Candidates for governor look for attention

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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Democratic candidates for governor Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger.

Democratic candidates for governor Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger. (Photos provided)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Apr 27, 2008 at 9:50 PM EST

Story Updated: May 1, 2008 at 5:19 PM EST

The campaign for Indiana governor is in full swing, but some say it's getting lost with all the attention being paid to the presidential race. A new poll shows the two Democratic candidates for governor are locked in a virtual dead heat.

The Indianapolis Star/WTHR poll shows 28 percent favor Indianapolis architect and South Bend native Jim Schellinger, 26 percent favor Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson, and 46 percent of voters remain undecided.

A WSBT/South Bend Tribune poll gave Long Thompson a narrow lead, with 10 percent undecided. Many voters haven't paid attention to the governor's race because of the presidential race.

While both candidates say the increased attention to Indiana politics is good for them, they’re working hard to get their message out. They've started running a blizzard of TV ads to try and get their message out, and the gloves are coming off.

Schellinger’s ads claim Long Thompson voted to cut Social Security and Medicare, while Long Thompson’s ads claim Schellinger opposes cutting the gasoline tax and lobbied for millions of dollars in government contracts. Both candidates say the charges against them aren’t true.

“I think the voters are very smart and able to see through those negative campaign ads that he's running,” Long Thompson said.

“I was sad and disappointed, but not surprised,” Schellinger said. “Because people said, people will say anything and do anything to win an election.”

Professor Sean Savage with St. Mary's College says he's not surprised the campaign has gone so negative.

“I really believe one of the reasons Schellinger and Jill Long Thompson have had more negative attacks against each other and have criticized each other more is a strategy to attract more media attention and therefore more public attention to their race,” said Savage.

Long Thompson says the primary should bring out more women and minorities to vote, and that could be good for her. Schellinger continues to tout his many endorsements.

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