Melton Withdraws From Governor’s Race
(photo courtesy of State Sen. Eddie Melton's office)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowLess than three months after officially declaring his bid for the governor’s office, State Senator Eddie Melton (D-Gary) is withdrawing from the race. Melton tells our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana he was unable to raise enough money to be competitive.
Melton announced he was entering the Democratic primary for governor in October, following a statewide listening tour that also included Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick.
“I know what it takes to put forth a solid team and a campaign, and based on the projections that I’ve seen, and just the time that I know it personally takes to invest in making sure that happens, it was becoming difficult,” Melton said in an exclusive interview with The Times. “There’s no personal reasons that are driving this other than not being able to identify the resources to move forward.”
In a statement released Monday evening, Melton said the political landscape requires “way too much of a candidate’s time being spent on the phone chasing dollars.” He says he feels his time will be best spent fully engaged in the 2020 legislative session, which began Monday.
The Democratic primary now includes two contenders. Former Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Woody Myers and Josh Owens, chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based tech company SupplyKick, remain in the running. Myers released the following statement after Melton’s announcement:
“Senator Melton is a talented public servant who has served the citizens of his district and the State of Indiana with distinction in the Indiana Senate. Even though he is no longer running for Governor, I know he has a long and bright future focused on making Indiana better for Hoosiers. Eddie’s vast knowledge of education issues and his passion for helping teachers and the many steelworkers in his district will serve him well during the next chapters of his life. I thank him for his continued service in the Indiana Senate and look forward to his counsel and advice as my campaign continues.”
Owens also released a statement:
“I have a great deal of respect for Sen. Melton and really enjoyed getting to know him as we traveled the state these last few months. I know he will continue to be a tireless advocate for public school teachers and all Hoosiers in this legislative session.”
Melton says he will now run for re-election as state senator, representing Indiana’s 3rd district.
You can read Melton’s full statement below:
“Over the past six months, I have had the privilege of traveling our state and engaging with thousands of Hoosiers, hearing their concerns about educational funding, economic mobility, draconian laws oppressing women’s ability to make their own health care decisions, and failure to honor our Veterans’ sacrifices.
The ability to engage my fellow citizens in frank conversations has been a true privilege and honor.
But, unfortunately politics today require way too much of a candidate’s time being spent on the phone chasing dollars. Fixing our systems of elections will take the work of all of us.
As I look to address this issue and the many other challenges we as a state face, I know that my time and energy will be best spent fully engaged in the upcoming 2020 legislative session.
So, with renewed commitment, I have chosen to devote my full time and energy to our fight in the Capitol and announce my withdrawal from the gubernatorial campaign.
For all of the supporters and friends I met over the past six months, thank you.
For my entire family, I thank you for your support. I look forward to spending more time with each of you in the absence of this statewide election.
And for my constituents of Northwest Indiana, we haven’t missed a beat over the past six months, and you will continue to have my undivided time, sacrifice and appreciation. I will continue to be your servant for as long as you will bestow me that honor.”