Democrat Gregg names legislator as running mate

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Democrat John Gregg's choice of a female state lawmaker as his running mate in what's expected to be a fierce rematch against Indiana Gov. Mike Pence comes as little surprise. Since 2004, both Republicans and Democrats have included male and female candidates together on their gubernatorial tickets.

But political observers say Wednesday's announcement that Indianapolis state Rep. Christina Hale will join Gregg on the ticket is nonetheless a savvy move after Pence bucked this nascent tradition, selecting Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb to finish the term of 2012 Pence running mate Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, who resigned in March.

"It's always a good move to put a female on the ticket - especially to contrast with Pence substituting Holcomb for Ellspermann," said Paul Helmke, a former Republican mayor of Fort Wayne who is now a public affairs professor at Indiana University. "He's making the point that Pence dropped a woman from the ticket so he's putting one on."

Both Gregg and Hale say gender had little to do with her selection.

"I just plan to get to work and talk about the issues that face Indiana," Hale said after she was formally announced as Gregg's choice for lieutenant governor. "I'm not sure that our respective genders are that relevant."

Still, pollsters say Pence scores poorly among suburban women, including Republicans. That's a demographic group that could play a key role in an election that's expected to hinge on the suburban vote.

A former Kiwanis International executive, Hale has been a vocal advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse during her time in the Legislature. The Michigan City native was also a single mom at 19 and says she worked hard and "got some breaks" that led to her becoming a lawmaker despite people who told her "face it Christina you're always going to be a loser."

Hale played up these biographical details Wednesday before quickly taking aim at Pence, saying his actions as governor had hurt the state's progress and that she would work with Gregg to move Indiana "beyond the gaffes of the past four years."

"Now, of late, we've been driven by one man's ideology," she said. "But we can't let one person's personal ideology define Indiana's future, even when that person is our governor."

Pence has faced criticism over his handling of a religious objections law that he signed last year and a new law this year that bans abortions sought because of fetal genetic abnormalities.

What remains to be seen is just how much a candidate for lieutenant governor can help Gregg's cause in a reliably Republican state.

Pence issued a statement congratulating Hale on her selection, while forecasting a lively campaign as both sides have started airing television commercials and already combined to raise more than $18 million.

"We welcome her to the race and look forward to a spirited debate about continuing Indiana's job growth and soaring economic future," Pence said.

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Jeff Cardwell touted business investment in the state under Pence and said there will now be a discussion with "the Clinton/Gregg/Hale ticket regarding Indiana's continued economic success."

Pence narrowly beat Gregg in 2012, winning with just under 50 percent of the statewide vote.

Hale's nomination will be formally approved during next month's state Democratic Party convention.