Muncie Democrats and GOP loyals got a front row seat Saturday night to what this year's state election will hold.
John Gregg, Eric Holcomb, Todd Young and Evan Bayh all made a stop in Muncie over the weekend. The Democratic candidates spoke at the Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner Banquet.
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate John Gregg spoke on issues like education, civil rights and infrastructure, encouraging Muncie residents to not blame their local government for bad roads.
"Do not blame this mayor," Gregg says. "Do not blame this city council. Don't blame your local officials for the roads. Blame the Republican opponent I've got for the roads who doesn't want to do anything but just run around the state and do nothing about our road system."
Evan Bayh, the Democratic senatorial candidate, took to his attackers, such as his opponent and the Koch Brothers, and gave his view of why they've said the things they've said.
"These are the acts of desperate people who don't stand for a doggone thing," Bayh says. "They know the only way they can try and win this election is not on the basis of their ideas or what they're going to do for you or the good people of Delaware County because they've got no ideas for the people of Delaware County."
Meanwhile, Republican candidates addressed their supporters at the Delaware County Lincoln Day Dinner. Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb was sure to point out the importance of this election.
"This election in the next 51 days is going to determine, in large part, probably the next five plus years of the state, what direction we will go in," Holcomb says. "I don't want to go back. I don't want to go back to the days of debt and dysfunction, and that's the contrast, and that's the choice voters will make: go back or go forward. I want to lead us onward and upward."
Congressman Todd Young, the GOP senatorial candidate, summed up what he wanted Muncie voters to know about his plans for the future.
"We'll continue to carry our message of common sense conservative leadership, ensuring that every Hoosier has access to a quality education, good paying job that leads to a quality career in places like Muncie, Indiana," Young says.
Both dinners also featured speeches from candidates for attorney general. In the state superintendent race, Glenda Ritz spoke to Delaware County Democrats. GOP nominee and Muncie resident Jennifer McCormick cancelled her scheduled appearance at the last minute, but was endorsed by a speaker at Saturday evening's dinner.
