INDIANAPOLIS — Depending on who you ask, the Indiana economy is either in great shape or slowly getting worse, and the argument has taken center stage in the Hoosier gubernatorial race.
The thrust of the argument comes down to one question: Should voters be looking at jobs or wages?
John Gregg, the Democratic nominee for governor, launched his campaign's first television ad over the weekend. The ad focused exclusively on the Hoosier economy, specifically how, he says, the middle class is being squeezed because of stagnant wages and an ever-rising cost of living.
"Politicians say there are more jobs, but your pocketbook tells you the truth," Gregg says in the ad. "Wages aren't keeping up."
It's a theme the state Democratic party has been hammering at for awhile now. They say just because jobs are up doesn't mean the economy is better. Democrats want people to focus on wages, which they say aren't on par with the national average.
In a release sent Tuesday, the Democratic party included a statistic from 2015 saying Hoosiers make about 86 cents on the dollar compared with the rest of the nation. Other factors such as cost of living and taxes play a role in how much money a person has, but a person in Ohio working the same job as a friend in Indiana will make more money over the course of a year, the release stated.
"While Mike Pence likes to tout various ranks and ratings, the only numbers Hoosier workers care about are their wages," state Democratic Party chairman John Zody said. "And under Mike Pence's leadership, they continue to fall."
Less than a day after Gregg's campaign released its ad, Pence's team answered with a video of its own, touting the governor's success in creating jobs. The advertisement reminds viewers unemployment has dropped significantly since Pence became governor and more companies are moving to, or expanding in, Indiana.
"With Mike Pence as governor, Indiana's economy continues to soar," the ad says.
Pence supporters point to Friday's announcement that Salesforce would expand in Indianapolis, investing $40 million into the city and promising 800 new jobs by 2021. Republicans were quick to announce the move as a sign Indiana's economy is on the right track and is moving on from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act controversy of 2015.
"Today's outstanding commitment from Salesforce proves without a doubt that Indiana is now the Midwest hub for technology and innovation," Pence said Friday. "Global leaders like Salesforce have a world of options to consider for growth, and I am excited that the Salesforce team has once again selected the Hoosier state."
Last week, Pence celebrated Indiana's fifth-place finish in a new Chief Executive list ranking the best states for business. Among 12 Midwest states, Indiana came in first as executives praised the Hoosier state's low corporate tax and workforce quality.
"Indiana ... has consistently ranked in the top three in offering not just competitive incentives for business, but also packages that improve the skill sets to hire a qualified, work-ready workforce," one CEO in the study said.
But even that study showcases the divide that currently exists between the Republicans and Democrats and highlights why the economic debate won't be going away in the six-month lead-up to November election. While Indiana is great for attracting businesses — which Pence touts — the study says Indiana continues to struggle with "sluggish" income growth — the very thing Democrats are complaining about.
While there are plenty of other factors that will play a role in the race between Gregg and Pence, the economy is shaping up to be the biggest. Where voters come down on the issue will likely determine if Pence gets another four years or if Gregg becomes Indiana's first Democratic governor since Joe Kernan.