Faith Leader Urges Dems to Change Leadership
Source: (PHOTO: Abdul-Hakim Shabazz/WIBC)
INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis faith-based organizations say the state’s Democratic Party is overlooking the urban vote.
Leaders from the Baptist Minister’s Alliance and Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis argue the party needs new leadership and a fresh direction. They believe current party president Mike Schmuhl has put forward weak candidates and focused resources on areas where Democrats are unlikely to win.
“The party is fractured in reaching out to some Democrats but not all,” said Reverend David Greene, Sr., president of Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis. “They don’t spend time in Indianapolis, Gary, Fort Wayne, or South Bend; they’re much more focused on rural areas, which are a huge Republican base.”
As Democrats look to rebrand for future elections, President-elect Donald Trump’s strong victory has had ripple effects down the ballot in Indiana. Greene, Sr. says the party needs to think outside the box and engage faith-based leaders to find a new path forward.
“In my opinion, they need to be intentional about building a faith-based coalition that can be an extension of the party,” Greene said.
He also noted that the only statewide Democratic candidate to engage his organization was Jennifer McCormick, the Democratic candidate for governor. Greene urged Democrats to stop taking the urban vote for granted.
