Senate Candidate Hosts Meet And Greet In WarsawU.S. Senate candidate Marlin Stutzman attended a meet-and-greet event Saturday afternoon in Warsaw.
The event was held for him at the Hampton Inn, Warsaw, and was hosted by Dave and Linda Koontz, Mike and Kathy Stutzman, and David and Shelley Ahlersmeyer.
There were approximately 80 supporters who attended. Marlin Stutzman's wife, Christy, and their two sons, Payton and Preston, also attended.District 13 State Sen. Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe) previously spoke in Warsaw March 6 during a senate debate with the other candidates who are seeking the seat. Other candidates seeking the office are former U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R-Fort Wayne), who previously served from 1989 to 1999; Don Bates Jr. (R-Kokomo); former Congressman John Hostettler, who served from 1995 to 2007 in the 8th district (R-Blairsville); and Richard Behney (R-Fishers).
The primary is May 4 and the general election is Nov. 2.
Marlin is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up on a farm in Howe.
First elected to the Indiana State House of Representatives in 2002, at the age of 26, Marlin served as the youngest member of the legislature until 2006.
The Times-Union had the opportunity to sit down and interview Stutzman Saturday afternoon.
When asked why he is seeking the seat, he said he wants to help with job creation in Indiana.
"I have had friends, family and neighbors who are out of jobs and I have found myself wondering who is looking out for them," Stutzman said.
He said, back in 2002 when he ran for state representative, there was a billion dollar deficit and backlogged payments to schools and local governments. He said because of fiscal fortitude and responsibility, that has been erased.
"The same thing needs to happen at the federal level when we are in trillions of dollars of debt. There is deficit spending and I believe with my small business experience that I can use common sense and fiscal responsibility," Stutzman said.
He said Indiana has a balanced budget, and it is because people like himself and others that understand government can't spend more money than it takes in.
He said he differs from his opponents in that he is a farmer and part-time legislator.
"We talk about wanting people in Washington who are in touch with the real world and I think that's what I bring. I'm not Washington, but I'm not inexperienced either," Stutzman said.
He said his time serving in the state legislature has given him the experience that he can use in Washington, and said he has a proven track record that has stayed consistent.
"I firmly believe this is a public service, not a career," Stutzman said.
For more information about Stutzman, visit his Web site at www.gomarlin.com
