Activist announces run for Indiana governor

DANVILLE, Ind. -- Conservative activist Eric Miller says he will recruit an "army of volunteers" to help him in his underdog campaign for the Republican nomination for governor.\n"We live in a wonderful state, but we've got some serious problems," Miller said. "We've got to get Indiana moving in the right direction, and we've got to start now."\nMiller, an attorney from the western Indianapolis suburb of Avon, began his campaign in a Monday night speech to supporters at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds near his home. He also planned events this week in Fort Wayne, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Warsaw and Porter.\nMitch Daniels, a former Bush White House budget director, has the backing of much of the state's Republican leadership and is considered the party's leading candidate.\nMiller, however, has a network of support across the state as executive director of Advance America since 1980. He founded the group, which lobbies state government in support of what it calls pro-Christian issues, such as marriage protection and private and home schooling.\nHe has support from some prominent Republicans, including former Gov. Otis Bowen, who was twice elected governor in the 1970s and later was health and human services secretary under President Reagan.\n"Eric Miller has as much knowledge of state government as anyone I know," Bowen said in introducing Miller to the crowd. "He brings honesty and a common-sense approach to issues. Eric knows government cannot lead by straddling the fence or coming down on both sides of an issue."\nAddressing his underdog status, Miller recalled the success of Advance America, which he said started with a staff of 10 people and now has more than 500,000 members across the state.\nHe pledged to build the largest "grass-roots army of volunteers in the history of the governor's race."\nKeith Robinson, a supporter from Avon, liked Miller's proposals to lower taxes and reduce government spending.\n"I think he's got the right message," said Robinson, 43. "We need someone who knows the Legislature and can move the Legislature. Eric Miller can do just that."\nThree Republicans have dropped their gubernatorial campaigns and endorsed Daniels. They are 2000 GOP nominee David McIntosh and state Sens. Murray Clark of Indianapolis and Luke Kenley of Noblesville.\nPetersburg Mayor Randy Harris and Indianapolis businessman Bob Parker also have been seeking the Republican nomination.\nThose running for the Democratic nomination are state Sen. Vi Simpson of Ellettsville, former state and national party Chairman Joe Andrew, and Bloomington attorney Roy Graham. Both Simpson and Andrew have said they would back Gov. Joe Kernan if he decided to run.