Politics on Parade
The Marion County Republicans are accusing the Democrats of playing politics with the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. MCGOP Executive Director Mike Biberstine put out a news release Friday (with photos) of Democratic County Prosecutor candidate Melina Kennedy marching in the parade with “Kennedy for Prosecutor” campaign literature.
In the GOP news release it says “The rules for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade ran by the Indianapolis Athletic Club clearly state that this is a non-partisan parade. The rules specifically state that there will be no political campaign literature or promotional materials may be handed out on the Parade route. No campaign signs are allowed. This ensures that the Indy Sports Foundation is compliant with the Internal Revenue Service regulation regarding 501 c3 organizations. Melina Kennedy not only walked in the parade violating the bold faced section of the rules, but had people walking with Melina Kennedy for Prosecutor stickers and used a load speaker to promote her campaign.”
Republican candidate Carl Brizzi did march in the parade also, but campaign spokesman Matt Symons said Brizzi marched in a governmental capacity as County Prosecutor and not as a candidate. He says the individuals marching in the parade were volunteers and there was no campaign literature anywhere.
Democratic political consultant Mike O’Connor said his initial reaction was “Tell them to have a beer and lighten up.” He also told me “There’s a long tradition of candidates crashing the parade. They didn’t unveil banners or hand out t-shirts. The Republicans should have more important things to worry about.”
