By Scott Tibbs, February 13, 2014
I had the opportunity to listen to Don Bates speak on campus last week, and I have come to the conclusion that he is the best choice for the Republican Party to nominate at our convention. I cannot be a delegate this year due to a prior commitment, but if I was a delegate I would vote for Bates.
Bates has run for office twice before, once for U.S. Senate and once for U.S. House of Representatives. This is not the case of a perennial candidate, though. The Bates family was expecting twins, and people within the party started recruiting him to run for Treasurer. A family man first and foremost, Bates held off on the decision until his twins were born and healthy, and then decided to consider running.
We are fortunate he agreed. Bates has twenty years of experience in financial management, and is well-positioned to continue the policies that have led to Indiana's financial strength. The position of Treasurer is not a policy-making position; it is an administrative position. Because this is a "skill" position, we need to present voters with the candidate who has the best background and experience, and that is Bates.
This is not to disparage the other Republicans running for Treasurer, but nominating one of the others will be a missed opportunity because we would not have picked the best candidate.
