GOP Continues War on Daugherty
JUNE 12, 2024
The Indiana GOP escalated the war against Michael Daugherty today by making it clear that he is not welcome anywhere at their convention this weekend. Daugherty was recruited by Lieutenant Governor candidate Micah Beckwith to work at Beckwith’s booth at the convention until party heads told Beckwith that Daugherty was not welcome.
The escalating hostility toward Daugherty started in February when Vanderburgh GOP chair Mike Duckworth challenged Daugherty’s eligibility to run for Precinct Committeeman and convention delegate. Duckworth lost the challenge, allowing Daugherty’s name to appear on the primary ballot.
Daugherty and other Republicans called for Duckworth to resign or be removed from office.
On May 7, Daugherty won both PC and convention delegates, but after the election board certified the results, Duckworth filed complaints with the 8th Congressional District Committee against Daugherty, Ken Colbert, and Cheryl Batteiger-Smith. Each of the three was a vocal critic of Duckworth.
The outcome of the hearing was removal from his PC position, and he was named a Republican in bad standing until 2030. An additional hearing was called at the state GOP offices in Indianapolis to remove Daugherty’s and Colbert’s convention credentials.
How long will it be before the GOP’s war on Daugherty moves from the secrecy of the party with all of its murky rules into the courtroom, where the rule of law will prevail?
