Jennifer McCormick Lays Out Commonsense Plan for Change in Indiana During First Debate

INDIANAPOLIS – During Wednesday’s first Indiana Governor’s Debate on FOX 59/CBS 4, Jennifer McCormick laid out a clear, commonsense vision for the future of Indiana.

“Jennifer McCormick has the clear, commonsense vision to put Indiana back on the right track after 20 years of one-party rule, and that was on full display during Wednesday night’s gubernatorial debate,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. “Jennifer laid out her plans to restore reproductive freedom, repair Hoosier roads, fully fund public schools, and legalize cannabis like every one of our neighboring states.”

“Braun refused to take responsibility for his falsified, digitally-altered ad still running on television across Indiana or stand up to the dangerous ideas and extremism being pushed by his Christian nationalist running mate, Micah Beckwith. This includes Beckwith’s accusation that his opponents are “Jezebel spirits”, which Braun repeatedly refused to address or apologize for.

“One-party control has left our state government unaccountable, wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, and cost thousands of disabled Hoosiers their care benefits. Enough is enough. It’s time for change, and that’s what Jennifer McCormick and Terry Goodin will bring from day one.”

Hoosiers need change at the Statehouse, and Jennifer McCormick presented her plans on education, reproductive freedom, legalizing cannabis, and growing high-wage jobs for Hoosiers.

“For over a year, I’ve been traveling Indiana, visiting all ninety-two counties, and talking to Hoosiers about our commonsense plans to restore balance to Indiana government,” McCormick said in a press release. “Tonight, Hoosiers saw the stark contrast between Mike Braun and Micah Beckwith’s out-of-touch extremism and our commonsense plans for helping all Hoosier families.”

After twenty years of one-party control, we need to put Indiana on the right track. In rankings across the board, Indiana is near the bottom for quality of life, wages, healthcare, and education. See the rankings for yourself:

• Indiana ranks 40th in overall health, 47th in public health funding, has the 13th worst physician-to-provider ratio, 43rd in mental health care, and is the 2nd most depressed state in America.
• Nearly 60 percent of Hoosiers believe abortion should be legal in “all or most cases” according to the 2023 Hoosier Survey by Ball State. Despite this, Indiana Republicans passed the first abortion ban in the US after the Dobbs decision.
• Indiana is the 3rd worst state for maternal mortality and has the 8th highest infant mortality rate. 
• Indiana ranks 46th for education, 39th in teacher salary, has the country’s worst student-to-counselor ratio, and 40th in retaining college graduates in Indiana.
• This is the 2nd worst state for quality of life, 7th worst state to live in, and the 34th worst state for veterans.
• Ranked 46th in turnout for the 2020 Presidential Election, 50th in 2022 midterm turnout, and 40th in voter registration.
• Hoosiers pay the 3rd highest costs for fuel and gas, the 12th highest electric bills nationally, and Indiana is 43rd in overall utility performance.
• Indiana has the country’s worst rated natural environment, is the worst-rated for pollution, and is 14th in most lead pipes nationally.