Becky Skillman: Why Suzanne Crouch is the right choice for Indiana governor

Many Hoosiers have reached out to me for advice on their vote for governor. As the former lieutenant governor in the Mitch Daniels administration, I have knowledge of not only the candidates, but the skills and competencies necessary to lead our state. I’m always pleased when several qualified Hoosiers step up and offer their service.

I’m supporting Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, whom I’ve known and witnessed in action for many years. In fact, our paths were somewhat parallel, from our early days as elected county officials, to members of the Indiana General Assembly, to statewide elected officials.

Crouch has excelled and made a difference in the lives of Hoosiers at each step along the way.

For the past eight years, Crouch has been traveling into communities throughout Indiana helping grassroots leaders and elected officials with their development plans. She understands the needs, wants and beliefs of our communities, and she will help deliver on these plans.

The lieutenant governor’s role as secretary of agriculture, overseeing the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, frequently takes Crouch out of the statehouse. She not only travels our state to help Indiana companies and communities grow, she has traveled the globe to bring home more opportunities for Hoosiers.

I admire Crouch for her plan to “Axe the Tax," which would eliminate the individual income tax. No one said it would be easy or happen overnight, but I know Crouch, and she is one determined individual. When she makes a commitment, she keeps it, and each of us will be the beneficiaries of her work.

Although Indiana’s lieutenant governor has a portfolio of agencies to oversee, in addition to serving as president of the Indiana Senate, Crouch has gone beyond the constitutional and statutory responsibilities to also focus on the most vulnerable Hoosiers. She will continue to be relentless in her work for our friends and neighbors who suffer from mental health and addiction problems.

For all of these reasons and so many more, I support Suzanne Crouch for Governor. She will serve with distinction and make us proud.

Former Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is the former lieutenant governor of Indiana.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Becky Skillman: Suzanne Crouch can make a difference as Indiana governor