Snow To Face Harris In District 18 Battle After Tuesday Victories
June 3, 2020 at 4:34 a.m.
Snow To Face Harris In District 18 Battle After Tuesday Victories
By David [email protected]
The seat currently is held by Dave Wolkins, who decided to retire at the end of this year after 32 years. The district includes Kosciusko, Wabash and parts of Miami and Grant counties.
Snow faces Democrat Chad Harris, of Wabash, in the November general election.
At the Kosciusko County Republican Party headquarters Tuesday, Snow said it was an exciting but nerve-wracking night for him.
“I didn’t know what to expect with COVID putting us on lockdown. It was very difficult to get out and see people and kind of get an idea of what they think really,” he said.
Early on, he said he made a lot of contacts, especially in Wabash County where he isn’t as well known as in Kosciusko County. He met with many business owners down there and the county’s chamber of commerce.
“And then COVID happened and then it was kind of, I hadn’t talked to anybody for a long time,” Snow said. “The early support of the mayor, Scott Long, down there really helped and Mayor (Joe) Thallemer here in Kosciusko County was a great help. But it wasn’t anything like I expected, but then again I don’t know what to expect, this was my first time doing this.”
He acknowledged that Reahard had name recognition as Reahard ran for the position previously against Wolkins and Reahard is from Wabash County.
“And I have to say Russ worked hard. I know he went door to door in a lot of different communities and saw a lot of people, and so I commend him on that part. I respect him for that,” Snow said, admitting he didn’t do that.
“I’m very thankful for the Farm Bureau endorsement and the Indiana Manufacturers support. I’m a small business owner myself so I really like the small business aspect of it,” Snow said.
Asked if he thought he had a wider appeal than Reahard, Snow said, “I think the wider appeal may come in the sense of my experience of running businesses, in that sense. Experience I think is going to help me in a leadership position at the statehouse. From that standpoint, I think I had a wider appeal.”
Like Snow, his fall competitor, Chad Harris, is a business owner and is well-known in Wabash County.
“I’ll do what I can for sure” to win in November, Snow said.
He said he was “pretty much” raised here in Kosciusko County and that “certainly helped a lot.”
Snow said he’s spoke to and gotten good insight from Thallemer, Wolkins, State Sen. Ryan Mishler, District 2 U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and District 3 U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.
“So I’ve gotten great support and I consider them mentors in this thing. I’m grateful to have that,” Snow said.
Reahard, who was at the party headquarters, said, “I’ve got a great core of volunteers. About 45 volunteers that worked their hearts out and mailed out to most of my voters, and we knocked on about 2,000 doors across the district, so I really appreciate all the work my volunteers have done. I congratulate Mr. Snow. He’s done a fair and kind campaign.”
Walorski won her race in the primary and will face Democrat challenger Pat Hackett in the fall.
In an emailed statement, Walorski said, “No matter what challenges our country is facing, my goal is always to fight for hardworking Hoosiers. Partisan politicians and radical voices are trying to divide us, but I’m staying focused on what matters: rebuilding our economy, protecting our communities and making sure working families have a chance to achieve the American Dream. As a lifelong Hoosier, I’ll always stand up for our shared values and fight on the side of farmers, small business owners, veterans, servicemembers, workers and families across northern Indiana. Together we can build a brighter future and a stronger America.”
The seat currently is held by Dave Wolkins, who decided to retire at the end of this year after 32 years. The district includes Kosciusko, Wabash and parts of Miami and Grant counties.
Snow faces Democrat Chad Harris, of Wabash, in the November general election.
At the Kosciusko County Republican Party headquarters Tuesday, Snow said it was an exciting but nerve-wracking night for him.
“I didn’t know what to expect with COVID putting us on lockdown. It was very difficult to get out and see people and kind of get an idea of what they think really,” he said.
Early on, he said he made a lot of contacts, especially in Wabash County where he isn’t as well known as in Kosciusko County. He met with many business owners down there and the county’s chamber of commerce.
“And then COVID happened and then it was kind of, I hadn’t talked to anybody for a long time,” Snow said. “The early support of the mayor, Scott Long, down there really helped and Mayor (Joe) Thallemer here in Kosciusko County was a great help. But it wasn’t anything like I expected, but then again I don’t know what to expect, this was my first time doing this.”
He acknowledged that Reahard had name recognition as Reahard ran for the position previously against Wolkins and Reahard is from Wabash County.
“And I have to say Russ worked hard. I know he went door to door in a lot of different communities and saw a lot of people, and so I commend him on that part. I respect him for that,” Snow said, admitting he didn’t do that.
“I’m very thankful for the Farm Bureau endorsement and the Indiana Manufacturers support. I’m a small business owner myself so I really like the small business aspect of it,” Snow said.
Asked if he thought he had a wider appeal than Reahard, Snow said, “I think the wider appeal may come in the sense of my experience of running businesses, in that sense. Experience I think is going to help me in a leadership position at the statehouse. From that standpoint, I think I had a wider appeal.”
Like Snow, his fall competitor, Chad Harris, is a business owner and is well-known in Wabash County.
“I’ll do what I can for sure” to win in November, Snow said.
He said he was “pretty much” raised here in Kosciusko County and that “certainly helped a lot.”
Snow said he’s spoke to and gotten good insight from Thallemer, Wolkins, State Sen. Ryan Mishler, District 2 U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski and District 3 U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.
“So I’ve gotten great support and I consider them mentors in this thing. I’m grateful to have that,” Snow said.
Reahard, who was at the party headquarters, said, “I’ve got a great core of volunteers. About 45 volunteers that worked their hearts out and mailed out to most of my voters, and we knocked on about 2,000 doors across the district, so I really appreciate all the work my volunteers have done. I congratulate Mr. Snow. He’s done a fair and kind campaign.”
Walorski won her race in the primary and will face Democrat challenger Pat Hackett in the fall.
In an emailed statement, Walorski said, “No matter what challenges our country is facing, my goal is always to fight for hardworking Hoosiers. Partisan politicians and radical voices are trying to divide us, but I’m staying focused on what matters: rebuilding our economy, protecting our communities and making sure working families have a chance to achieve the American Dream. As a lifelong Hoosier, I’ll always stand up for our shared values and fight on the side of farmers, small business owners, veterans, servicemembers, workers and families across northern Indiana. Together we can build a brighter future and a stronger America.”
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