Dyngus Day politicking in South Bend

April 10, 2012

I spent most of Monday covering Dyngus Day politicking in South Bend. I’m not Polish or from South Bend so this was my first Dyngus Day experience. The day marks the unofficial start to the campaign season and drew several statewide candidates to the city. It was a long day, but a fun day as I got to shoot quite a bit of politicking amid smells of cooking Polish sausages.

John Gregg, a former Indiana House speaker, watches the proceedings during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Gregg is running for Indiana governor. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks to the media before a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. — U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks to the media before a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

The Rev. Leonard Chrobot blesses the crowd during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — The Rev. Leonard Chrobot blesses the crowd during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Swoop, the South Bend Silver Hawks mascot, walks the crowd with a Brendan Mullen sticker during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Mullen is seeking the Indiana's 2nd congressional district seat. — Swoop, the South Bend Silver Hawks mascot, walks the crowd with a Brendan Mullen sticker during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Mullen is seeking the Indiana’s 2nd congressional district seat. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., smiles as he prepares to address the audience during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. — U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., smiles as he prepares to address the audience during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Supporters wear stickers for Democratic candidates as they enjoy beverages during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Supporters wear stickers for Democratic candidates as they enjoy beverages during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

A supporter wears stickers supporting Democratic candidates during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — A supporter wears stickers supporting Democratic candidates during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Shotsie Karasiak, left, prepares a traditional Polish meals during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Shotsie Karasiak, left, prepares a traditional Polish meals during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Traditional Polish feast consisting of sweet cabbage, noodles and polish sausage, wait for patrons on a table during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Traditional Polish feast consisting of sweet cabbage, noodles and polish sausage, wait for patrons on a table during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Indiana House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, speaks during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Indiana House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, speaks during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Campaign signs adorn a wall during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Campaign signs adorn a wall during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., shakes hands during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. — U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., shakes hands during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

A campaign shirt for Brendan Mullen, a Democrat who is seeking Indiana's 2nd congressional district seat, hangs from the ceiling during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — A campaign shirt for Brendan Mullen, a Democrat who is seeking Indiana’s 2nd congressional district seat, hangs from the ceiling during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Andre Gammage, running for probate court judge, waves during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Andre Gammage, running for probate court judge, waves during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Campaign posters adorn a wall of the West Side Democratic Club during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, in South Bend. — Campaign posters adorn a wall of the West Side Democratic Club during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

A John Gregg supporter wears a bumper sticker in his hat during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Gregg, a Democrat, is running for Indiana governor. — A John Gregg supporter wears a bumper sticker in his hat during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Gregg, a Democrat, is running for Indiana governor. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

John Gregg, a former Indiana House speaker, watches the action during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Gregg is the Democratic candidate for Indiana governor. — John Gregg, a former Indiana House speaker, watches the action during Dyngus Day on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. Gregg is the Democratic candidate for Indiana governor. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Supporters for John Gregg, the Democratic candidate for Indiana governor, wear fake mustaches during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. — Supporters for John Gregg, the Democratic candidate for Indiana governor, wear fake mustaches during Dyngus Day on April 9, 2012, at the West Side Democratic Club in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

A set of miniature elephants adorn a shelf during a Dyngus Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. — A set of miniature elephants adorn a shelf during a Dyngus Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., talks to supporters before a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. — U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., talks to supporters before a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks to the media before a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. — U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks to the media before a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Yard signs for Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who is seeking to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar in the Republican primary, stand next to a tour bus after a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. — Yard signs for Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who is seeking to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar in the Republican primary, stand next to a tour bus after a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Jackie Walorski watches as U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks during a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Walorksi is running for Indiana's 2nd congressional district seat previously held by Joe Donnelly. — Jackie Walorski watches as U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks during a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Walorksi is running for Indiana’s 2nd congressional district seat previously held by Joe Donnelly. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Campaign materials for Jackie Walorski, seeking Indiana's 2nd congressional district seat, and Richard Pfeil, a candidate for state representative, adorns a table during a Dyngus Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. — Campaign materials for Jackie Walorski, seeking Indiana’s 2nd congressional district seat, and Richard Pfeil, a candidate for state representative, adorns a table during a Dyngus Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks to supporters during a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. — U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., speaks to supporters during a Dyngus Day rally on Monday, April 9, 2012, outside of the St. Joseph County Republican headquarters in South Bend. Pence is running for Governor of Indiana. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., enters Elks Lodge No. 298 for a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. — U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., enters Elks Lodge No. 298 for a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

A sign for Andre Gammage, a candidate for probate court judge, adorns a wall above the bar during a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at Elks Lodge No. 298 in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. — A sign for Andre Gammage, a candidate for probate court judge, adorns a wall above the bar during a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at Elks Lodge No. 298 in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., speaks during a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at Elks Lodge No. 298 in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. — U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., speaks during a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at Elks Lodge No. 298 in South Bend. Donnelly is running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican incumbent Richard Lugar. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

Supporters talk during a speech by Brendan Mullen, a Democrat who is seeking Indiana's 2nd congressional district seat, during a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at Elks Lodge No. 298 in South Bend. — Supporters talk during a speech by Brendan Mullen, a Democrat who is seeking Indiana’s 2nd congressional district seat, during a Solidarity Day event on Monday, April 9, 2012, at Elks Lodge No. 298 in South Bend. (James Brosher/South Bend Tribune)

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