April 14, 2011
04/15/11 The annual Marshall County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner held on Wednesday night gave Master of Ceremonies, Dean Colvin, an opportunity to thank those currently running for an elected office and acknowledge the many loyal Republicans who have led or supported the party in the past. Speaking to a large crowd assembled at Christo’s Banquet Hall, Colvin said, “One of the things about Republicans is the work that is done behind the scenes by the “foot soldiers”.
Colvin praised those that serve on Marshall County Precinct Committees. Their names were listed on the back of the programs for the event.
Introducing the candidates vying for offices in Plymouth was the Mayor Plymouth, Mark Senter. There is only one race on the Republican side of the ticket to be decided in the primary. In District 2, Bill Watson will face Don Ecker, Jr.
Colvin also read the names of Republican candidates throughout the county.
Among those taking a few minutes to address the audience was Richard Mourdock who is running for United States Sentate. Mourdock is currently the State Treasurer of Indiana.
Murdock said, “We (Republicans) are the party that believes in competition in the market place.”
Mark Hayes spoke on behalf of United States Senator Richard Lugar. Hayes, originally from Plymouth, spent over seven years working for Lugar in Washington D.C. and moved to the Indianapolis area last year to represent Lugar throughout the state. Hayes said of Lugar, “He is someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for. It never crossed my mind to not work for him.”
After coming only 270 votes short in the last November election in his bid for the Indiana House of Representatives, Frances Ellert, announced his intention to run in the future for the Indiana House for District 17.
Also narrowly being defeated in her bid for United States House of Representatives last fall, Jackie Walorski , vowed that she would run again. She declared her intention to put her name back on the ballot for another time for District 2. Walorski said, “It’s not about me. It’s about us.” She added, “We have to stand on what we know to be true.”
The speaker of the evening was Indiana Auditor Tim Berry. Berry said, “In Indiana we are doing things a little different than the rest of the country.”
Berry was elected auditor in November of 2006 and took office in January of 2007. During his tenure as Indiana Treasurer, Berry returned 12 percent of his budget appropriation back to the state’s general fund. At this point, Berry is also on track to return 12 percent back to the state from his 2010 budget.
Berry served two terms as Indiana’s treasurer.
Referring to himself as a “hockey dad”, Berry sounded more like a determined coach than a politician. He said, “We need to get a Republican back into the White House in 2012.” He ended his remarks saying, “Tonight is a rallying cry.” “Let’s go complete the job that we started and go get them in 2012.”
Carol Anders Correspondent