Trick or treating, politics style • Indiana Capital Chronicle

I have been admiring the Halloween decorations in people’s yards and the costumes Hoosiers are posting on socials. I guess I missed the dressing-up gene, but I did love trick-or-treating when I was young.

My family and I live in a rural area and we don’t get any kids ringing the bell. So, I thought I’d come up with my own trick or treat this year — election style.

Trick or treat!

Trick

— Indiana had an open U.S. Senate seat and it was decided before it really began. That’s a bit of sorcery for sure. Third District Republican Congressman Jim Banks jumped in the race for Braun’s open seat early and never looked back. His close relationship with Club for Growth resulted in a devastating hit against former GOP governor Mitch Daniels, who decided to pass up a primary bid. And Indiana’s two-primary rule knocked another candidate off the ballot. So, Banks has been on cruise control. He’s been up double digits in every poll taken this year and even skipped the one statewide debate held for this race.

Treat

— A substantive governor’s race has been a welcome surprise. Both major-party campaigns have put out proposals on a host of topics, from property taxes and marijuana to education and health care. I applaud them for not taking the easy way out with red meat to both their bases. Property taxes, for instance, are complicated and initiatives are hard to explain to voters. Same with health care costs and education. All three candidates have been open and available to talk about issues, participated in multiple debates and largely stayed above the fray.

Trick

— U.S. Sen. Mike Braun had the biggest trick this year when he put out an ad that had been photoshopped, and without the required legal disclaimer. Even after he added the disclaimer it became clear the ad was problematic. It changed the signs supporters were holding at opponent Jennifer McCormick’s rally from “McCormick” to “No Gas Stoves” signs. The Braun campaign later pivoted again, to the original signs — but the ad ran for weeks, saying McCormick wanted to ban gas stoves when she had said no such thing.

Treat

— An engaged electorate. On one hand, seeing reports of long lines while early voting is frustrating. Some counties apparently didn’t plan properly by increasing the number of polling locations and machines. But I’ll take long lines over no lines. That means voters are engaged and want to make their voice heard. Now, venomous rhetoric from voters is sometimes too much. But they are doing their civic duty, and I thank them.

Trick

— Micah Beckwith pulled off a first when he defeated the GOP nominee’s choice for his running mate at the summer state convention. Instead of safe Rep. Julie McGuire, the more conservative-leaning delegates selected self-proclaimed Christian nationalist Beckwith as the nominee for lieutenant governor. He had been campaigning for the position for a year. After his shocking win, a well-known GOP lawyer sent a memo saying Beckwith could be a vulnerability for Braun. And as that race has tightened, he’s repeatedly become a distraction for the Braun campaign.

And one last treat

— Gov. Eric Holcomb dressed up as Abraham Lincoln last night for Halloween and it was pretty perfect. He is definitely tall enough to pull off the former president. First Lady Janet Holcomb joined in as Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. The theme this year was characters representing historic figures that represent Indiana.