State groups make 2004 endorsements

With everybody from the AFL-CIO to the Indiana Smallmouth Bass Club picking sides in this year's gubernatorial election, political endorsements could make an impact on November's election.\nThe groups that are supporting each candidate reflect the type of image the candidates are presenting in their campaigns. \nRepublican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels is backed by conservative groups, such as Indiana Right to Life, agricultural groups, such as Indiana Farm Bureau, and small business organizations, such as the National Federation of Independent Business. \nDemocratic Gov. Joe Kernan seems to be the favorite of labor, since he has endorsements from several Indiana unions including the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and United Auto Workers.\nWhether or not all of the members will follow their group's endorsement come Nov. 2 is yet to be seen, but the support does have its benefits in the campaigns.\nMark Lotter, Daniels' press secretary, said his campaign is thrilled whenever Daniels receives endorsements because it shows his support is growing. The Indiana National Federation of Independent Business' endorsement has meant added help finding business settings for news conferences. Indiana Farm Bureau has also lent a helping hand by finding land for Daniels' campaign signs.\nLotter said the support helps reinforce the themes Daniels has emphasized on the trail.\n"The big thing about Daniels' campaign is reaching out to all counties of Indiana," he said. "He's been traveling in his RV, and he's been talking to local businessmen. And so we're glad that these small businessmen have accepted our support and decided to support us as well."\nTina Noel, Kernan's press secretary, said they are pleased with their endorsements because they continue the relationships Kernan has tried to build as governor.\n"Teachers, policemen, everyday workers: these are the people we want to reach out to," Noel said.\nThe endorsements that really gain media attention are the ones that surprise. Lotter admitted that Indiana Right to Life generally supports Republican candidates but pointed to some unexpected support for Daniels. Prominent Democrat Bill Mays, president of Mays Chemical and owner of the Indianapolis Recorder, the largest African-American newspaper in Indiana, decided to endorse Daniels.\nLotter also noted that several local sections of unions decided to break from their statewide counterparts and endorse a different candidate. Local unions of the AFSCME, International Union of Operating Engineers and Indiana Fraternal Order of Police all broke from their statewide unions to endorse Daniels over Kernan.\nThere are different processes that groups take when deciding to endorse a particular candidate. Sometimes the decision is made at the top, but most of the time representatives vote on who to support.\nKen Zeller, the president of AFL-CIO, Indiana's largest labor union, said that all of his chapters submitted their votes and the general consensus was to back Kernan.\n"We stand behind governor Kernan because of his stance on family and labor issues," he said. "He's been a good friend to Indiana."\nIndiana Farm Bureau uses their political action group to help with the governor's campaign. Farm Bureau leaders from each county sent their vote to the PAG, and Daniels garnered overwhelming support.\n"I think there were several issues that appealed to our members, such as Daniels' stance on property taxes," said Pete Hanebutt, political educator for Farm Bureau. "He's just who our group thought was the best candidate."\nBut for those outside of the two-party system, gaining endorsements can be tough. Although no group has officially endorsed Libertarian candidate Ken Gividen in the governor's race, an anti-Indiana 69 group called COUNT US! has lent him its support. \nGividen's campaign manager Aaron Milewski said the lack of endorsements isn't going to hurt the race since he thinks their base is strong. However, he did say that it's frustrating that most groups won't go out on a limb with a third-party candidate.\n"I think most groups want to back a clear winner in the election, even if it doesn't truly fit their ideals," Milewski said. "They want to have a friend in the governor's office."\n-- Contact Weekend editor Adam Aasen at aaasen@indiana.edu.