Published: June 17, 2008 11:06 am      

Southern Indiana’s Oxley to join Thompson on Democratic ticket

Democratic Party ticket is set for November election

SELLERSBURG — Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson has chosen one of Southern Indiana’s own as her running mate.

Rep. Dennie Oxley, D-English, will serve as lieutenant governor if Long Thompson defeats incumbent governor Mitch Daniels in the November election.

Oxley, 37, is a lifelong resident of Crawford County, where he worked as a math teacher and school administrator. He was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1998.

Oxley earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University Southeast and is employed in English as a business-development representative for an engineering firm. Oxley represents portions of eight Southern Indiana counties — including a small part of western Clark County — and is the majority whip for the House Democratic Caucus.

“He’s a very energetic and capable leader,” said Long Thompson, who made the announcement Monday at Clark Regional Airport in Sellersburg.

Long Thompson said she chose Oxley from a long list of viable Democrats in part because Thompson believes he can lead Indiana if called upon.

The candidates touched on gas prices and the economy, with Oxley saying he was encouraged that Long Thompson supported his plan to suspend sales taxes on fuel.

“We will turn our economy around and be a strong voice for all Hoosiers,” Oxley said. “We need a governor who is in touch with the people of this state.”

Oxley supported legislation of House democrats in 2007 that initially was aimed at repealing the state sales tax on gasoline, according to a report from The Associated Press. The House passed a scaled-back bill capping the tax for anything more than $2.25 per gallon, but the legislation died in the Senate.

Long Thompson wants lawmakers to cap the sales tax on gasoline at any price of more than $2.75 per gallon, an AP article stated.

The duo criticized Daniels’ approach to economics, saying 30,000 jobs were lost this year in Indiana from January to April. Long Thompson promised to make Oxley a more intricate figure “to a much greater degree” in government actions.

“Dennie will be very involved in economic development,” she said.

Oxley and Long Thompson also spoke about the importance of education and helping local municipalities.

“We’re going to work to strengthen the hands of our local government,” Long Thompson said.

Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan introduced Long Thompson by saying it’s time for a change in Indiana.

“She is a very good candidate because she knows the issues and she’s willing to challenge the current governor,” Galligan said.

Long Thompson was scheduled to make six stops around the state Monday to announce Oxley as her running mate, being flown to each destination by her husband, Don Thompson, who is a commercial pilot.

Oxley’s role likely will be confirmed during the Indiana State Democratic Convention on Saturday. Long Thompson — who lives in Marshall County in north-central Indiana — defeated Jim Schellinger in the primary, but lost the southern portion of the state to her challenger.

Oxley did not say when he would step down from his position in the House, but commented “the stakes are quiet simply too high” not to accept the nomination.