IndyStar.com - Rokita Wins in Crowded Republican Field

News Article

By Chris Sikich

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita will take a fundraising lead and name recognition into the fall race to succeed fellow Republican Steve Buyer in the 4th Congressional District.

Running in a crowded GOP primary, he separated himself from the field.
Advertisement

With 97 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, Rokita had 41 percent of the vote in a 13-candidate field. The 40-year-old Indianapolis resident is finishing his second four-year term as Indiana secretary of state this year.

He will face Democrat David Sanders, 49, a Purdue University biologist, who won his party's nomination. Sanders had 48 percent of the vote late Tuesday with 92 percent of precincts reporting.

Sanders lost to Buyer in 2006, getting 37 percent of the vote, but thinks he can make more headway this year.

"I feel very good about my chances," Sanders said.

"I think it's going to be a year when people are seriously considering whether career politicians are the people they want to vote for."

Rokita celebrated with campaign supporters at a Plainfield hotel.

"Our campaign continues to carry the message of limited government, deficit and debt reduction throughout the 4th District and all the way to Washington, D.C., because they are not listening now," he said.

"The best way to create jobs in the 4th District and this country is to get government out of the way so the private sector can go about the business of creating jobs."

Among 13 Republican candidates, Rokita faced two state senators, Brandt Hershman and Michael Young, who had 15 percent and 9 percent of the vote.

Buyer, R-Monticello, announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election after 18 years in the House. He's leaving office to spend time with his wife, who has an incurable auto-immune disease.

Rokita also was the front-runner in terms of fundraising, with $176,101 left of $315,603 raised through April 14.

Sanders has raised $108,278.

Zionsville resident Desma Way, 80, had a tough time choosing a Republican candidate. But in the end, she tabbed Rokita.

"I couldn't decide," Way said, joking: "I guess I'm old and confused."

Outside Zionsville Town Hall on Tuesday, many voters thought Rokita had the most name recognition. Susan Berry, 45, saw his TV advertisements and fliers. She hopes he can take care of the "mess" in Washington, including a more conservative approach to health care.

Patricia Martin-Brown, 63, Zionsville, voted for Rokita, saying it was a close call between him and Hershman. She likes Rokita's track record, including working to strengthen voter identification laws.

"He's not afraid to step up and speak out," she said.

Source