Eric Holcomb in 2020 IN Gubernatorial race

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

On Civil Rights: 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

On Government Reform: Budgeted for election security: covers about 10% of machines

Governor Eric Holcomb's newly unveiled budget proposed $10 million for election security in the state. It is believed that a majority of the funds would go toward upgrading the existing touch screen voting devices with a new, voter-verifiable ballot component. However, those funds may only be able to upgrade roughly 10 percent of the machines in the state. Source: NCSL.org on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race Apr 26, 2019

On Gun Control: Eliminated fees for gun licenses; allowed guns in churches

Gov. Holcomb signed the bill into law on the stage of the NRA-ILA's Leadership Forum. The new law expands self-defense options in the following ways:

eliminates state fees for a new five-year state License to Carry a Handgun (LTCH);
allows law-abiding gun owners greater ability to carry for self-protection in churches;
allows gun owners to register to vote when they apply for a LTCH.

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

On Crime: Signs victims' rights law, tightening criminal penalties

Holcomb has signed a victims' rights bill into law, Senate Enrolled Act 551, which addresses several areas dealing with crime victims [such as] a gap in the current kidnapping and criminal confinement laws by creating an offense when the kidnapping or criminal confinement results in moderate bodily injury to the victim. The legislation does away with the current practice of offenders having the opportunity to have their felony domestic battery conviction to a misdemeanor. Source: Eagle Country 99.3FM on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race Mar 31, 2019

On Civil Rights: 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

On Civil Rights: 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

On Civil Rights: 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

The above quotations are from 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Eric Holcomb. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Apr 19, 2020