Pence’s run for governor leaves 6th District race wide open

This is the second part of a two part series, “Meet the Candidates,” in which the Indiana Daily Student profiles the candidates for the 2012 6th Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives.

The district is currently the seat of Republican Mike Pence. In May, Pence decided to run for governor of Indiana.

Without an incumbent, many citizens have thrown their hat into the race to represent the 6th District in Washington, D.C.

The Republican candidates include: Don Bates, Jr., John Hatter, Luke Messer, TJ Thompson and Travis Hankins. Thompson and Hankins were profiled in the Thursday, July 21 edition of the IDS.  

Don Bates, Jr.
Campaign website:
www.batesforcongress.com

Ran for U.S. Senate in 2010.

Financial adviser in Richmond, Ind.
As a financial adviser for the past 15 years, Don Bates, Jr. said he understands the importance a strong fiscal policy has for both a person and a society.

Presently, he said the United States’ rate of spending is unsustainable. He stressed that unless Washington changes its spending habits, U.S. financial health remains in question.

Bates said the financial problems the United States presently faces are ultimately one of spending, not revenue streams.

As a congressman, Bates said he would push for members of Congress to take a 5 percent pay cut. “There is a major disconnect between Hoosiers and politicians in Washington,” Bates said. “Politicians have forgotten whose money they are spending.”

John Hatter
Campaign Website:
www.hatterforcongress.com

Served in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Executive Director of Human Resources at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Columbus campus.

John Hatter said his campaign’s core message is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government.

“The deficit spending is negatively impacting us as a nation,” Hatter said.

Congress has a unique role to play in streamlining and cutting programs where they should be cut, he said. Some national entitlement programs like Social Security should not escape reform.

However, Hatter said individuals who are currently retired or soon to retire should not expect a change in their benefits.

“We don’t want to change the rules in the middle of the game,” Hatter said.

“Social Security is a promise. I would not want those who are currently retired or getting ready to retire to suffer from some sort of change in the system,” he said.

Luke Messer
Campaign Website:
www.lukemesser.com

Currently Executive Director of Hoosiers for Economic Growth.

Former Executive Director for the Indiana Republican Party. Former state representative for Shelby and Bartholomew counties.

Ran for U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 5th District in 2010.

Despite repeated inquires, the IDS was unable to speak to either Luke Messer or someone connected to his campaign.

We hope in the future to meet with him and provide him the opportunity to address his concerns for the state and the nation in this forum.

The Democratic candidates are Lane Siekman and Jim Crone. Crone was profiled in the July 21 edition of the IDS.

Lane Siekman
Campaign website:
www.laneforcongress.com

Ran for Indiana State Senate in 1990.

Executive Director for the Ohio County Economic Development Corporation.

Attorney in Rising Sun, Ind.

Siekman said the core message of his congressional campaign is the economy and jobs.

“We have to take steps to make sure we continue moving forward to recovery. I would like to see our country reinvest in infrastructure, reinvest in education, reinvest in the people.”

Siekman said he would support legislation that would strengthen the financial situation of people with lower to middle incomes.

“The middle class has seen a decline in income for the last 10, 20 years,” Siekman said.

“We need to stimulate demand in this economy, and we need to see the middle class grow their incomes.”