Latest news with #Tallian
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana needs normal people to get political
The two major political parties have new leaders in Indiana, Lana Keesling on the Republican side and Karen Tallian for Democrats. If you don't know who they are or care about political party org charts, that's great. Because what the parties really need is you. Political parties are insular by nature and leadership battles are inside baseball. The race for Indiana Democratic Party chair was especially contentious, as Tallian defeated two-time statewide candidate Destiny Wells. Tallian succeeds Mike Schmuhl, inheriting longstanding factional battles between Democrats who held slices of power back when Evan Bayh was winning statewide and people who have no idea what it feels like to win. The loudest voices keep pushing Democrats left toward a nonexistent statewide base of progressive voters. Tallian, a 74-year-old former state senator, represents the party's old guard, reliant on unions and working-class voters who, incidentally, have been flocking to Republicans. Briggs: The Braun-Beckwith plan to abolish Carmel While Republicans are mocking Democrats' ineptitude, they should remember they're feckless by choice. The sitting governor couldn't choose his own running mate and now has to stump at a property tax rally to avoid being outshone by his lieutenant governor. Meanwhile, Republicans all know their delinquent secretary of state is running a grift, yet they accommodate it out of tribal loyalty. That's all because the most committed Republican insiders assemble at state conventions every couple years and choose candidates for offices, including secretary of state and lieutenant governor, based on who is best at trolling and attracting attention without regard for job qualifications. The state of politics in Indiana is sad and pathetic. Insiders have incentive to keep it that way because they steep their identities in having seats at the tables, where they get to help make big, important-feeling decisions in private silos. The system is working for them. I don't think parties set out to lose touch. But the party structures offer tantalizing tastes of power to many, creating big, exclusive social clubs. Below the state chairs, political parties have central state committees, precinct committee members and county and district chairs, in addition to all the elected offices that party members either hold or hope to hold some day. There are many, many jobs. While I've offered a cynical view of parties so far, I want to make the case for getting involved. The most common question I've received from readers in recent weeks is some version of: "What can I do?" Many people feel anxious over current events and want to do something, but don't know where to start. If that's you, then you might be the right person to help bring sanity to politics. Indiana's political parties are going through resets, with long runways until the next major elections. There's room for new voices. No one person is going to show up and change the dynamics. But you can start volunteering with a county political party (it's best to start local), identify candidates you can support and help them get elected in future cycles. Over time, you can build relationships with the insiders and press for the kinds of changes you want to see. Eventually, you might be able to work your way into one of the many positions I mentioned above, which offer some influence (as well as pressure to assimilate). Change is a tedious, laborious project, but you can start today at the bottom floor by contacting a local party leader and saying you want to get involved. They almost certainly won't turn you down. They need your labor and you, a normal person anchored in the real world, need the party to broaden its perspective. I realize this message might appeal more to people on the left, who are hungry for change, but I'm talking to Republicans, too. I entered adulthood identifying as Republican and feel a personal stake in seeing the GOP reject amoral performative politics in favor of substantive policy ideas that can help people. Conservatives are right about a lot of things and we need more of them to act like adults. Maybe you can be the adult in the room. Most of all, what we need is for more average, sensible people to bring underrepresented perspectives into the political tents. Both political parties are failing the people of Indiana. That will keep happening until the normie majorities rise up, get to work and make their voices heard. Contact James Briggs at 317-444-4732 or Follow him on X and Bluesky at @JamesEBriggs. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What to do about Trump? Volunteer for your county party. | Opinion
