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State Democrat candidates visit for local meet-and-greet
Highlighted by a visit from U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Valerie McCray, a Sunday meet-and-greet event gave local voters the chance to interact with state- and regional-level Democratic candidates.
The Democratic Party of Putnam County, in conjunction with the College Democrats of DePauw University, hosted the event at the Inn at DePauw on Sunday, Sept. 29. More than 80 people were in attendance to hear from candidates McCray (U.S. Senate), Veronica Pejril (State Senate District 24) and Derrick Holder (U.S. House District 4).
Former state representative David Crooks also attended to represent Jennifer McCormick, Democratic candidate for governor.
Vincent Aguirre, city councilor and Putnam County Democrats chairman, opened with the declaration, “We want leaders who lead with love, who serve others before self and who defend and uplift the vulnerable.”
It was important, Aguirre said, that candidates meet citizens where they are, as the heart of this country is not in the halls of D.C. or in the Statehouse but in “rooms like this where people care deeply about their neighbors and their children and their communities.”
Pejril, candidate for the State Senate and former member of the Greencastle City Council, spoke about the values for which she stands, which she said used to be considered conservative values — namely, that “small government that stays out of our bedrooms and stays out of our doctor’s offices.”
Pejril also advocated for common-sense gun laws and for public schools, insisting that the state hold voucher-funded private schools to the same standards as public schools.
McCray, candidate for U.S. Senate, remarked on her own connections to Greencastle, where her son graduated from DePauw. She spoke of her work as a clinical psychologist working with prisoners and veterans with PTSD. She explained that her experience told her that proper intervention can be effective even in cases of trauma, and this led her to think about what might be possible with better leadership in Washington, where she hopes to “affect changes in poverty levels and education levels, pay levels and health and mental health levels.”
McCray called for a rise in the minimum wage, and in wages more generally, to keep up with the rising costs of education and health care.
“We are not as healthy as we could be in America,” McCray said.
She said she is also very concerned about the “slippery slope” of attacks on women’s rights ranging from the right to choose, birth control and access to IVF, which discouraged medical professionals from practicing in Indiana.
As a psychologist, McCray said she wants to go to Washington to put a “mental health lens on everything we do,” taking a careful look at how our policies can affect our spirits and hearts.
Holder, candidate for the U.S. House, was making his fourth visit to Greencastle. He described growing up in Indianapolis and serving as a Marine, including a deployment to Kosovo.
As a gun owner, he also advocates common-sense gun laws. He spoke about improving security at the southern border in a way that shows dignity and respect.
Noting that corporate CEOS have been making more money than ever, Holder said more effort is needed to improve incomes of working people, including stronger protections for workers, higher minimum wage, affordable health care and paid family leave.
“I believe in the power of the people, and that together we can create the change we so desperately need,” Holder said, “and I will fight for you, our families and for our future.”
Crooks spoke on behalf of McCormick, candidate for governor of Indiana. He noted that McCormick is a fourth-generation Hoosier, and former Republican superintendent of public instruction.
Though McCormick has switched parties, Crooks said her values have remained the same, especially her focus on quality public education. We should not, he said, be spending more public money for private schools.
“If you want to play in a private country club,” Crooks said by way of example, “go play at a private country club, but I think you should pay for that yourself, not the taxpayers of Indiana.”
Like McCray, Crooks also expressed concern about the threat to the quality of medical care in Indiana resulting from restrictions on women’s health care. Even if you want to vote for Donald Trump, Crooks said, you should vote for McCormick because she will serve the best interests of the state in education, women’s rights and health care.
Aguirre closed by urging Democrats to make their presence known, emphasizing that when they do, they offer real options and a sense of comfort to those who support the values and work of the local Democratic party.