Gregg to name Sen. Simpson as running mate

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - John Gregg, Democrat candidate for governor, has settled on his choice for a running mate and will announce it Tuesday afternoon. That's when he will name state Sen. Vi Simpson as his choice for lieutenant governor.

Simpson once ran for governor herself. The Ellettsville lawmaker is now the minority leader in the state Senate. She is a lawyer with business experience, credentials that will compete with those of Sue Ellspermann, added Monday to the Republican ticket as lieutenant governor candidate .

Ellspermann was named as Mike Pence's choice for lieutenant governor Monday, and then immediately fielded questions about voting as a Democrat in the 2008 primary when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were on the ballot here. She won't say who she voted for. It was a time when Rush Limbaugh was asking Republicans to go and vote for Clinton.

"No, it had nothing to do with Rush Limbaugh," she said. "This was a personal decision as a Hoosier and as an American."

Pence also weighed in.

"Her decision to take a Democratic primary ballot in the last election is something that I respect," he said, noting it proves that she's not a career politician, which he called refreshing.

Ellspermann is a first-term state representative who leads a business incubator at the University of Southern Indiana. She also has a PhD and private business experience.

Gregg, Pence and Libertarian Rupert Boneham are running in the November general election. Gov. Mitch Daniels is barred from seeking a third term.

Boneham has already selected his running mate, Brad Klopfenstein.