ForImmediate Release: May 14, 2008
LONG THOMPSON, PARTY LEADERS CALL FOR CHANGE IN INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS,Ind. - In another sign of the growing solidarity of the Democratic Party, todaystate and local party leaders joined gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompsonin calling for real change in Indiana.
Ina news conference at the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday, Indiana House SpeakerB. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend), Senate Democrat Leader Richard Young(D-Milltown), State Party Chair Dan Parker and several other state legislators,Marion County elected officials and party leaders pledged their support to LongThompson's candidacy.
"Afterfour years of the misguided policies of the Daniels administration, Hoosierswant new leadership and a new direction for our state - and with Jill leadingthe ticket that's what Democrats will bring this fall," said Bauer, who spokeon behalf of the members of the House Democratic Caucus.
"Ourparty is energized like never before and we are ready to do everything we canto help elect Jill Long Thompson Governor and get Indiana moving again."
Aformer college professor, city councilwoman, Congresswoman and Under Secretaryfor Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture, LongThompson is the first woman in the state's history to secure thegubernatorial nomination of eitherpolitical party.
"Weare thrilled to have Jill Long Thompson as the standard bearer of our partybecause we know that she will stand up and fight for the working people of thisstate," said Young, who represented hiscolleagues in the State Senate Democratic Caucus. "Jill has the right kind of experience andvision to put Indiana back on track."
LongThompson will continue to travel the state in the coming days meeting withparty leaders and organizing her statewide campaign.
"Iam honored to have secured the nomination of this party and to have the fullbacking of its leadership," said Long Thompson. "Indiana Democrats have anhistoric opportunity this fall to not only expand our party and win races upand down the ballot, but to chart a new course for Indiana - and by workingtogether that's what we will do."
LongThompson represented Northeast Indiana in the U.S. House of Representativesserving from 1989 to 1995. She also served as U.S. Under Secretary ofAgriculture for Rural Development from 1995 to 2001. She received her B.S. inBusiness from Valparaiso University and her M.B.A. and Ph.D. in Business from IndianaUniversity. A former educator, Long Thompson most recently served as CEO of TheNational Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. Long Thompson and her husbandDon Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, live on their family farm in MarshallCounty.
Formore information about Jill Long Thompson or her campaign, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com or call 574-892-6100.
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