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Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Ind. Gov't. - Senate leader ousted [Updated]

"Senate leader ousted" is the headline to a story in the Indianapolis Star today by Michele McNeil. Some quotes:

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, one of the most powerful men in the state, has lost the seat he's held for 36 years.

On Tuesday, Columbus accountant Greg Walker, in his first run for public office, upset the longest-serving leader in the Statehouse. * * *

"Senator Garton is one of the longest-serving leaders in the country, and he has used that experience to the benefit of all Hoosiers," said House Speaker Brian C. Bosma, R-Indianapolis. "But in a low-turnout primary, the electorate can really change direction when there's only 15 to 20 percent voting."

Star political columnist Matthew Tully concludes, in a column headlined "Before Garton lost, he lost touch with voters,":
But what weakened him most was his handling of the Senate's lifetime health-care benefit. While House Speaker Brian Bosma killed the benefit in the House, Garton stood by it.

Rarely has a perk inspired more public anger. The perk came to signify much of what is wrong with the Statehouse.

And Garton was the perk's poster child. He wore it like a Scarlet L on his chest.

So he ran ads that sought to convince voters he was just Bob, an average guy looking out for his people.

That message was a loser.

Garton made clear months ago, when he dug in on the health-care issue, that his people were the men and women who sat around him in the Senate's leather chairs.

He won't be sitting in his chair much longer. But at least he still has his lifetime health-care benefit.

[Updated 5/4/06] The Indianapolis Star today has an editorial titled "Out of touch, out of office." A quote: "Garton, especially in his final years, appeared increasingly out of touch with the public and the changing political climate. He slipped into an arrogance that often befalls political leaders after many years in office."

Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 3, 2006 07:25 AM
Posted to Indiana Government | Legislative Benefits