The Indiana Democratic Party spent the last month “on offense,” touring the state to promote the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief package, the American Rescue Plan.

The events signal a shift in strategy from a party struggling to gain statewide relevance.

Democrats held more than two dozen events across the state. Some were in traditional Democratic strongholds, while others were in rural Indiana, where Republicans have dominated.

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl said that was intentional.

“We were able to organize with counties across the state, counties that wanted to kind of get out, knock the rust off and start to organize in their communities and reach out to volunteers and strong Democrats,” Schmuhl said.

Schmuhl said the message he heard most often: how are you going to help rebuild the party?

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“What resources, what tools, what infrastructure, what vision, what message – you know, what can you do to help us jumpstart activity in our county?” Schmuhl said.

Democrats are also starting another statewide tour, this time focused on the Biden administration’s proposed infrastructure bill.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.