Lawrence Township republicans heard an on-stage interview between Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier and Gov. Eric Holcomb at the Lawrence Township Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner Feb. 1.
Collier asked Holcomb several questions about his success and potential future plans when it comes to governing the state.
“In the next 20 years, Indiana will invest nearly $32 billion of infrastructure … for our roads. We are currently seeing wages in Indiana grow at five times the national rate, with more Hoosiers working than ever before,” Collier said. “All of this, and Indiana is ranked No. 2 in the nation for affordability. Gov. Holcomb has become, reasonably so and rightfully so, one of the most popular governors in the Midwest.”
Some of the questions Collier asked Holcomb, including asking what his vision is for the state.
“Well, I can be pretty succinct about this,” Holcomb answered. ‘It is every day we wake up and try to create more opportunities for growth for people, or an individual for a business or for a community. That’s the bottom line. Your mission or your vision ought to be pretty tight, and that’s what drives us forward.”
Collier also asked Holcomb what his favorite accomplishment as governor has been.
“We have managed to present a plan and be very transparent about it and have it be an informed plan, first and foremost, tethered to people that we serve, and then implementing that plan and being focused on it and not being pulled off message,” Holcomb said. “The folks that we meet with and we are trying to lure or court to come to our state and join our ranks, that makes a big difference, and that can be a dealmaker or breaker.”
Collier also addressed the importance of reaching across the aisle and working soundly with both democrats and republicans. Holcomb agreed.
“It’s quicker to solve problems that way, and we are not so arrogant to think we have a monopoly on every great idea,” Holcomb said. “The majority of the bills that get voted on and signed into law are unanimous, and so we are open to input and I just make it part of my rule that I will continuously … overcommunicate, we weren’t going to be a pest but we were going to make sure the lines of communication are wide open. It doesn’t matter to me what particular jersey that you wear, if you’ve got a good idea, it should carry the day.”
Collier ended the interview by noting Holcomb has more than $4 million in campaign funds. Collier asked Holcomb if he wanted to make an announcement that night. Holcomb laughed but denied to announce if he planned to run for governor again or not.
“I’ve always been someone who believed that you do the job you’ve got and it will make the next decision easier,” Holcomb said. “And that’s what we’ll do. We’ve got our head down and we are focused, just like I said, on the plan we are seeking to implement.”
“I think by the turnout tonight of the people in this room that we fully expect that you’ll be around for at least the next five years, if not longer than that,” Collier said.
