Long Thompson, Indiana Democrats' "Road to Change Tour" Finished First Weekend

Press Release

Long Thompson, Indiana Democrats' "Road to Change Tour" Finished First Weekend

Democratic ticket visits 13 cities over the weekend as part of the final push before Election Day

The first weekend of the "Road to Change Tour" proved a success as Democratic nominee for Governor Jill Long Thompson, her running mate Dennie Oxley and other Indiana Democrats visited with Hoosiers in southern Indiana discussing issues ranging from the economy to privatization.

The "Road to Change Tour" is a statewide barnstorming tour that is taking the Democratic ticket to 61 different communities in the 10 days leading up to the general election. The tour kicked off with a rally at the Hoosiers for Jill Headquarters in Indianapolis on Friday before traveling to Rushville, Connersville, Brazil, Terre Haute, Sullivan, Vincennes, Princeton, Evansville, Boonville, Jasper, Corydon and Jeffersonville over the weekend.

Day one of the tour included stops in some of the areas hardest hit by the state's economic downturn. Residents of Rush and Fayette County, which currently holds the state's highest unemployment rate, were eager to hear about Long Thompson's plans to grow Indiana's economy, focusing on the state's most economically distressed areas.

"Everywhere we go, Hoosiers tell us the same thing: they want change," said Long Thompson. "Hoosiers are concerned about their jobs, the rising cost of health care and educating their children. They recognize that Bush/Daniels economic policies don't work and they want to move this state in an entirely new direction - and that's why I am running for Governor."

Large crowds greeted the tour in stops in Brazil, Terre Haute, Sullivan, Princeton and Evansville. Former U.S. Senator Birch Bayh and Democratic nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Richard Wood joined Long Thompson in speaking with voters about her plan to turn Indiana's economy around.

"The enthusiasm for our campaign and the desire for change is evident in every stop, no matter where we are or to whom we speak," said Long Thompson. "We are encouraged by what we have seen and we are looking forward to this final week meeting with Hoosiers."

On Sunday Long Thompson and Oxley, who was joined by his wife Jayme and daughters, Audrey and Demi, attended services at several area churches before heading to Boonville, Jasper, Corydon and Jeffersonville.

"The choice could not be clearer. Jill and I are offering a real economic recovery plan for the state of Indiana that will grow jobs and economic opportunity in all 92 counties, while Mitch Daniels is offering more of the same," said Oxley. "Mitch Daniels has put Indiana on the road to nowhere, but in a few short days, Hoosiers will have chance to put Indiana back on the road to change - and we can't wait."

Throughout the tour Long Thompson and Oxley are touting their economic recovery strategy, the "One Indiana Plan." The 56-page plan includes proposals to jumpstart Indiana's economy, including provisions to overhaul the state's tax structure, create green jobs, protect the environment, improve the state's infrastructure system, lower health care costs, strengthen the state's education system, make college more affordable, reduce home foreclosures and spur new economic development in distressed communities.

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