Congressman Mike Pence Raises $ 5 Million for Governor Race

Tea Party favorite Congressman Mike Pence has an almost three to one fund raising advantage over his Democratic opponent, former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg. Pence has raised $5 million since entering the race in May of 2011 while Gregg has managed to put together only $1.7 million. Pence’s donations came from 5,337 individuals with donations of $100 or less from 3,457 which seems to indicate strong grass roots support. I would be amazed if Pence does not pull 60 percent of the vote this fall. He makes me proud and not many politicians do that.

There are only three people in Indiana politics that enjoy statewide Tea Party support and no Richard Mourdock is not one of them. Aside from Pence, Congressman Marlin Stutzman of the third Congressional district will probably replace Senator Dan Coates when he retires and chances are Coates will retire again at the end of his term. Jackie Waloski is one tough woman and a Tea Party heart throb. She ran unsuccessfully against Joe Donnelly in the second district; losing by only a few thousand votes. Republicans fixed that seat so well in reapportionment that Donnelly must run for senate to survive politically and against Lugar his career will be on life support. With Pence as governor and Stutzman and Waloski in congress Indiana can begin building a strong Tea Party farm team.