Chicago Tribune
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Tallian elected to lead Indiana Democrats
Former state Senator Karen Tallian was elected as the Indiana Democratic Party on Saturday, becoming the first woman from Northwest Indiana to serve in the role. Tallian, an Ogden Dunes resident, said she was honored and humbled to be elected chairwoman, especially the first woman to lead the party in 30 years. 'As we move forward, it is our job as Democrats to both reunite internally and reunite with the working Hoosiers who may feel left behind by the party in recent years. I am ready to get to work electing Democrats up and down the ballot,' Tallian said. The chair seat had one round of voting Saturday with former state attorney general candidate Destiny Wells receiving 14 votes to Tallian's 18. 'The next thing to do is to reach out to all the people that supported the other candidate and try to mend fences, bring them back in. This is all about unifying the party,' Tallian said. In the coming months, Tallian said the party will hold a series of People's Townhall meetings. The goal is that by the end of May, the party will hold town hall meetings in all nine Congressional Districts, she said, particularly the seven Republican-led Congressional Districts. In reaching Democratic voters throughout the state, Tallian said the party will communicate the actions Donald Trump's administration will undertake over the next 4 years. 'The White House is going to make it very easy for us to have an audience,' Tallian said. 'There are a lot of people who are interested in a lot of different issues who are all getting angry and frustrated with what's going on in Washington. I think this provides us, and the Democratic Party, with a huge opportunity to bring those people back.' Tallian served in the state Senate from 2005 to 2021, and she served as the Democratic Caucus Chair from 2016 to 2020. While she served as Senator, Tallian fought to improve conditions for workers, to raise Indiana's minimum wage and to decriminalize marijuana. Tallian said the state party plank to legalize marijuana will remain under her leadership. After years of push-back, Tallian said some Republicans in the legislature seem more open to some form of marijuana legalization. The state has been losing a lot of money to Illinois and Michigan, which have legalized marijuana, over the years, Tallian said. As the legislators debate property tax reform and the state budget, Tallian said the Republicans are fighting amongst themselves about the best pathway forward because the proposed reform will result in local governments, schools, libraries, and other entities losing property tax dollars for critical services. Tallian said she will draw from her experience as state legislator into her role as chairwoman. 'I know how to fight, I did that. I also know how to get along. As a member of the super minority for all those years, I had to do that,' Tallian said. 'Both of those experiences are going to be very helpful in this role.' Alex Nyirendah was elected as vice chair, Erin Retif was elected secretary and Michael Griffin was elected treasurer, Tallian said. The party's executive board has young make-up, and the party will work to engage young voters, she said. 'We also know that we represent everybody. We have to look from the babies and the children to the oldest of the senior citizens, we have to represent everyone,' Tallian said. Griffin, Merrillville's Interim Town Manager and a former state senator, said he has served the party since October after he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He said his 'heart is full' to win his first election to the role. As treasurer, Griffin said he will work to ensure that the newly elected party leadership understands how the party is funded. Griffin said he would like to see the party continue to fundraise and establish a formal reserve fund policy. 'I have the skill sets to do this work,' Griffin said. Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Repay said he was in Indianapolis Saturday and watched the speeches and votes. He said the race for chair was the closest race he's seen in many years. Given how close the race was, Repay said Tallian will now have to focus on ensuring those who didn't vote for her to support and follow her vision for the party. 'I am confident that Karen Tallian has the skill and ability to get the job done,' Repay said. 'We need as many of us working together as possible.'
