Political rookie looks to claim seat in Indiana's 3rd District
A political newcomer is seeking to knock off a seven-term incumbent in Indiana’s 3rd District in the U.S. House.
Republican Mark Souder has represented the district since 1994. Before claiming his seat, Souder worked 10 years for Dan Coats during his tenure in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
Souder is currently the managing partner of Historic Souder's of Garbill, which includes Souder's General Store, the Country Shops of Garbill and Elias Ruff Restaurant. He graduated from Indiana University and received a Masters in Business Administration from Notre Dame.
His challenger, Democrat Michael Montagano, was raised and educated in Bristol, located in the district he is running to represent. He graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and received his law degree from Indiana University.
Montagano served former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan as well as former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Ind. He also assisted in the 2nd District congressional victory of Joe Donnelly in 2006. Montagano said he is an avid supporter of Second Amendment gun rights.
The candidates also support lower taxes, alternative energy sources and honoring veterans. While both also want to improve the services and affordability of health care, Montagano puts special emphasis on the need for children’s healthcare.
Some of the incumbent’s ads attack Montagano as being a self-proclaimed conservative Democrat.
One of the ads said, "Let's just mark him down as confused."
Montagano’s ads, meanwhile, have not made much mention of Souder.
As for the $700 billion bailout, according to an article from the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel on Sept. 23, Souder said some type of bailout was necessary to avoid defaults that might collapse consumer credit, the savings of ordinary investors and even the capacity of the U.S. government to operate on credit.
Montagano, however, said he would not support such a bailout unless benefits for more individuals were added.
According to Souder’s Web site, he supports exploring every option to ending dependence on foreign oil, including expanded offshore drilling. Montagano also supports ending dependence and would oppose price gouging and tax cuts for oil companies if elected.
When asked if he was intimidated by the incumbent Souder’s seven-term experience, Montagano had a simple response.
“Absolutely not.,” he said. “People want a new direction. They want a new direction of leadership.”
