Posted: May 15, 2003
Indianapolis-- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Democrats and their friends have announced the first joint appearance in Indianapolis of the two Democrat candidates for Indiana Governor.
State Senator Vi Simpson (Bloomington) and former Democrat National Chair Joe Andrew will be present on Thursday, June 19, 2003 for a reception being organized by the Indiana Stonewall Democrats.
In her eighteen years in the Indiana State Senate, Vi Simpson has proven her ability to build consensus among groups that often have diverse and divergent interests. Since her first election to the State Senate in 1984, Simpson has been a leader on issues affecting children and families, healthcare, education, the environment, and business law. Well known for her knowledge of economic development and state finance issues, she currently serves as Chairman of the State Budget Committee.
Joe Andrew is a small business owner, lawyer, novelist, the former Chairman of Indiana State Democratic Party, and the former National Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Under Andrew's leadership, the Indiana Democratic Party was heralded as the best state party in America, electing Frank O'Bannon as Governor and Evan Bayh as Senator. The youngest National Chair in the history of the Democratic Party, Andrew led the party to a majority of over 512,000 votes in the 2000 Presidential race.
The June 19th reception for Senator Simpson and Mr. Andrew will take place at the Indianapolis Athletic Club, 350 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis. Cost for the cocktail reception is $75, with a private dinner with Senator Simpson and Mr. Andrew being conducted afterward at $250 per person. The event will also feature recognition of State Representative Ron Liggett with the "Indiana Stonewall Equality Award" and of Indianapolis City-County Councilor Karen Horseman with the "Chuck Avery Leadership Award," plus the presence of numerous other Democrats sympathetic to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues.
For tickets and more information, please contact Melinda Haag at (317) 413-9652, at www.instonewalldems.org or by email at [email protected].
The Indiana Stonewall Democrats are committed to improving the record of the Indiana Democratic Party and educating voters about the vast difference that exists between the two major parties on issues of importance to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities.