Indiana GOP leaders launch statewide tour for Trump

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indiana Trump campaign is kicking off an unusual campaign tour Thursday. It’s unusual because it will be done without a candidate.

Both Donald Trump and Mike Pence are concentrating their efforts in other states and so party leaders here are hitting the road themselves.

Indiana Trump chairman Rex Early, State GOP Chairman Jeff Cardwell and Trump vice chairman Tony Samuel announced that the three of them will conduct campaign events that are designed to build on get out the vote programs and encourage early voting.

“It’s a nine week tour around the state hitting at least 3 to 4 counties per visit,” said Samuel, “and at least one visit per week, could be more.”

It’s being done because Trump has a big lead in Indiana and the party leaders are hoping to translate that into support for GOP candidates in other races.

“We think it will affect the down ballot ticket all across our state,” said Cardwell, “and so we’re very excited to take this road show and go across, meet with all of our county chairmen in person, our county leaders.”

They will also meet voters at local restaurants and other gathering spots, candidates for state and local offices may join them along the way.

Supporters of Hillary Clinton, meantime, can find out how they can help her campaign Thursday evening. The campaign is holding a get together at its Indianapolis headquarters that is billed as a “state of the race” meeting.