Putnam County Democrats hold Meet the Candidates event

With early voting right around the corner in Putnam County, the Putnam County Democratic Party and the College Democrats of DePauw University, recently hosted a meet and greet event with several Democratic candidates. 

With Jennifer McCormick unable to attend, voters got an opportunity to hear from Dr. Valerie McCray, a candidate for U.S. Senate, Veronica Pejril, candidate for Indiana State Senate District 24, Derrick Holder, candidate for U.S. House District 4, and former state representative David Crooks, who spoke on behalf of McCormick. 

Putnam County Democratic Party Chair and current Greencastle City Councilman Vincent Aguirre said the event went well and allowed voters an opportunity to hear and see choices on the ballot. 

"I truly believe that options are important and many Democrats and independents in the area have felt starved of options. I am proud that the Democratic Party of Putnam County is working to bring candidates locally and have your voices heard," Aguirre told The Putnam County Post. 

Aguirre said while he may not know what other political parties have done, but has not seen or heard of other statewide candidates coming to Greencastle. 

"I think it's a problem when candidates don't show up and we, as a party, are going to work hard to make sure the Democrats running and asking for your vote are always meeting you where you are," Aguirre said. 

Pejril, who is running for the State Senate against former Hendricks County Sheriff Brett Clark, also served on the Greencastle City Council and said she holds a belief that "small government stays out of our bedroom and stays out of our doctor's offices." She spoke of her advocation for "common-sense" gun laws and for public schools. 

McCray, who is running for the U.S. Senate against Republican Jim Banks and Libertarian Andy Horning, called for a rise in minimum wage, wage increases, as well as ways to help keep up with the rising costs of education and health care. In addition, McCray noted she wants to put a "mental health lens on everything we do" in Washington, especially on the topic of women's rights pertaining to right to choose, birth control and access to IVF. 

As for Holder, who is running against Republican Jim Baird and Libertarian Ashley Groff, is a Marine who served in Kosovo. He spoke of common sense gun laws and improving immigration security. 

Speaking for McCormick, Crooks said McCormick's values have remained the same despite switching from the Republican Party, noting she has always been focused on public education. 

Aguirre said the Democratic Party is working to try and get McCormick to visit Greencastle before the election.