State Sen. Eddie Melton, a Gary Democrat, will be joined by Indiana Republican schools chief Jennifer McCormick at five town hall meetings across the state as he explores a run for the governor’s office.

Melton said McCormick, who’s state superintendent of public instruction, will appear with him at five stops, with the sole local joint appearance from 4 to 6 p.m. July 30 at a yet-to-be-announced location in Hammond.

Their first joint appearance is July 11 in Indianapolis.

Their bipartisan alliance, announced Monday, provoked a quick rebuke from state Republican leaders. GOP state chairman Kyle Hupfer said the joint appearances confirmed rumors that McCormick was auditioning for a new job, possibly as the lieutenant governor nominee on the Democrat ticket in 2020.

Hupfer questioned McCormick’s party allegiance.

“After being on stage at our Republican Conventions in 2016 and 2018, running on GOP ideals in 2016 and accepting campaign aid from thousands of Republican Party supporters across the state, it begs the question whether Jennifer McCormick is still a Republican. I’m sure someone will ask her that soon,” Hupfer said in a statement.

Locally, Melton has scheduled a solo appearance from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Greater First Baptist Church, 4862 Olcott Ave., East Chicago; 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Roots Organic Juice Cafe, 108 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso.

In June, Melton, 38, announced the formation of an exploratory committee and a statewide listening tour as he assesses whether to run for the Democratic nomination in a race that likely pits the winner against Gov. Eric Holcomb in November 2020.

Holcomb hasn’t announced plans to seek reelection yet, but has amassed a sizable campaign coffer and he’s scheduled an announcement July 13 in Knightstown. Melton is the lone Democrat who’s announced an exploratory committee. State Rep. Karlee Macer, D-Indianapolis, and businessman Woody Myers are weighing entering the race.

Education will be one of the centerpieces of Melton’s campaign, if he decides to run. He’s been a critic of GOP education measures and an ally to teachers unions. He announced his exploratory campaign at the Gary Teachers Union on June 4.

Both Melton and McCormick spoke out against Republicans’ handling of education issues, including the looming teacher shortage. Melton dissed the creation of a Teacher Pay Commission that doesn’t include teachers.

Both have been critical of the GOP’s expansion of voucher programs for private schools. McCormick has said voucher money shouldn’t go to schools that discriminate. She supported a failed measure to open private schools to everyone, including the LGBTQ community.

McCormick also spoke out in opposition to increased teacher training measures.

“Indiana needs more statewide leaders who value the voices of practitioners and community stakeholders, as demonstrated by Sen. Eddie Melton,” she said in a statement. “This next election will direct the future of our state for generations to come. Decisions regarding the education of our children must be at the very heart of that future.”

Melton called McCormick, who’s finishing her firstterm, an advocate for Indiana students and families.

“Indiana is at a crossroads,” Melton said in a statement. “We can either make the investments needed to innovate and shape our future, or continue to remain in neutral as we refuse to transition into the new global economy and continue to politicize our education system.”

McCormick stunned some Republicans when she opted not to seek reelection. Earlier this year, the GOP-dominated legislature passed a bill making the post an appointed one beginning in 2021. The education chief would be appointed by the governor.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter.