One of six candidates vying for the democratic nomination in the 3rd congressional district race spoke to a group of Kosciusko County Democrats Monday evening.
Kevin Boyd, Fort Wayne, has been a Presbyterian minister at Fort Wayne's Trinity Presbyterian Church for the past 23 years.
Boyd also said that since his congregation is small, and with the economic downturn, he’s also taken a job at an insurance company.
“I think Congress is broken,” said Boyd. “I think I can offer real ideas. I’m concerned about energy, jobs and how the middle class and poor are being affected.”
Boyd said he also will fight for what he said is a war against public education. He cited Indiana’s move toward funding charter schools.
Boyd previously ran for the nomination in the 3rd district in 2006 but lost to Dr. Tom Hayhurst.
In 2007, he ran for city council in Fort Wayne and lost in the general election.
“I will tell the truth and run with dignity,” said Boyd of his campaign. “I don’t believe in being a politician. A politician will say whatever he has to to get re-elected. I believe our role is as public servants.”
“Let’s bring Marlin Stutzman home,” said Boyd.
Boyd’s been married to his wife for 35 years and they have two children.
John Bonitati and Chris Wright also spoke Monday night.
Bonitati is seeking the district 22 seat for the Indiana House of Representatives. That seat is currently held by Republican Rebecca Kubacki.
Bonitati said if elected he would work to repeal recent Right To Work legislation.
He also discussed concerns about cuts to public education and programs like Cardinal Services.
Wright is running as a Democrat for the District 18 Indiana House of Representatives seat. That seat is held by Republican Dave Wolkins.
Wright said he was excited to run against “the incumbent with the worst attendance in the house.”
He called education a “fundamental human right” and not only said he’d vote to repeal Right To Work but that he’d author the bill.
United Steelworkers 809 President Jeff Hooker was on hand Monday night to support the democratic candidates and pushed for repeal of Right To Work.
Hooker said that with DePuy being a union shop, it helps determine the wage of other places. He said that if the wages at DePuy went down because of the recent legislation it would push others outside of DePuy down as well.
Kosciusko County Democratic Chairman Terry Bartley told Boyd and those in the audience that the county Democrats have adopted a new policy and will no longer endorse candidates in contested primaries.
Carmen Darland, 3rd district democratic chair, did offer her endorsement to Boyd Monday night.
“He’s the right man for this job,” said Darland.
The Kosciusko County Democratic party will host a pulled pork barbecue pit at its office at 417 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw, March 24 starting at 9 a.m.
The county Democrats will next meet April 2 at Richard’s Restaurant in Warsaw starting at 6 p.m.
