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PRESS ROOM

GOODIN: Mike Braun’s Failures and Our Plan to Revitalize Rural Indiana.

October 17, 2024

By Terry Goodin, Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor of Indiana

press@mccormickforgov.com

 

Indiana’s single-party rule has left rural Hoosiers behind for far too long. Under the Republican leadership of the past 20 years, our state’s rural communities have seen declining populations, underfunded schools, and insufficient healthcare access. 

 

As a seventh-generation farmer, former state director for the United States Department of Agriculture, rural school superintendent, and the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, I'm not a politician. I'm a part of rural Indiana. I’m here to offer a real plan for revitalizing rural Indiana and supporting our farmers—one built on action, not empty promises. 

 

Because while Mike Braun promises action, his track record proves otherwise. 

 

One of the most glaring failures of Braun’s record is his refusal to support a new Farm Bill to replace the now-expired Farm Bill. This bill is not just a piece of legislation; it directly affects the daily lives of our farmers – farmers across Indiana stuck with outdated reference prices and shrinking markets. Without a new Farm Bill, our farmers must navigate a global marketplace without the tools they need to succeed. Our Balanced Agriculture and Rural Priorities Strategy addresses this head-on. We will work with Indiana’s Congressional delegation to pass a new Farm Bill that updates these reference prices and restores essential market promotion programs, giving our farmers a fighting chance in a competitive world. 

 

Braun’s failure to act on the Farm Bill is directly tied to his disconnect from the realities Hoosier farmers face. While farmland prices have surged to $14,500 an acre, his extreme running mate Micah Beckwith recently claimed land costs just $1,500—proof that the Braun-Beckwith ticket doesn’t understand rural Indiana’s realities.  Meanwhile, our strategy restores balance and provides real solutions, such as protecting family farms from corporate takeover and promoting local agriculture to keep Indiana-grown products on Hoosier tables.

 

Additionally, broadband access remains a critical issue in rural Indiana. While Braun’s opposition to broadband funding has left rural residents disconnected, our plan ensures that every Hoosier can access high-speed internet. Lack of broadband access means farmers can’t do their work,  students struggle to complete homework,  and businesses cannot compete in the digital economy. By expanding broadband, we will empower rural communities to grow and thrive in the 21st century. 

 

But our plan goes beyond agriculture. Rural residents face healthcare and mental healthcare deserts, with few options for affordable care. We’re committed to changing that by investing in rural healthcare infrastructure and ensuring families can access affordable, quality healthcare. In addition, we will support small businesses and create jobs through infrastructure investments that will strengthen the backbone of rural Indiana. 

 

Mike Braun has had his chance, and he’s failed. It’s common sense that it is time for a change. Jennifer McCormick and I have a balanced vision for Indiana that includes all Hoosiers, from our largest cities to the smallest farming communities. Our Balanced Agriculture and Rural Priorities Strategy will deliver the real support rural Indiana needs to thrive.

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About Jennifer McCormick: Jennifer McCormick is a lifelong educator and fifth-generation Hoosier from New Castle, Indiana. She has spent decades serving Indiana as a teacher, principal, and most recently, state superintendent of public instruction. While superintendent in rural Indiana, Jennifer fought to protect local control of school districts to ensure parents, teachers, and administrators could make the best decisions for their children. As state superintendent, she was a powerful advocate for teachers and students, ensuring they had the resources they needed to succeed while protecting taxpayer dollars by demanding transparency and fiscal accountability. Jennifer believes it's time we elect a public servant leader who empowers Hoosier voices so that together, we can make Indiana an attractive state in which to live, work, and thrive.

About Terry Goodin: Terry Goodin most recently served as the State Director for Rural Development with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a role that exemplified his commitment to improving the lives of rural Hoosiers. Prior to his work with the USDA, Terry served as a public school educator. His administrative endeavors began as an assistant principal and teacher at Austin High School, followed by serving as assistant principal with Bloomington High School South. Terry spent 24 years as a Public School Superintendent at Crothersville Community Schools. Elected in 2000, he served 20 years in the Indiana House of Representatives and was chosen by his colleagues as the House Minority Leader in 2017. As a member of the Indiana General Assembly, Terry committed his time to creating better opportunities for Indiana through educational, agricultural, and rural development initiatives and was a staunch advocate for the expansion of Broadband connectivity. 

GOODIN: Mike Braun’s Failures and Our Plan to Revitalize Rural Indiana.

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