Eric Holcomb on Civil Rights

	Eric Holcomb on Civil Rights

Calls for resignation of Indiana AG over harassment charge

Indiana's attorney general is facing allegations of sexual harassment and defamation in a federal lawsuit filed by four women who say he drunkenly groped them during a party last year. Attorney General Curtis Hill is accused of touching the backs or buttocks of Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon of Munster and three legislative staffers. Hill has denied wrongdoing and rebuffed calls from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and other state officials to resign. Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race , Jun 18, 2019

Signed into law consolidation of minority precincts

In August 2017, Holcomb signed into law Senate Bill 220, which requires Lake County--home to the second largest African-American population and largest Latino population in the state--to consolidate polling locations that had 600 or fewer active voters assigned to that location as of November 1, 2016. Senate Bill 220 applies only to Lake County. Of 522 election precincts, more than half are at risk of consolidation that would cause:

An increase in the time and effort voters have to expend to determine their new polling location
An increase in the distance and time required to travel to new polling locations
A reduction in the number of precinct committee-persons in Lake County (and thereby reduce representation in local and state offices)

Source: Eagle Country 99.3FM on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race , Apr 26, 2019

Hate crimes not about thoughts, but about actions

Some conservatives argue that adopting a hate crime law would create a "protected" class of citizen. Another common refrain among lawmakers who oppose the idea is that it would target "thought crime." All crimes are bad, they say, regardless of what motivates them. Holcomb says "nothing could be further from the truth." "You want to have a moronic thought ... that's your right," he said. "But when it becomes a criminal action, you've crossed the line." Source: WTHR 13 Indianapolis News on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race , Dec 15, 2018

Supports enacting hate crime laws

"No law can stop evil, but we should be clear that our state stands with the victims and their voices will not be silenced," the conservative governor claimed in a statement. "For that reason it is my intent that we get something done this next legislative session, so Indiana can be one of 46 states with hate crime legislation--and not one of five states without it." Source: IntoMore.com blog on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race , Aug 7, 2018

Now supports protecting sexual orientation, gender identity

The conservative once claimed LGBTQ rights are "not an issue [he's] focused on at all." A spokesperson for Holcomb confirmed the governor's support for an Indiana hate crime law would include protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Rachel Hoffmeyer, digital communications director for the governor said, "This reflects the governor's policy statement on affirmative action and workplace harassment prevention, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity." Source: IntoMore.com blog on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race , Aug 7, 2018

Supportive of the LGBT community: zero discrimination

Holcomb said about his two opponents Stutzman and Young, "We want to make sure people understand two of these candidates want to shut down the government; one of them has said he won't do that. Two of these candidates are not supportive of the LGBT community; one of them is. Two of these candidates are very xenophobic on immigration policy; one of them isn't."

Holcomb said he doesn't support efforts to shut down the government, believes securing the border should be a priority, and has a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination. But he declined to take a position on whether civil rights protections for LGBT people should extend to public accommodations. "Anyone that's worked for me or with me will say I can work with people who come from very diverse perspectives. I've always tried to approach these hard issues that need to be solved with consensus," he said.

Source: Chicago Tribune on 2016 Indiana Senate race , Nov 10, 2015

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*Other governors on Civil Rights:*			*Eric Holcomb on other issues:*
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