Daniels announces running mate

With the gubernational election only five months away, the governor's race is winding down, and Republican candidate Mitch Daniels and incumbent Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan are putting the finishing touches on their respective campaigns. \nDaniels announced yesterday that he would appoint State Senator Becky Skillman as his choice for lieutenant governor and Pat Miller as Secretary of Commerce.\nSkillman, a Republican from Indianapolis, has been a member of the State Senate since 1992. Prior to her Senate work, she was involved in Lawrence County local government where she was clerk for seven years and then recorder. Skillman also attended IU and Indiana Wesleyan University, according to her Web site.\nDaniels said in his announcement that Skillman's accomplishments made her the best person for the job. \n"Becky Skillman is the best possible choice for the constitutional post of Lieutenant Governor," Daniels said. "She brings experience in the General Assembly, whose cooperation we will need to effect real change. She brings a wealth of knowledge about local government and its pivotal role. She knows the small cities and towns that have been ignored by this administration and which must no longer be forgotten but must be included fully in Indiana's comeback."\nDaniels also went on to say that with Skillman as the next Lieutenant Governor, Indiana will be able to move forward in the right direction and help boost businesses in Indiana. \n"I intend for Lt. Governor Skillman, as President of the Senate, to be the leader of our annual program in the General Assembly, starting with the passage of the economic growth package that we will send to the legislature next January," Daniels said. "She will also spearhead key elements of the economic development agenda: tourism, agriculture, community and rural development."\nMiller was similarly chosen based on her business credentials, which Daniels feels will help get Indiana back on track. Miller is the co-president and co-founder of Vera Bradley, a line of handbags distributed out of Ft. Wayne. Daniels said that Miller's expertise and knowledge -- and the fact that she isn't a politician -- will help generate new capital in Indiana. \n"Pat Miller is one of the great business success stories in our state," Daniels said. "With $500 and a dream, she and her best friend created a company known nationwide. She understands business issues from the business side of the table. She's no staff person. She's no bureaucrat."\nDaniels said Indiana cannot be represented well by someone unfamiliar with fiscal and economic issues. \n"She can help me sell Indiana to business leaders across the country and around the world," he said. "She can help existing companies to grow and inspire the formation of more new ventures. She can run a large organization. She can help us get all of state government aligned so that growing the Indiana economy is job number one for every single person in our administration."\nEllen Whitt, press secretary for Daniels, agreed that Miller's business experience made her a good choice. \n"Pat Miller is a success story," Whitt said. "Her company started 20 years ago and she and her buddy started a bag company that is now internationally recognized. Together, Skillman and Miller are a pretty impressive team."\nDaniels said that his choices only help to make his campaign stronger and help create economic success.\n"In our administration, Indiana state government will cease being a problem and start being a partner in economic growth," Daniels said. "I speak everywhere about the need for our state to aim higher. The selection of these two outstanding Hoosiers should demonstrate how much higher I plan to aim."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.