Candidates told to skip first night despite party’s prior agreement
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Howard County voters will not get to hear from some candidates from the local Republican party; at least not in an open setting. Despite agreeing months earlier to participate in an annual forum held by the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce, the Kokomo Tribune, and the League of Women Voters, the GOP pulled a last-minute no-show on Sept. 29.
Just hours before the event was set to take place at Ivy Tech Community College’s Hingst Hall, the Republican Party issued a statement on its own social media sites, announcing its withdrawal from the event. Following is that statement:
“The candidates for the Republican Party will not be in attendance for night one of the fall candidate forum. There are multiple events going in Howard and surrounding counties tonight, and our candidates have chosen to attend those instead of this forum. The organizers of the forum were made aware of the conflicting events well in advance of tonight’s event.
“Our candidates’ decision not to participate in this particular forum should not be mistaken for an unwillingness to answer questions or engage with voters. We welcome those conversations and believe they are an important part of the election process.
“In the coming weeks, our candidates will be participating in neighborhood outreach and going door to door to speak with voters one-on-one. The Howard County Republican Party will also host a meet-and-greet featuring Republican candidates on the ballot, providing another opportunity for members of the community to meet candidates, ask questions, and discuss the issues that matter to them.
“Our candidates remain committed to listening to the citizens of Howard County, discussing the issues facing our community, and earning the support of voters through direct engagement.”
The organizers took issue with the GOP claim that it had given notice that it would skip the forum. After the event, which necessarily showcased all of the Democratic candidates for the offices of Indiana House Districts 30 and 38, Indiana Senate District 21, Howard County Commissioner District 1, and Howard County Clerk, the Tribune and the Chamber expressed their displeasure.
“We did give them plenty of notice,” said Kathy Linton, Kokomo Tribune Managing Editor. “I did see the statement they released, but they had plenty of notice. We’ve been planning this for months, so I’m disappointed.”
“We weren’t aware that there was a conflict,” said Courtney Butler, Kokomo Chamber of Commerce Manager. “There was only one candidate who had a conflict, Tracy Powell. We were not aware of other conflicts.”
Butler stated that two candidates had informed the chamber that they would not be in attendance. Those candidates were not disclosed, at the direction of Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance CEO Lori Dukes. Butler did confirm that no notification was given by the local Republican party that there would be no participation from any of its candidates on Sept. 29.
The GOP’s statement was accurate, at least in part. The candidates for state office who chose not to attend the forum were in attendance at another event. They dined at the new Kokomo Conference Center during the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center fundraiser. But the candidates for local office – Jeff Lipinski and Nicole Cothern – were not at that event or the forum.
And that was by design. The candidates’ absences weren’t simply because of conflicting events. They stayed home, specifically because the party told them to do so. Howard County Commissioner candidate Lipinski admitted as much when asked, and he expressed misgivings about the decision.
“It’s the same question my son asked me, ‘Why didn’t I go?’” said Lipinski. “I could have gone. I should have gone. But my party asked me not to go. I should have gone, but I followed their rules.”
When asked whether he regretted obeying the party over a commitment to attend the forum, Lipinski expressed resignation.
“I’m just done with it,” said Lipinski. “I want to move on.”
Lipinski’s opponent, Lisa Washington – who also serves as the chair of the Howard County Democratic Party – was unfazed by the Republican’s absence. She took the incident as an opportunity to differentiate herself.
“My opponent was not present, but I assure you I have been engaged in this community and will continue to do so because constituents deserve a commissioner who will be listener, be present, and act in their best interest,” Washington said.
“At (the Sept. 29) candidate forum, I had the chance to speak about AI and data centers being brought to our county. As your commissioner, I will listen and be a voice to the voters in Howard County. For months, you all have been clear with your needs and wants about these issues. And still, your voices are not being heard by our elected officials. I am ready to listen and represent the constituents in this community.”
Washington confirmed that plans for the forum were established with the approval of both parties in June. She provided email exchanges to verify that former GOP chair Jordan Buckley committed to the event well in advance of his July 28 resignation as chair of his party.
“This process goes way back to summer,” said Washington. “They had ample time to request a new date.”
For his part, Buckley distanced himself from the party’s actions, confirming to the Lantern on Sept. 30 that he had no involvement in the decision to renege on the commitment.
The Republican boycott did not fully extend to the forum’s second night. Howard County Council candidates Frank Faulkner, John Roberts, and Tim Cuthbert did attend. However, no other GOP candidate attended, including the nominees for Center Township Trustee, Taylor Township Trustee (GOP chairman Jensen Pickett), the boards of Center and Harrison townships, and the Greentown Town Council.