Oct 24

Opinion: A Letter to Democrats and Kamala Harris Supporters:

A CALL TO KAMALA HARRIS VOTERS

To the Democratic voters in St. Joseph County, it is essential to approach the ballot box with open eyes. While I am not here to dissuade you from supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, I urge you to critically evaluate the candidates you endorse after making that choice. Blindly voting a straight Democratic ticket in St Joseph County poses a risk, particularly when it means backing individuals such as Jason Cichowicz, a probate judge suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court for 45 days due to "Extremely Serious Judicial Misconduct", and David Niezgodski, a State Senator recently embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal and its subsequent cover-up.

In St. Joseph County's 2023 general election, Democrats received a commanding 66.49% of straight-ticket ballots, amounting to 5,931 votes. This overwhelming support ushered in a Democratic sweep in South Bend, securing all nine Democratic City Council Members, a Democratic City Clerk, and a Democratic Mayor. However, this political hegemony has precipitated a troubling collapse in effective governance. South Bend officials have become notoriously unresponsive, ignoring emails, phone calls, and even queries posed during Council Meetings. South Bend's Clerk's Office echoes this indifference, while the Mayor continues to remain elusive and dismissive of his constituents.

This dysfunction highlights the critical need for accountability and dynamic representation in our local political landscape. Without it, our community faces severe governance challenges.

** I was prompted to write this article after numerous SJC Democrats approached me for guidance on where crossing party lines might benefit the community. Below are some carefully considered recommendations that aim to enhance governance and serve the best interests of our community. I must emphasize that neither any candidate nor political party is aware that I am composing this and advocating for the following cross-party voting. The recommendations for cross-party voting herein reflect solely my personal viewpoints, based on the analysis set forth in this document. **

If this is too long and you do not want to read the entire document, the recommendations are:

Loris Zappia (R) - Judge of Probate Court

Todd Rokita (R) - Indiana Attorney General

Tim Cotton (L) - State Senate District 10

Charlie Florance (L) - IN House of Rep District 6

ST JOSEPH COUNTY JUDGE OF PROBATE COURT

Recommendation: Vote Loris Zappia (R) over Incumbent Jason Cichowicz (D)

The Indiana Supreme Court has imposed a 45-day suspension on Jason Cichowicz, the current St Joseph County Judge of Probate Court and a member of the Democratic Party, citing "Serious Judicial Misconduct." Jason Cichowicz was also named in a Bank of America lawsuit where Bank of America suspected Cichowicz of "elder financial abuse." The allegations against the incumbent judge are nearly a mile long. If you are a Kamala Harris voter, and you are voting for Harris because you believe her opponents misconduct is gross and he does not deserve to hold office, how can you in good conscience vote for Jason Cichowicz?

REDRESS SOUTH BEND

09/04/24 Part 1: Is Judge Jason Cichowicz' Re-Election Just a 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card?

09/05/24 Part 2: Probate Judge Jason Cichowicz, Michael Misch, Money Laundering Claims, and Judicial Integrity

09/23/24 The Unintended Cost of Judge Jason Cichowicz' "Bridge Link" Program

09/26/24 Mishawaka Denies Endorsement of Judge Jason Cichowicz

09/29/24 “Believe Women” (Unless They Accuse A Democrat of Misconduct)

10/01/24 Democrat and GOP Leaders Unite in Call for Judge Jason Cichowicz' Resignation and Accountability

10/03/24 BREAKING: Probate Judge Jason Cichowicz Sues Former Councilman Henry Davis Jr Over South Bend Tribune Article.

10/09/24 BREAKING: Judge Jason Cichowicz’ Bridge Link Program Tied to Second Known Fatality

10/14/24 EXCLUSIVE: Henry Davis Jr. Discusses Jason Cichowicz, Recent News Coverage, and More!

INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Recommendation: Vote For Incumbent Todd Rokita (R) over Destiny Wells (D)

In recent weeks, Attorney General Todd Rokita has been vocal by insisting that local police departments and sheriffs strictly enforce immigration laws. Earlier this month, Rokita claimed that due to some law enforcement agencies not adhering to ICE detainer requests, "individuals who were subject to those detainers committed crimes posing direct threats to public safety." The choice between Rokita and Wells could be pivotal in determining the future stance on safe cities versus sanctuary cities.

Rokita's opponent, Destiny Wells, criticized Rokita's recent moves as a political stunt meant to "score cheap political points" rather than address genuine safety concerns, echoing similar sentiments often expressed by South Bend's Mayor James Mueller and other local Democrats on matters of crime and safety. When former Councilman Henry Davis Jr. presented evidence of racist voicemails, which sparked an FBI investigation, Mayor James Mueller's office commented on the sensitive situation with "(this is) a new level of political theater from former Councilmember Davis and his political team." If Wells perceives action to make Hoosier families safer as a way to "score cheap political points" it questions her suitability to receive our vote.

Read about Rokita's recent actions below:

10/16/24 - Indiana Attorney General Addresses Non-Compliance Claims Against Local Sheriff's Bill Redman and Oscar Martinez

10/24/24 - Indiana AG Launches Probe into SBPD's Immigration Policies

INDIANA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 10

Recommendation: Vote Tim Cotton (Libertarian) over Incumbent David Niezgodski (D)

On April 12th, 2024, Redress South Bend reported allegations of sexual misconduct involving Indiana State Senator David Niezgodski. The report claims Niezgodski, who is married, left a voicemail for a female employee, stating: "You better damn well be able to say that you love someone. I love you. I love you in all the right ways. And I've done things in all the right ways. And I've been human along the way. I can't **** defend that... it doesn't matter. Done it in all the right ways. And I love you, don’t leave my life.” Additionally, it is alleged that he sent this employee over 90 text messages within three days.

A complaint filed with the Indiana Democratic Party includes a statement from the victim’s father, claiming: "he would repeatedly call her phone late at night leaving voicemails, drunk, and professing his love for her while begging her to be with him." The complaint also asserts that Niezgodski arrived at the victim's home unannounced, entered her home without permission, and was uninvited. These actions raise serious questions about conduct and respect for boundaries, prompting concerns about the party's stance on supporting women and victims. It begs the question of whether, you, the St. Joseph County Democrats, will take decisive action concerning Niezgodski's misconduct and vote him out of office, preventing further potential abuse towards women.

You can read the full complaint here:

INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 6

Recommendation: Vote Charlie Florance (Libertarian) over Incumbent Maureen Bauer (D)

Incumbent Maureen Bauer has been notably aligned with David Niezgodski. In the South Bend Tribune, Bauer stated, "David and I work really closely together in the legislature..." Despite Niezgodski's involvement in a sexual abuse scandal, Bauer continued her strong support for him, a move that cost her the endorsement of MadVoters. According to WVPE, a MadVoters spokesperson left this comment: "Maureen did have MVP status this year and it has been rescinded because she has not upheld our values. It is about the lack of accountability in dealing with situations that are harmful to constituents when elected officials act in an improper way."

Supporting Maureen Bauer equates to endorsing inaction in the face of sexual abuse allegations. Our community deserves leaders who stand against misconduct and amplify the voices of victims rather than the accused. Bauer was presented with a chance to lead by example but instead turned a blind eye to the victim, the victim's parent, and whistleblowers, ultimately aligning with the accused.