 Secretary of State Elect Todd Rokita '92 spoke with Matt Bredefeld ’05 during a campaign stop at the Montgomery Co. Courthouse in Crawfordsville. |
Rokita gave his acceptance speech to a crowded room, of state leaders, many Wabash alumni themselves, saying, "The electorate has cast a vote tonight for real leaders and denounced those politicians that can only tear people down. I will work to continue the reforms Susan and I started and we won’t stop there!" Rokita ran a successful campaign on the issue of election reform. Rokita was one of the Republican party representatives who worked on the recount in Florida during the 2000 Presidential election.
While Rokita captured the state spotlight, many other Wabash Alumni were also at the victory party on Tuesday night, all active in Indiana, Midwestern and national politics also all great advocates for Wabash College. Bob Grand ’78 said of Wabash, "I think it makes you comfortable in any setting, and the emphasis on writing, helps you immensely." Brian Brooks, another Wabash alumni said, "the analytical kills, and political science classes at Wabash helped him succeed." A young Wabash alumni, class of 2001, David Neal, a leader with the Freedom’s Answer Foundation, and with the Indiana Republican party, said of his Wabash education, "I think the biggest thing is; you learn about a broad array of topics, that give you the ability to interact with just about everyone." Neal also spoke of the immense mutual support network of Wabash alumni saying, "You can’t throw a stone in Indy without hitting a Wabash Graduate."
Todd Rokita, himself has also been a major advocate for Wabash, saying, " In all honesty if I didn’t have that Wabash education, mentally there’s no way. Now that I’ve run for statewide office I can do anything." Susan Gilroy the outgoing Secretary of State, a Republican whom Rokita refers to as, "my mentor" disagree on who will win the Monon Bell Classic, Rokita believes Wabash will win, while, Gilroy sides with her alma mater saying, "I have a $5 running bet with a Wabash Alumni, it seems over the years, I’ve paid him more money than he’s paid me, so I think I’m due for a win." Gilroy, publicly endorsed Rokita on many occasions saying, "He is in this race for all the right reasons, he knows his work, he loves the work of the Secretary of State, he’s prepared, he’s prepared himself, and he’s willing to serve. He represents all that’s good about public servants." Gilroy has become one of Rokita’s biggest advocates even stomping for Rokita on the Wabash campus after her chapel talk, "Todd Rokita has run a campaign of great integrity, he has traveled the state for a year now selflessly, and has surrounded himself with young people, that represent new ideas and new energy"
Rokita, while thrilled to win Secretary of State on Tuesday, hasn’t ruled out a run for higher office. Speculation of a Gubernatorial bid abounds, and Rokita, refers to his Wabash education saying, "I have agreed to serve a full term as Secretary of State. After that if the people of Indiana would have me, I’m looking forward to serving in other capacities, A Wabash man always fights!"