July 15th 2024.
Valerie McCray, a highly experienced psychologist with 35 years of practice, has made history in Indiana as the first Black woman nominee for a U.S. Senate seat. Despite facing a tough competition and trailing in the polls, McCray remains determined to keep pushing forward in her campaign. Many would argue that she is more than qualified to address the systemic issues plaguing the U.S. government, given her expertise in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder among U.S. veterans. However, McCray felt that there was something missing in her work and this sparked her interest in heading to the nation's capital, Washington D.C.
When asked about her decision to run for the Senate, McCray said, "It was a matter of choosing between feeling like I am not enough to go around or going to Washington D.C. to bring about change." She is determined to use her platform to push for important issues such as gun control, health care, and fair wages, in order to reduce the prevalence of these issues in the future. At 65 years old, McCray secured the Democratic nomination in May 2024 and is set to challenge Republican Congressman Jim Banks for the open seat to represent Indiana. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, she led the Democratic primary with an impressive 65% of the statewide vote at the time the race was called. This victory, in McCray's opinion, is a clear indication that the people of Indiana are ready for a change.
However, McCray is well aware that defeating Banks, who has served Indiana's 3rd congressional district since 2017, will not be an easy feat. She acknowledges that it will take a significant amount of resources, hard work, and volunteers to unseat him. McCray first launched her campaign in 2022, but unfortunately, she did not receive enough voter signatures to make it onto the ballot. This time, she made sure to secure the required 4,500 signatures well ahead of time.
Despite the poll numbers from The Hill showing that Banks has a 97% chance of winning Indiana, McCray remains undeterred. Her son, Ryan Ely, believes that her campaign's focus on achieving milestones that have yet to be reached is what will ultimately take her over the top. "Our country is almost 300 years old, yet we have never had a Black woman senator. It's about time we break this barrier," he said.
McCray has a clear vision of the issues she hopes to tackle if elected. She wants to address important matters such as immigration, reproductive rights, and finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a strong advocate for mental and reproductive healthcare, she also hopes to combat women's issues. Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl has expressed his support for McCray, calling her a "lifelong champion." In a statement, he wrote, "Dr. McCray will be a strong voice for women's rights and will work towards codifying Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. This is in stark contrast to her opponent, Jim Banks, who is pushing for a nationwide ban on medication abortion and limiting access to birth control."
In conclusion, McCray's campaign has brought attention to the fact that there are still many barriers for women of color in the political arena. She hopes to be a trailblazer and a voice for change in the Senate. As the election draws near, all eyes are on McCray and her opponent, Jim Banks, as they battle it out for the Senate seat in Indiana.
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