by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)

Both of Indiana’s United States senators will speak at this year’s Republican Lincoln Day Dinner on March 19. This is unusual and gives an indication of the importance state GOP leaders place on Hamilton County.

Sen. Todd Young and Sen. Mike Braun are scheduled for the gala where hundreds of county Republicans will gather for the annual traditional fundraiser designed to honor Abraham Lincoln, the party’s first president.

Young has a history in the county where he grew up and graduated from Carmel High School in 1990. He now calls Bloomington home. Braun is from Jasper, Ind.

Hamilton County regularly produces one of the state’s largest election pluralities for Republicans. Democrats have grown more aggressive in the past two years, and the GOP is anxious to preserve and expand its traditional hold on the county in this year’s election.

A host of state and county offices are at stake, including the office of Gov. Eric Holcomb as well as the Trump presidency.

The Lincoln Day event will be held at the 502 East Event Center with most officeholders, candidates, party workers and many financial supporters in attendance. The evening dinner is open to the public at $50 a plate.