While many political candidates this fall are on the offensive,hoping to win a seat or government position, Joe Kernan is hopingto defend the seat he already holds as governor of Indiana.
Jonathan Swain, press secretary to the governor, said Kernan isgearing his campaign toward young people and Hoosier businessowners.
"Earlier this year, Governor Kernan communicated with publicuniversity presidents and boards of trustees on the topic ofcollege affordability," Swain said. "He proposed a plan andrecommended that tuition not be increased more than 4 percent eachyear."
Under Kernan's plan, before tuition at a public college oruniversity can increase, the president and board of trustees musthold a public meeting to inform parents and teachers of the change,Swain said.
"College affordability is an issue the federal government hasplaced on high priority, and the state level is no different,"Swain said.
In July, the governor organized a college affordability taskforce to look at issues like rising costs and financial aid.
"The task force will give the state better control and make surecollege remains an affordable option for Hoosiers," Swain said.
Swain said Kernan will visit Muncie along the campaign trailmore than once in the next few months, because of the kind of jobsDelaware County provides.
"Muncie is obviously an area of the state that is importantbecause of the university and the strong manufacturing base inIndiana," Swain said.
At the end of July, the governer announced several new programshe plans to put into action for small business development inIndiana.
"Half of the Hoosier workforce is in small business ownership,"Swain said. "These programs will help create job opportunities forIndiana students after graduating from college."
The issues Kernan is focusing on during his campaign are theones he will focus on as governor, Swain said.
Political science professor Ralph Baker said the gubernatorialrace will be close this year.
"For Democrats to hold an office in Indiana for 16 years, it'spretty amazing," Baker said. "I think Daniels is the favorite rightnow. After so long, people start looking for a change."
While there are more voters registered in Indiana as Democrats,the Republicans seem to be louder about politics, Baker said.
Joseph Losco, chair of the political science department at BallState, said it's too soon to tell who the favorite is.
"The latest poll shows there is a very large number ofundecideds," Losco said. "And the undecideds don't usually payattention to politics until after Labor Day."
Both parties have something going for them, Losco said.
"For Daniels, the advantage is that this year is a presidentialelection year, and the state is guaranteed to go Republican," Loscosaid. "For the Democrats, Evan Bayh is a very popular Democrat andwill bring Democrat voters to the polls."
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