September 26, 2011
09/27/11 The annual Jefferson Jackson Democratic Dinner held on Sunday night featured three speakers. Speaking at the event were Brendan Mullen, 2nd Congressional District Democratic Candidate for US House of Representatives; Nancy Dembowski, currently serving in the Indiana State House of Representatives; and Pete Buttigieg, Democratic candidate for Mayor of South Bend.
Mullen said, “What is needed is family, fellowship, hard work and service.” Speaking of the way in which the leaders at the national level are working, Mullen said, “I demand that they put the country first.” He added, “This is above party politics.”
Mullen is a South Bend native and John Adams High School alumnus. After graduating from West Point, he went on to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Following his military service, Mullen launched a small business that grew to employ more than 100 staff. Mullen has said, “I served in the U.S. Army because I believe in the freedom, promise, and greatness of our nation and I started a small business to create good jobs here where they belong. I have decided to run for U.S. Congress to give Indiana a strong, independent voice and to get our economy back on track.”
Dembowski referred to the five weeks in which she and fellow Democrats left the state rather than vote for legislation they were opposed to. Dembowski said, “At some point in time, you have to do what is right.” She said, “It cost me $3, 100, but that’s not the important thing.” Dembowski promised to keep working for those that she represents during the year she has left in the House.
Buttigieg made it clear he knew that voters in Marshall County could not vote for him, but said he wanted to thank the people of Marshall County for thinking of the entire region.
Buttigieg finished at the top of his class at St. Joseph’s High School and went on to graduate from Harvard University. He was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to study economics at Oxford University. He captured 55 percent of the vote in the May 2011 mayoral primary to become the Democratic nominee for mayor.
Candidates for Plymouth city offices were introduced by Jim Vinall. Vinall himself is running for mayor. Among those at the event were four candidates for City Council.: Jeff Houin, District 1; Shiloh Fonseca, District 3; Ryan Ripley, District 4, and Matt Miller, At-Large. Tony Gamble was unable to attend the dinner, but is a candidate for City Council, District 2.
Vinall told the audience that there will be several announcements made in the upcoming week concerning the Democratic Party election views.