U.S. Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly is hoping his work on behalf of veterans and his efforts to fight the opioid epidemic will convince Hoosiers to vote for him.
Donnelly announced his plans to seek re-election over the weekend, stopping again Monday at a worker’s union chapter in Anderson, Indiana. It’s the first stop on his six-day RV tour.
During his speech, Donnelly addressed Indiana’s workforce, issues surrounding veterans and the armed forces, and the scale of the state’s opioid epidemic.
“This is a fight we’re in with our governor, with our legislature, with our towns, with our cities, with our counties,” Donnelly says. “Because every person is way too important to lose.”
Donnelly received a standing ovation when he said there was no place for white supremacy, neo-Nazis and the KKK in the country.
“It doesn’t matter what race you are. It doesn’t matter what religion you are. Doesn’t matter what gender you are,” he says. “Because we are all red, white and blue. We are in this together.”
Donnelly is finishing his first term in the Senate. Six Republicans have announced their intentions to run for the seat in 2018.