Indiana Democratic Party
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Party of Indiana is a political party
and affiliate of the United States Democratic Party
in Indiana
. The Indiana Democratic Party also hold three of Indiana's nine Congressional seats. The party Chairman is Dan Parker and Cordelia Lewis-Burks is Vice Chairwoman.
, Democratic-Republican and first Governor of the newly formed state of Indiana in 1816. Jennings pushed hard for statehood, and is attributed as an intellectual father of the Indiana Democratic Party. He pushed for a statewide school system and a stable state bank.
, a Whig and one of the first governors of the Indiana territory, ran for President in 1840, Democrats like Joseph Chapman were very critical of him and his supporters.
The first Indiana Democratic Party meeting was held in 1848, and as the time was called the "Indiana State Central Committee of the Democratic Party". Only seven men were in attendance. Thomas Hendricks, nephew of the third Governor of Indiana, became the first post-war Democrat to be elected Governor in a Northern state. His popular bipartisan leadership would eventually lead him to be President Grover Cleveland
's first Vice President in 1884.
, Governor of Indiana, became yet another Democratic Hoosier to be a Vice President (under Woodrow Wilson
).
Years later, World War II veteran Frank McKinney became a delegate in the 1948 Democratic Convention, and later became the second Hoosier to be Chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1951.
In the 1980s, Evan Bayh
became a popular figure within the Indiana Democratic Party as well as the state of Indiana. A young Governor elected in 1988, Bayh was later elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. Bayh's two terms as Governor, along with his lieutenant Governor Frank O'Bannon
's own gubernatorial years, resulted in a budget surplus, tax cuts and increased funding for education and health insurance for the poor. Long considered a moderate, Bayh was rumored to be a top pick for Barack Obama
's Vice Presidential nominee in 2008, but the spot ended up going to Delaware Senator Joe Biden
. Bayh did not run for reelection in 2010.
Current Indiana Democrats in Congress:
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and affiliate of the United States Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The Indiana Democratic Party also hold three of Indiana's nine Congressional seats. The party Chairman is Dan Parker and Cordelia Lewis-Burks is Vice Chairwoman.
Statehood era
The Indiana Democratic Party has its roots in the work of Jonathan JenningsJonathan Jennings
Jonathan Jennings was the first Governor of Indiana and a nine-term congressman from Indiana. Born in Readington, New Jersey, he studied law with his brother before immigrating to Indiana in 1806 where he took part in land speculation...
, Democratic-Republican and first Governor of the newly formed state of Indiana in 1816. Jennings pushed hard for statehood, and is attributed as an intellectual father of the Indiana Democratic Party. He pushed for a statewide school system and a stable state bank.
Civil War era
Indiana political parties in the 19th century were extremely divided culturally. Indiana, more than any other Midwestern state, received an influx of southern farmers who didn't mix well with northern manufacturers and businessmen. Patronage was given out regularly as Democratic and Whig (and eventually Republican) politicians fought for control of state government. Whigs predominantly controlled the state legislature, while Democrats predominantly controlled the governorship. Turbulent elections and heated Democratic passion ended up persuading 50 Whig legislators to switch parties by 1852. Even though William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
, a Whig and one of the first governors of the Indiana territory, ran for President in 1840, Democrats like Joseph Chapman were very critical of him and his supporters.
The first Indiana Democratic Party meeting was held in 1848, and as the time was called the "Indiana State Central Committee of the Democratic Party". Only seven men were in attendance. Thomas Hendricks, nephew of the third Governor of Indiana, became the first post-war Democrat to be elected Governor in a Northern state. His popular bipartisan leadership would eventually lead him to be President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
's first Vice President in 1884.
20th century
As the city of Indianapolis grew into a massive urban area, Democrats began to continuously represent the city in the state legislature. Thomas Taggart, the mayor of Indianapolis from 1895-1901, became the first Hoosier to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee. In 1913, Thomas MarshallThomas Marshall
Thomas Marshall may refer to:*Thomas Marshall , abbot of Colchester*Thomas Marshall , English scholar...
, Governor of Indiana, became yet another Democratic Hoosier to be a Vice President (under Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
).
Years later, World War II veteran Frank McKinney became a delegate in the 1948 Democratic Convention, and later became the second Hoosier to be Chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1951.
In the 1980s, Evan Bayh
Evan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
became a popular figure within the Indiana Democratic Party as well as the state of Indiana. A young Governor elected in 1988, Bayh was later elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. Bayh's two terms as Governor, along with his lieutenant Governor Frank O'Bannon
Frank O'Bannon
Frank Lewis O'Bannon was an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Indiana from 1997 until his death in 2003.-Background:...
's own gubernatorial years, resulted in a budget surplus, tax cuts and increased funding for education and health insurance for the poor. Long considered a moderate, Bayh was rumored to be a top pick for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's Vice Presidential nominee in 2008, but the spot ended up going to Delaware Senator Joe Biden
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
. Bayh did not run for reelection in 2010.
Current Indiana Democrats in Congress:
- District 1Indiana's 1st congressional districtIndiana's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. The district is based in Gary and its surrounding suburbs and exurbs. It consists of all of the counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton, and part of Porter County in the northwestern part of the state...
: Pete ViscloskyPete ViscloskyPeter John "Pete" Visclosky is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1985. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district lies in Northwest Indiana and includes all of Lake, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties as well as a major portion of Porter County... - District 2Indiana's 2nd congressional districtIndiana's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in South Bend, the district is located in north-central Indiana and takes in the Indiana portion of the Michiana region...
: Joe DonnellyJoe DonnellyJoseph Simon "Joe" Donnelly, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Donnelly announced Monday May 9 that he would run for the United States Senate seat that is held by Republican Richard Lugar.-Early life, education and career:Joe Donnelly... - District 7Indiana's 7th congressional districtIndiana's 7th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in the heart of the state, the district encompasses most of Marion County and Indianapolis....
: André CarsonAndré CarsonAndré D. Carson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since the special election in 2008. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
External links
- Indiana Democratic Party Official Party website
- Senate Democratic Caucus
- Indiana House Democrats
- Democratic Women's Caucus