Sen. Long has asked me to take a leadership position in the caucus.  He has asked me to become the Assistant Majority Leader chairing and overseeing the Senate Majority Communications Department, a position originally occupied by Sen. Teresa Lubbers.  I am happy to serve in this capacity and to help the Senate Republican Caucus in messaging and other communication needs. 

Also, I learned yesterday that I will be named a new member of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.  All tax issues come through this committee.  Given my background in public finance, this is a position that I have sought for several years.  I look forward to working with Senator Hershman, Chairman, as well as the other commitee members to make sure that revenue raisers are not part of our solution to balance our state's budget.  There will be other announcements forthcoming that will highlight additional entrance into leadership positions by other conservatives in the Indiana State Senate. 

This is an exciting time to be a conservative in the Indiana State Senate.  Now we need to perform exceeding all public expectations.  Tomorrow is organization day.  Beth and the girls will not be in attendance due to school, but it looks like my Mom and my 97 year old Grandmother and possibly my younger brother John will be in attendance.  It will be a great ceremony as it's always an honor to take the oath of office on behalf of the good people who entrusted me with this honor of serving as their State Senator.

Thank you for your support and encouragment!  The entire Delph family is recovering from the election cycle but wanted to let you know how grateful we are for the opportunity to continue to serve in the Indiana State Senate.  This was a challenging cycle for several reasons.  We had an aggressive challenger who was very effective at tapping into President Obama's Organizing for America grassroots network.  We had events within Marion County in other races that could have an impact with little control.  Political attention and resources were directed elsewhere for various reasons. 

But what we did have was the best grassroots operation in the state bathed in non-ceasing prayer.  And at the end of the day, we won big in Hamilton County and we carried Marion County as well.  I want to congratulate Robin Shackleford, my Democratic opponent, for running an honorable campaign.  We were able to spend some time together and I think she carried herself and her party very well.  Additionally, I want to thank my wife and daughters who were there for me every step of the way.  Beth, Abby, Evelyn, Anna, Emma, and baby Lilly, I love you all very much and am so very thankful for your love and support.

We took technology to the next level interfacing texting, email, voicemail, facebook, twitter, and direct mail ontop of radio and television in a very well disciplined and layered messaging machine.  I can't tell you how many folks took away common sense and proven conservative leader from our campaign.  Elections are about people and ideas and I learned a great deal through this journey.  For those who didn't support me, I will work to earn your trust.  We may not always agree, but you are entitled to an understanding and explanation.

President Obama did carry my Senate district which surprises most folks.  He won 56% to John McCain's 44%.  Other Republicans have done better including our Governor and our Attorney General.  It shows that my Senate district is fairly independent minded.  This was reinforced as I knocked on doors to hear the viewpoints of constituents across SD 29.  We knocked on thousands of doors.  We made thousands of phone calls.  And at the end of the day, we won 59% t0 41%.  It was a total team effort and all who were a part of Team Delph 2010, know that I am grateful, thankful, and will never forget your efforts on my behalf. 

From preachers to home school Moms to Tea Party activists and Republican loyalists, we had a dedicated and determined fighting force.  We look forward to working again with you real soon, but for now take comfort and enjoy our victory.  Thank you very very much!

Greetings friends,

Thanks to everyone who has helped in our campaign efforts so far. We are now on the homeward stretch and are in need of volunteers to man polling sites this Tuesday, Nov. 2, across Senate District 29. Specifically, we need people to work the following shifts: 6am-8am, 11am-1pm, and 4pm-6pm. If you have an hour or two to spare on election day, please call Beth at 383-1176 or email bfdelph@aol.com.

Thanks again to all of our volunteers who have come out in support of us. We couldn't do this without you.

Best regards,

Beth Delph

The Delph family and supporters have been going door to door and making phone calls to voters for months.  We are up on cable TV and radio throughout Senate District 29.  The support for our work has been very humbling.  We have close to 1000 yard signs sprinkled throughout the district and receive daily calls and notes of encouragement in addition to offers to help.

We are confident that election day will be very positive, but are taking nothing for granted in this political climate of uncertainty.  Neither should you.  Now is not the time to take your foot off of the gas.  Increase your efforts.  Talk to more friends.  Put out more yard signs.  Help raise more money.  Turn out more votes.  So much is at stake at all levels of government.  We must restore balance to the Federal level of government providing a necessary check on the runaway Federal spending.  Our posterity will not be able to provide for our nation's basic national defense on the current fiscal path we walk.

At the state level of government, not only do we have our two year budget to balance in tough economic times, but we also have redistricting to complete.  This process will set the table of political power and authority in the state of Indiana for the next decade, well beyond the direct two year implication of this election cycle.

My daughters have been educated on the political process as have Beth and I.  There have been a ton of dogs on the campaign trail, only one gazed upon me as a potential meal.  The others were just barking.  Lots of folks have been home and have expressed deep concerns about finding work and paying the bills for the basics of life.  We must renew our focus and respect on the free enterprise system.  Depending on government to provide for our basic needs is the wrong way to go in my view.  Even as the so called economic experts have declared our recession over, know that friends and neighbors are still struggling financially.

All of the negative television ads that currently pollute our airwaves show a profound disconnect between our elite political class and what everyday Hoosiers care about.  More on that in a future post.  For now, keep your foot on the gas!

In Carmel, Ben Kenney, Donna Schaibley, and Luke Stultz are working hard to make sure that our phone banks are running to reach critical voters as we head down the final stretch of campaign season 2010.  We are still in need of additional support.  Beth and I are going to start making time on Mondays to make calls for our next United States Senator Dan Coats.  (dancoatsforindiana.com)  This race is crucial in checking the imperial power being tapped out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  We need your help as well.  If you have any time to donate to help make phone calls, we could sure use it.

The Carmel Victory Center is located at 205 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032. 

The hours of operation are:  Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday noon-6pm

If you can help, please contact:

Donna Schaibley, dschaibl@gmail.com, cell: (317) 750-4661

Ben Kenney, bkenney@indgop.org, cell:  (317) 508-3443

Luke Stultz, luke@hamiltoncountygop.org, cell:  (317) 379-6478

Thank you for your consideration and please remember that now is the time to stand up and do all that you can to restore freedom and free enterprise to our country.