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Though the presidential election is the star of the show tomorrow, it is essential for Hoosiers to understand the importance of their state’s leader — the governor.
This year, the position is up for re-election, with the Democratic candidate being Jennifer McCormick, the former state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Her main opponent is Republican Mike Braun, who is currently one of Indiana’s U.S. senators. The libertarian nominee is Donald Rainwater.
No matter who ends up elected president, McCormick will be a step in the right direction for Indiana if she is chosen as governor.
In a post-Roe v. Wade era, it is important now more than ever to have politicians at the state level who are committed to protecting reproductive healthcare rights and access. McCormick will do that. Braun will not.
Beyond the moral arguments of when life begins and the idea that abortion bans are protecting the unborn, it is a fact that maternal mortality rates are higher in states with more abortion restrictions, and women, especially those suffering pregnancy complications, have been dying and facing health crises without access to proper reproductive health care.
Let’s make Indiana a state where women are not terrified of miscarrying and being restricted from receiving the care they deserve. Let’s make Indiana a state where access to contraceptives and sex education is not threatened. Let’s make Indiana a state where women can access lifesaving and critical health care no matter their circumstances, and doctors are not fearful of fines, imprisonment and other punishments for providing that care.
Beyond reproductive rights, the two candidates have different visions concerning childhood education. McCormick, a former teacher, positions herself as a proponent of public education. This includes supporting universally available preschool programs, a minimum teacher salary of $60,000 and pausing the expansion of school privatization efforts.
Braun, on the other hand, supports school choice vouchers and the idea of protecting “parental rights.” This would include direct notification to parents if a child requests a name or pronoun change inconsistent with their biological sex. Additionally, he pledges to help “parents to shield their children from divisive ideologies,” which has long been a dog whistle for removing sex education and history concerning slavery and other ugly truths of America’s past and present from school curricula.
Braun also commits to securing the Southern border, presumably referring to that of the country as a whole — which is slightly confusing given that Evansville, Indiana, is an over 20-hour drive from the U.S.-Mexico border. Beyond his Southern border rhetoric, which seems slightly odd for a Hoosier gubernatorial candidate to concern himself with, Braun promises to tackle illegal immigration specifically affecting Indiana, writing on his website that he will “provide the support necessary to communities struggling with illegal immigration by ensuring Indiana has no sanctuary policies.”
Braun’s policy plans concerning illegal immigration perpetuate the myth that undocumented immigrants are a significant problem for the country and states like Indiana, bringing nothing but danger, drugs and crime, all while stealing our jobs.
In reality, undocumented immigrants commit significantly less violent and non-violent crime than U.S. citizens. Additionally, it is untrue that undocumented immigrants are the reason behind major drug smuggling in the U.S. — the culprit there would be American citizens.
We should vote for a governor who understands these simple facts and aims to create a safe and welcoming state for all those who want to build their lives here without fear mongering.
Beyond these policy differences, Mike Braun has supported claims that the 2020 election was illegitimate, and that the government should pour its resources into investigating alleged voter fraud, despite an overwhelming lack of evidence. His support of voter fraud claims helped to undermine public trust in government without reason, directly contributing to the Jan. 6 attack on the capitol.
Though many Republicans likely favor ideas and policies such as lowering taxes, rolling back social services and protecting the right to bear arms that are typically at odds with Democratic platforms, McCormick has explicit plans to increase tax deductions for groups like veterans and the elderly, as well as homeowners and renters. She also supports protecting 2nd amendment rights, while outlining sensible restrictions on gun ownership by implementing background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of violent offenders.
She additionally outlines clear goals to support rural areas of Indiana, which face unique problems with poverty and access to healthcare.
Republican or Democrat, if you want to see an Indiana that is stronger and safer for all Hoosiers, you should cast your vote for Jennifer McCormick.
Leila Faraday (she/her) is a junior studying policy analysis with minors in geography and urban planning.
