Federal, State Winners Reflect On Primary Election
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
U.S. 3rd District Congressman Mark Souder, State Representative District 18 Dave Wolkins and political newcomer for State Representative District 22 Rebecca Kubacki received the most votes to win Tuesday's primary election.
The general election is Nov. 2.
Souder won 49 percent of the vote in the eight-county northeast Indiana district, defeating Gregory (Greg) Dickman (R-Auburn) who received 3 percent, Bob Thomas (R-Fort Wayne) received 34 percent, and Phillip J. (Phil) Troyer (R-Fort Wayne) received 14 percent.Souder will face Democrat candidate Tom Hayhurst (D-Fort Wayne) in the November election.
In Kosciusko County, Souder received 4,775 votes, or 48.24 percent.
During a phone interview Tuesday night, Souder, who is seeking a ninth term, said he is humbled to receive the votes and win the primary and looks forward to continuing to represent Kosciusko County and the third district.
"I will continue to be a fiscal conservative and fight for the orthopaedic industry and Grace College," Souder said.
He also said he plans to continue to fight for jobs in the third district, oppose cap and trade, and maintain his pro-life values.
Former U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R-Fort Wayne) received the most votes statewide for the U.S. Senate seat, receiving 40 percent of the vote. Coats previously served from 1989 to 1999.
Coats defeated candidates Don Bates Jr. (R-Kokomo), District 13 State Senator Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe), former Congressman John Hostettler (R-Blairsville), who served from 1995 to 2007 in the 8th district and Richard Behney (R-Fishers).
In Kosciusko County, Coats received 3,743 votes, or 38.05 percent, coming in second in Kosciusko County to Stutzman's 4,720 votes, or 47.99 percent.
Coats will face Brad Ellsworth (D-Evansville) in the November election, to fill the seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh.
Kubacki (R-Syracuse) defeated nine-term incumbent District 22 State Rep. Bill Ruppel (R-North Manchester) in Tuesday's primary.
Ruppel has served in the seat since 1992 representing Kosciusko and Wabash counties.
Kubacki received 2,090 votes, or 62.02 percent of the votes in Kosciusko County, and Ruppel received 1,280 votes, or 37.98 percent of the votes.
Kubacki received 2,934 votes in Wabash County, or 49.20 percent, and Ruppel received 3,029 votes, or 50.80 percent.
Kubacki will face opponent Allen "Big Al" Dunnagan (D-Wabash) in the November election.
Kubacki was at her daughter's home in Warsaw Tuesday night with her husband Mike, campaign manager Jean Northenor and family and friends when she received the news from Kosciusko County auditor Marsha McSherry that she had won the primary.
"I'm on cloud nine. It's been a hard fight and I thought beating an 18-year incumbent was not an easy thing to do and the only way I did it was by hard work and going door to door," Kubacki said.
She said issues important to her are job creation and school funding.
"We need to do everything we can to create a business-friendly climate and deal with the school situation where teachers being let go is a critical issue," Kubacki said.
It is Kubacki's first time for seeking political office and the stay-at-home mother said she learned a candidate can accomplish anything if they work hard, have principles and goals.
"I've met so many people by running for the office that I may not have otherwise met if I had not had this opportunity," Kubacki said.
Wolkins was at Boathouse Restaurant, Winona Lake, Tuesday night when he received the news he had won the District 18 primary.
Wolkins has served in the Indiana House of Representatives since 1988 representing Kosciusko, LaGrange and Elkhart counties.
Wolkins received a total of 5,094 votes vs. 2,052 for his opponent Retha Hicks (R-Winona Lake).
Wolkins received 3,288 votes, or 69.12 percent of the votes in Kosciusko County. Hicks received 1,469 votes, or 30.88 percent of the votes.
Wolkins received 1,375 votes in Elkhart County, and Hicks received 410 votes.
Wolkins received 431 votes in LaGrange County, and Hicks received 173.
Wolkins said he is pleased with the primary results.
"I feel satisfied that I apparently represented the district because there has been a movement to oust the old timers, but that did not happen tonight," Wolkins said.
He said he hopes Republicans can get in the majority next year to have the opportunity to provide leadership.
Wolkins also thanked his opponent for her campaign and said their campaign did not have the negative aspect that other campaigns had.
Bill Friend (R-Macy), was unopposed for the State Representative District 23 seat.
Friend said he looks forward to continuing to serve his district.
"I'm pleased with the outcome and it has been an honor and privileged to serve this district and I will continue to to that," Friend said.
Friend said he would like to wish Kubacki well in November as she seeks to represent Wabash and Kosciusko counties.
In the State Senator District 17 race, Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) defeated Tom Wall with 12,457 (63 percent) to 7, 276 (37 percent).
The seat came open because incumbent Gary Dillon (R-Columbia City) decided not to seek office for another term.
District 17 covers parts of Huntington, Whitley, Kosciusko, Wabash and Allen counties.
