Indianapolis Star

Voters in RV1 design election carry a torch for state's flag

By Matthew Tully
matthew.tully@indystar.com
March 10, 2005
 
The great RV election of 2005 is over. And in the end, balloting wasn't even close.

For nine days, Hoosiers scrutinized the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates -- questioning which of four designs was best qualified to decorate the governor's RV1.

Gov. Mitch Daniels announced the results Wednesday, declaring the RV would be painted a tasteful dark blue, with a gold torch and stars.

Essentially, that means the governor will be driven around the state in a 40-foot rolling replica of the Indiana flag. Also-ran entrants included one with a mural of the Indiana countryside, and two less-bold blue-and-white designs. Daniels said about 6,000 Hoosiers cast ballots over the Internet.

The governor's announcement ends what was perhaps the most closely followed RV paint job election in years.

"We were happy with the turnout," said Jane Jankowski, the governor's spokeswoman.

The winning design collected about 44 percent of the votes cast, finishing nearly 900 votes ahead of the nearest competition. A vote on the IndyStar.com Web site produced similar results.

For Daniels, the election intensified what has become a deep affinity for recreational vehicles.

The new governor won his own election last year after traveling the state for 16 months in a campaign RV.

James McCann, an associate professor of political science at Purdue University, said the RV gave Daniels a populist appeal. When something works for a politician, McCann said, he or she rarely gives it up.

So it was not surprising when Daniels dusted off the RV idea late last month, announcing Monaco Coach Corp. had loaned the state a 3-year-old Beaver Patriot Thunder worth roughly $175,000. He plans to hit the road about once a week in the new RV1, which will be painted in the likeness of the winning design.

Jankowski said the RV will help make Daniels "the most accessible governor ever."