Don Bates Jr. doesn't consider himself a politician.
The 40-year-old financial advisor has never held public office, but has, however, thrown his hat into the political ring.
The Winchester resident officially launched his campaign as a Republican candidate for Senate Oct. 1.
Tuesday night he was at the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church to talk to a group of about 60 people for a "Meet The Candidate" forum.The event was organized by Jeremiah Heierman and Monica Boyer.
They are a part of Kosciusko County Silent No More and they helped organize two TEA parties in front of the old courthouse this year.
According to Heierman the group is non-partisan, with republicans, democrats and third-party members attending meetings.
The group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The group doesn't endorse candidates but rather works to bring them to the area so locals can get to know them.
Bates Jr. spoke for about 20 minutes before taking questions from the crowd.
The self-proclaimed "Reagan Republican" chronicled his upbringing and said his father, a reformed alcoholic who got into an alcohol-related auto accident the day Bates Jr. was born, bred in him an independent streak.
When asked, Bates Jr. said he would go against the party line if necessary.
Bates Jr. described several moments that he'll never forget. That included Election Night 2008.
"We put a socialist in the White House," said Bates Jr. "A man who fundamentally wants to change the United States Of America.
"I never thought about getting into politics until that moment," said Bates Jr. of election night.
After meeting with some Republican Party officials from Delaware County, Bates Jr. decided to start running.
While he hasn't received his Rep. Mike Pence's endorsement, several people who have worked for Pence are now on "Team Bates".
Bates Jr. will go against State Senator Marlin Stutzman and Carmel businessman Richard Behney in the May 4 primary.
Bates Jr. said he is pro-life and for making former President George W. Bush's tax cuts permanent.
The candidate took several swipes at current President Barack Obama saying his policies will give the Republican party "one last chance" with the American people.
"Barack Obama wants to socialize the United States," said Bates.
Bates Jr. took questions from the crowd for more than an hour that included topics such as net neutrality, the war in Afghanistan and how he'd vote for Supreme Court Justices.
"I think we need to finish the job in Afghanistan," said Bates Jr. "We lost our nerve in Iraq."
Bates Jr. said he would support a surge, similar to the one in Iraq, for Afghanistan.
He also said he would have voted against Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and pointed to Chief Justice John Roberts as the type of Supreme Court nominee he'd support.
Bates Jr. said he would also not vote for the current health care bill as it stands.
"Health care has problems," said Bates Jr. "But the White House is trying to present it as a crisis to push it through."
On term limits, Bates Jr. said he supports them but believes legislation would be tough to push through. He said he'd commit to serving only two terms.
He said he supports Israel and argued that if you take religion out of it, the United States needed to support Israel because they are allies.
When asked what'd he'd do about czars appointed by President Obama Bates simply answered "Fire 'em."
Bates Jr. acknowledged that current senator Evan Bayh would be able to outspend him by at least 2 to 1.
But Bates said the senate race isn't about Bayh.
"Barack Obama must be stopped," said Bates Jr. "This race is about Barack Obama."
The candidate said he is running despite the fact it may bankrupt his family.
He has been married to wife Amy for 15 years and has two sons, Trae, 13 and Blake 10..
Bates said his Web site is currently being developed but the Internet would be a major venue for him.
Stutzman is scheduled to be the next candidate brought in by Kosciusko County Silent No More.
For more information about Kosciusko County Silent No More visit www.kosciuskosilentnomore.com