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana Democrats elect Tallian, others as new leadership team
Karen Tallian, former Democratic state senator for Ogden Dunes. (Provided photo) The Indiana Democratic Party's central committee on Saturday elected former state senator Karen Tallian as the next chair of the state party. She defeated Destiny Wells by a vote of 18-14. 'I am honored and humbled by the State Central Committee's confidence in me to serve as Indiana Democratic Party Chair,' said Tallian, of Ogden Dunes. 'As we move forward, it is our job as Democrats to both reunite internally and reunite with the working Hoosiers who may feel left behind by the Party in recent years. I am ready to get to work electing Democrats up and down the ballot.' She replaces Mike Schmuhl, who decided not to seek re-election to the post. Several other contenders dropped out of the race in the days before the vote, including former Allen County Democratic Party Chair Derek Camp and at-large Gary Common Council Member Darren Washington. Tallian represented portions of Porter, LaPorte, and Lake counties in the Senate from December, 2005 through November, 2021. During her time in the Senate, she served as the Democratic Caucus Chair between 2016 and 2020. While in the Senate she had strong relationships with labor leaders; fought for decriminalizing marijuana and sought to raise Indiana's minimum wage. A press release said Tallian is looking forward to rebuilding the party, holding a town hall tour to hold Indiana Republicans accountable at the state and federal level, and preparing for the 2026 and 2028 elections. Here are the other leaders who were elected at Saturday's meeting for the 2025-29 term: Alex Nyirendah, Vice Chair; Erin Retif, Secretary; and Michael Griffin, Treasurer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former state senator Karen Tallian elected as new chair of Indiana Democratic Party
Former state senator Karen Tallian was elected as the new leader of Indiana's Democratic Party on Saturday morning. Tallian served in the Indiana Senate from 2006 to 2021. She was the Democratic Caucus chair between 2016 and 2020. She ran for governor in 2016 before dropping out, and in 2020 ran for attorney general but lost the Democratic nomination. "As we move forward, it is our job as Democrats to both reunite internally and reunite with the working Hoosiers who may feel left behind by the party in recent years," Tallian said after she won the election. Throughout her career, Tallian has focused on labor issues, and her run for state party chair was backed by the Indiana Laborers District Council. "After today, we're going to have labor back at the table," Tallian said. Tallian's victory comes at a critical time for Indiana's Democratic party, which hasn't seen a candidate win a statewide race since 2012. After Mike Schmuhl announced in December 2024 that he didn't plan to seek a second term as the party's leader, five candidates began campaigning for a position that hadn't seen an unopposed bid since 1984. One contender, Derek Camp, withdrew from the race on Friday. Former state attorney general candidate Destiny Wells finished second in Saturday's vote, taking 14 votes to Tallian's 18. "I offered to every single person who might have been disappointed with today's results: don't walk away from the table, call me, we will work together," Tallian told members of the media on Saturday afternoon. Democrats throughout the country are reconsidering their strategy and messaging after sweeping Republican victories in the 2024 election. "I think we have a tremendous opportunity right now because of what is being blown up and chainsawed in Washington," Tallian said. Also elected on Saturday were Alex Nyirendah as state party vice chair, Erin Retif as secretary and Michael Griffin as treasurer. The state's GOP is under new leadership, too. The Indiana Republican Party chose Lana Keesling as its new chair last month after she was endorsed by Gov. Mike Braun. Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Former state senator Karen Tallian will lead Indiana Democrats
Chicago Tribune
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Gary councilman announces bid for Indiana Democratic chair, joins former NWI State Senator
A Gary councilman announced his bid for chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, saying leadership needs to move away from identity politics. Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, announced his bid to the Post-Tribune Thursday morning. 'Will I win? I don't know, but I'm going to try,' Washington said. He joins former State Senator Karen Tallian, of Ogden Dunes, in the race. Tallian, who advocated for reproductive rights and the legalization of marijuana during her time in office, did not respond to multiple requests for comment Friday. Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl announced in December that he will not be seeking another term. He will serve as chair until his term ends March 15. 'I know how hard it can be to be a Democrat in Indiana, and over the past four years we have placed our party on a path to future success by protecting what we have and building new bases of support,' Schmuhl said in a December news release. In addition to Washington and Tallian, Allen County Democratic Party Chair Derek Camp and former Secretary of State and Attorney General candidate Destiny Wells have also announced they are vying for the position. Of the four people running, Washington said he's the only one who's currently an elected official. Washington told the Post-Tribune that the Democratic Party needs to change its direction to win statewide. 'We need to take identity politics out of this,' he said. 'We are going to continue to lose if we don't. We need to go back to the basics.' Washington wants the party to focus more on fair wages, housing, jobs and Medicare and Medicaid funding statewide. He also wants to address low voter turnout statewide and encourage other Democrats to create a better economic plan for voters to see. Making these changes will put Democrats statewide in a better position, Washington said Thursday. 'We need to be able to go toe-to-toe with the Republicans,' he said. 'If we have the right candidate, we can beat them. But we need change at the local and state levels.' Washington hopes that whoever wins the position sees the need for change within the party to win in Indiana. He believes voters need to see someone they believe in to continue voting Democrat. 'There needs to be change within the party,' Washington said. 'We need to have hard conversations.'
