From the State Convention
Fired Up and Bringing it Back Home
Twenty-nine Howard County Democrats went to Democratic Party State Convention. We're now bringing back that energy to Howard County!
This year, Howard County sent 29 delegates to the Indiana Democratic State Convention in Indianapolis. For the first time in recent memory, more people wanted to go than there were seats. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens when people are fired up and want in.
And the energy in that room more than matched it. More than 2,300 Democrats from all 92 counties packed the Indiana Convention Center to nominate our 2026 statewide ticket. The race for Secretary of State drew two strong candidates, Beau Bayh and Blythe Potter, each with passionate, organized supporters who believed in them and worked hard to make their case. Beau earned the nomination, but Blythe inspired so many people across the state, and her campaign reminded us what this party is made of. We must make sure make sure their energy and their voices stay part of this party. Because that is exactly how we get stronger. We were also proud to nominate Coumba Kebe for Treasurer and Jessica Bailey for Comptroller.
But the nominations were only part of the day. A convention is thousands of Democrats in one place, hearing from candidates up and down the ballot and feeding off each other's energy. In the 5th District caucus, our delegates heard from JD Ford, our nominee for Congress, taking on Victoria Spartz this November, and the 5th is Howard County's district. People left that room believing this is our year.
That's the feeling we want to bring home. Our very own Bethany Wenger went to her first convention this year. Here's her experience, in her own words.
In her wordsBethany Wenger, first-time delegate
What made me want to go this yearIt's the first election year since I've gotten involved with local politics, and it felt like the best way for me to engage with the process without running a full-blown campaign for elected office. It's way more accessible, and a good introductory way to become familiar with the process of state political elections.
What I was nervous about walking inI didn't know what to expect: time frames, where to be, whether to express out loud who I'd be voting for or not, the lunch plan. It was much more calm and intuitive than I expected.
A moment that hit meHearing Coumba Kebe speak at the D5 Caucus in the morning. She was so inspiring and energizing. Her story and her reason for getting into politics really resonated with me. She's a great speaker and a bold leader, and she reminded me to stay focused on my "why" for fighting this fight. She sees a clear path for making the changes she wants to see in the world, and if she can do it, we can do it.
Someone I met who inspired meMy conversation with Katie Robins, running for state representative in Grant County. We graduated high school together, and it's been great to watch her campaign from social media. She shared some of the difficult conversations she's had with loved ones who aren't on the same political page as she is, and how she's navigated them with grace and compassion. We have a lot of similarities in our personal relationships that make discussing politics with loved ones extremely hard, and I was so moved to hear the progress she's made with her own family: showing up with patience and an open mind, willing to listen and educate without condescension, and standing her ground courageously when challenged to defend her values. It helped open my mind to a different approach I might take with my own family members who hold opposing values to mine.
Something I can't wait to act on back homeActBlue's expanded platform for managing volunteers and communications. Dana Black is just awesome, and I'm excited to watch the demo she told me about.
I can't wait for the next one!
It's scary to be bold and courageous, but if we want to see change, we have to be that change. Bethany Wenger
That's the energy we left Indianapolis with, and we're not letting it cool off over the summer. This is the season the November election gets won or lost: the doors knocked, the conversations had, the candidates supported while there's still time to make a difference. There's a place for you in that work, whatever you've got to give. Come be part of it.
Join us →