Garton wielded power for 26 years
By Mary Beth Schneider mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com
One of the longest political careers in Indiana will end this year after Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, R-Columbus, lost his bid for a 10th four-year term Tuesday.
As a senator since 1970 and Senate leader since 1980, Garton has been a powerful figure in Indiana government. Here's a quick look at his political career:
• 1968: Makes first run for political office, running for Congress against Democrat Lee Hamilton. He lost.
• 1969: Is named chairman of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
• 1970: Beats incumbent state Sen. James Young in the primary, and in November is elected to the Indiana Senate. He was re-elected every four years until this year.
• 1977: Sponsors and votes for the Equal Rights Amendment, which passes the Indiana General Assembly.
• 1980: Elected president pro tempore of the Indiana Senate.
• 1991: In an angry exchange near the end of the legislative session, Garton calls House Speaker Mike Phillips, D-Boonville, a "Boonville blowfish" after Phillips calls him an unprintable name.
• 1993: Lets riverboat gambling be amended into the budget bill, thus becoming law -- something he later called his biggest legislative regret.
• 1995: In August, Garton launches a campaign for the Republican nomination for governor in an already crowded field. He withdrew that December.
• 2002: Helps secure an additional $4 million a year to reduce the DNA testing backlog at the Indiana State Police lab.
• 2005: Gets an ARC of Indiana lifetime achievement award for his work for Hoosiers with special needs. Persuades the state to keep open the Hope license branch, which the Bureau of Motor Vehicles had slated for closure, along with more than 20 others.
• 2006: Comes under fire for not ending a generous health insurance package for senators and some staff, while the House decides to end the benefits. On the last night of the session, he is blamed by some for not making anti-abortion bills a priority for a vote as time runs out and the bills die.
Primaries are the best way to shut down the RINOs, I think, because they have such a low turnout usually. If we get the base out we can win the victories where they count, in the primary! Of course we need viable conservative candidates to do it.