INDEMS says VP Harris’s presidential campaign is the fuel needed to break Republican supermajority

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Democrats see the momentum that’s building behind Vice President Kamala Harris’s new presidential campaign – momentum several party leaders say could help them take the Governor’s office this November.

In the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’s historic visit to the Zeta Phi Beta Grand Boule in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl said the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) is looking into investing in Jennifer McCormick’s gubernatorial campaign on a larger scale.

“The DGA is headed by the Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz…he has said we will compete in Indiana,” Schmuhl said.

The DGA confirmed this to FOX59/CBS4 on Thursday. A statement from the DGA reads:

“Former State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick is a strong nominee who has been traveling Indiana building a broad coalition across party lines with her message to fully fund public schools, restore fundamental freedoms, and bring back good-paying jobs to the state. Meanwhile, anti-choice extremist and political insider Senator Mike Braun, with his conspiracy theorist running mate, will only make things worse for Hoosier families. The DGA has a strong record of competing and winning in tough states like Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina, and we’re working hand in hand to help McCormick continue building the campaign she needs to win this November.”

The DGA did not disclose what those spending plans could look like.

“They wouldn’t be considering investing if they didn’t think there was a strong chance that they could actually come out on the winning side,” former Indiana Democratic legislator Terri Austin said.

But even with this financial boost, former Indiana Republican legislator Michael Murphy said McCormick is up against insurmountable odds.

“The fact is that in ’16 and in ’20, Trump won the state by 19-20 points each time, and so, with that kind of dominant player at the top of the ticket, it all flows downhill,” Murphy said. “Mike Braun will win by 10-20 points.”

As for the presidential race, Murphy said Vice President Harris could beat former President Donald Trump in the general election, but the chances of her winning Indiana are slim to none.

“In 2008, Obama was a fresh face, he was a historic choice…the Republican party was not exactly united behind McCain,” Murphy said. “It’s just not the same.”

This comes as 88 Indiana delegates prepare for the DNC on August 19 in Chicago. Schmuhl said he’s been in talks with the DNC to provide additional support for Indiana’s gubernatorial and attorney general races, although what exactly that assistance could look like has yet to be seen.

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