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INDIANAPOLIS — State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick is taking some heat from some of her fellow Republicans for teaming up with Democrat State Senator Eddie Melton for what he calls a listening tour across the state.

The tour is taking them to 16 cities across Indiana where they are listening to teachers, parents, school administrators and many other people who are associated with educating the state’s young people. 

Melton is considering a run for governor next year.

That’s also why some GOP state lawmakers are criticizing McCormick, who is planning to step down as state superintendent at the end of her term, for working with Melton.

“It’s very limited from what I’m hearing. Part of that came from, obviously, from party leadership and questioned my loyalty,” McCormick said. “That’s one of those comments that I’ve been very clear … it doesn’t even require a response.”

Melton praises McCormick’s bipartisanship.

“I’ve been working with Dr. McCormick the entire time she’s been in the legislature. She’s committed to children,” Melton said. “That’s the number one priority. I commend her and her leadership. She has not stooped down to get into the weeds in debating individuals that are questioning her.”

The pair has already held listening sessions in Indianapolis, Evansville, Fort Wayne, and South Bend. The topics have most centered around education, but Melton said they’ve also been able to talk healthcare, jobs, and teacher pay.

“So far, we’ve been hearing a lot from individuals in the Republican Party. That have been very interested in looking at new and fresh ideas. And also individuals looking to bring that civility and that camaraderie back as a state,” Melton said.

The tour with McCormick stops in Hammond on Tuesday and Bloomington on Thursday.

WISH-TV contributed to this article

(PHOTO: WIBC)