FOX 28 Political Analyst Patrick Pierce is weighing on the State Democrat's power-shift. Professor Pierce says the ouster of Rep. Patrick Bauer of South Bend as Minority Lear is "a huge change."
Pierce says the decision was probably more about elections than governance. He says things haven't been going well for the Democratic team, so they likely felt it was time to get rid of the "coach."
"This is a normal response in any party when you're facing all kinds of electoral problems," Pierce says.
Pierce says Representative Bauer has held a lot of power over the years. "This is not good for South Bend and the area," says Professor Pierce. "Precisely because he's been such an effective Speaker in the House, that's brought benefits over time to the area."
The South Bend Republican Party is responding to Bauer's Ouster. "I'll echo what [Republican State Chairman] Eric Holcomb said: If this stands, we are sad to see him go. Bauer was the political gift that kept on giving for Republicans across the state," says Executive Director Jake Teshka.
The Republicans add they hope the new leadership will be quote "more willing to work with the Republican majority."
