Hoosier Connection: Republican Presidential Candidate Ben Carson Taps Geist Resident Carrie Petty to Head Indiana Campaign

_MG_9699Republican candidate Ben Carson’s poignant message has now become the mission of Geist resident and Hoosier native Carrie Petty, the newly appointed State Director for Dr. Ben Carson’s 2016 Presidential Campaign. Geist Magazine caught up with Petty on her first day on the job at a recent campaign rally in Fort Wayne.

After serving as the former Executive Director for the Indiana Republican Party, she was appointed to the position by Chairman Jeff Cardwell earlier this year. Petty wasn’t looking for a new job. But then Dr. Carson’s team came to Indiana for the Fall Dinner and other events, and “they plucked me out. I heard his name, and I had to go,” Petty says. “I’m just so humbled to be aligned with such a great leader. I’ve known a lot of great leaders in work that I’ve done in the past with Habitat for Humanity and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, but Dr. Carson is unlike anyone I’ve ever met before,” Petty says.

Petty on stage at the Fort Wayne Rally warming up the crowd prior to Dr. Ben Carson.

Bruce Pfaff, Midwest Field Director for Carson’s campaign, is looking forward to working with Petty in his efforts across the Midwest. He says, “Carrie knows folks all over the state, and I think it’s going to be exciting to have her involved. We’re excited that she’s joined our team.”

Aside from her vast experience in philanthropy (Petty holds a degree from the Lilly School of Philanthropy), Petty’s simple motivations make her a great pick for the job. “I’m a fifth generation Hoosier, and I love this state. I love these people. I love everything Indiana’s about!” Petty says.

Petty’s main job is the grassroots effort to get Dr. Carson on the ballot and get him elected for the state of Indiana and the Midwest. Pfaff explains how Dr. Carson’s campaign began as a grassroots movement by outsiders who heard him speak at a prayer breakfast. The group began petitioning thousands of people to support Carson in his bid for President.

Carson thought about it, prayed about it and decided he had to do it to try and help the country. “Our message is heal, inspire and revive. We want to work hard to elect Dr. Carson because he’s got the message to make this country great. Now Carson is the only Republican candidate that beats Hillary Clinton in the Democratic political polling,” Pfaff says.

Petty will pass on her grassroots spirit on to her volunteers. “This is a wonderful state for volunteers, so we have a great group of 80,000 volunteers already in the database, some of whom showed up for the Fort Wayne rally,” Petty says.

Carson’s Hoosier hometown hero and her volunteers have a big job ahead of them in the coming year. Indiana’s Primary election takes place May 3, 2016.

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