. These and other factors have produced a GOP supermajority in our statehouse. The three candidates spotlighted hold positions that are counter to a majority of Hoosiers. Support of abortion access is well above 60% by most voters. Over 60% of voters support LGBTQ+ rights and gender affirming care for our transgender children. Ninety percent (90%) of Americans support birth control, and over 70% support some form of gun safety. These are national percentages, but we are not that much different than the rest of the country on these issues. Mike Braun is only getting about 33% of the GOP vote in recent polls. The same poll also reported that there are as many as 43% of undecided Republican voters relative to Braun’s candidacy. There are five other GOP candidates running against him in the primary. We must choose wisely. If Jim Banks and Victoria Spartz are victorious in the primary, they will face non-extremist candidates in the fall. Stay tuned!
For some of our readers, calling out extreme politicians and candidates may seem ‘partisan’ or that we are supporting one particular party over another. The dilemma here is that our beloved democracy is being attacked from within by elected officials and politicians. There is one party who has a significant percentage of election deniers and conspiracy theory promoters within their ranks. Poll workers, judges, Secretaries of States, and other innocent citizens are receiving death threats when they attempt to uphold the law or affirm that the 2020 election was safe and legitimate. This is unlike any other moment we have seen in our lifetime. Democracy is not a partisan issue. Voters need to know clearly if they are voting for a candidate who supports basic democratic norms and the values of a pluralistic democracy or for a candidate who is leaning toward authoritarianism and extremist views. The good news is that most authoritarian leaning candidates are saying the quiet part out loud—if you are paying attention. Democracy is on the ballot. Vote wisely!
What You Can Do:
Just before the 19th amendment was passed giving women the right to vote (no Virgina, women did not have the right to vote when you wrote your letter to The Sun), Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and founder of the League of Women Voters, said that ‘democracy is not a spectator sport’. Each one of us, as citizens in this democracy, have a responsibility to be informed and support our franchise. Healthy democracies demand no less. No effort is too small and every effort makes a difference. Here are a few suggestions for what you can do.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is publishing a series of Q & A articles with gubernatorial candidates on the Primary ballot. They ‘fact check’ some of the misinformation that the candidates write in their written responses. It is great investigative, unbiased journalism that is not afraid to refute and rebut dubious claims. Take a look at the education, economy and taxes Q & A’s segments. You can subscribe for free at the Indiana Capital Chronicle. You will go to the polls more informed and more confident.
Subscribe to the Starts With Us newsletter. This too is a newsletter about being part of a citizen movement; their cause is to support everyday citizens to move beyond the toxic polarization of the current political landscape. They have resources to help build the “3 C’s” of their moment, compassion, curiosity and courage. Governor Holcomb and Clint Lamb, Democrat mayor of Sullivan, were featured in a recent post on How To Disagree Better. Good advice from two of our current leaders. It will make you smile!
Read Liz Cheney’s memoir Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning. It’s compelling. Invite others to join you as an ‘ad hoc’ book group. Remember the 3 c’s of moving beyond partisan divisiveness when discussing themes in the book; compassion, curiosity and courage.
Check out The Indivisible Organization and see if there is a group near you. They too are a pro-democracy, anti-extremism movement that has an amazing track record of grassroots organizing.
Make a plan to vote on May 7th. Indiana is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to cross party lines. For example, if in the gubernatorial race, there is a candidate running for office not connected to your affiliated party but who is less extreme than others on the ballot, you can cast a vote for that person in an effort to get a less extreme candidate on the general election ballot. You would just need to request a ballot from that candidates’ party. ReCenter Indiana has more information about open primaries and key races to watch. Check your voter registration status to be sure you are on the voter roll.
Check out the League of Women Voters Vote 411 guide to voting. It is chocked full of information you will need to be ready for the elections.
Subscribe to the historian Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters From An American. She will make you the smartest kid on the block when it comes to current events.
Please forward this newsletter to friends, families, frenemies and community organizations that you are involved with. It is important to reach across race, place and party on your invitation list. Encourage folks to subscribe.
Hearts and minds are changed through community, connection and authentic conversations. Help us grow this movement as we prepare for the election of our lifetime.
Yours in democracy,
Debbie, Barbara and Rachel
Notes:
For more information about Mike Braun’s comment to Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business see https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2024/03/05/you-gotta-go-along-with-it-now-defines-brauns-character/
For more information about recent polls concerning Indiana’s gubernatorial race see https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/new-poll-reveals-mike-braun-leads-in-republican-primary-for-indiana-governors-race/
For more information about Jim Banks comments concerning his stance on gender affirming care see https://www.953mnc.com/2023/07/25/banks-defends-push-to-block-abortion-gender-affirming-care-in-ndaa/
For more information about Victoria Spartz’s record and comments see https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/05/10/victoria-spartz-bullying/ and https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/09/20/congresswoman-victoria-spartz-criticizes-merrick-garland-house-hearing-weaponized-justice-system/70913747007/
For more information about the bi-partisan border bill see https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/07/senate-border-security-vote/
For more information about how the Indiana delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to certify the 2020 election results see https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indianas-us-senators-split-on-electoral-college-results-delegation-reacts-to-violence
For more information about the suspected links to Russia concerning accusations against Hunter Biden see https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/former-us-spies-warned-2020-hunter-biden-scandal-russian-fingerprints-rcna140240