Former U.S. Representative, Mike Pence has been elected as Indiana’s next governor in a tight race.
“The time has come to set politics aside and work together for the betterment of every Hoosier,” Pence said in his victory speech.
Kelsea Neal, College Republicans public relations chairman, said she hopes Pence will bring more jobs and prosperity to the state.
“We have people who are graduating that cannot get jobs,” Neal said. “That is going to be the very first thing Pence will focus on.”
According to Pence’s website, his focus is on increasing private sector employment, as well as attracting investment in Indiana with emphasis on manufacturing, agriculture, life sciences and logistics.
“[Tuesday night], you said ‘yes’ to an honestly balanced budget, lower taxes and less red tape ... to education reform that funds excellence, that gives parents more choices and teachers more freedom,” Pence said.
Those opposed to Pence say he will institute several policies that will be harmful for Indiana.
“Mike Pence is a Tea Party extremist whose ideas don’t line up with most Hoosiers,” Tyler Hempfling, University Democrats financial director, said. “He has voted to defund Planned Parenthood, is against the Affordable Care Act and he has not passed a bill in his 12 years in Congress.
Joseph Losco, chairman of the political science department, said former Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels had set the groundwork for Pence.
“While there is little an elected official can do to actually attract employment,” Losco said, “[Hoosiers] will see a continued upward swing in employment.”
According to Pence’s website, he plans to lower regulations to incite new businesses in Indiana.
“Lower regulations are always good,” Neal said. “It helps small businesses create jobs.”
Pence also plans to emphasize education and to improve math and reading skills in elementary school children.
“Mike Pence is now talking about vocational education,” Losco said. “Everyone may not need a bachelor’s degree if you can train them in a skill. That will improve the economy and ultimately — their livelihood.”
Neal said the important fields of Indiana’s economy are agriculture and factory jobs.
“When Indiana and the United States were prosperous was when agriculture and industrial jobs were prominent,” Neal said. “Pence’s plan to increase these cannot hurt Indiana.”
On the subject of women’s issues and other social issues, Pence has stayed quiet. However, his record shows his past stances.
Pence has voted to defund Planned Parenthood and has been on record in Congress to limit the funding of Medicaid.
This election has also been one that has focused on women’s rights.
“The ‘war on women’ is funny, because to me, the Republican ideal concerning women’s issues when getting into health care and birth control is for [women] to make their decisions for themselves,” Neal said. “I appreciate that more than having it handed to me. Republicans value choices.”
Pence also plans to attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare.”
Losco said Pence opposes the Affordable Care Act, and if he is unsuccessful in overturning it, he will force the federal government to institute its own process.
“Mike Pence’s victory showed a victory for crazy, crazy campaign donations,” Hempfling said.
Republicans all across Indiana are proud of the win, Neal said, and see it as a great opportunity for Indiana to move in the right direction.
To close his speech, Pence highlighted his Indiana upbringing.
“This is not about [Pence], this is not our moment, this is Indiana’s moment because of the progress we have made in the past eight years. Indiana is on the verge of an area of growth and opportunity poised to go from good to great. To take our rightful place as the leading state in the Midwest in one of the fastest growing economies in America,” Pence said. “[Tuesday night], Hoosiers reached for the future.”
