Why I'm Running

As a nearly life long resident of the Wabash Valley and House District 46, I have learned some of my best lessons from people in this area. Through my years of playing basketball, I was taught the value of a hard work ethic and to always give 100% on and off the court. I was taught the values of integrity and discipline and to always do what as right.

Merrill Buell, the “Bobby Knight of farming,” whom I worked for two summers during high school, taught me the value of working six days a week of truly hard work and many other life lessons during those two summers. It was truly an education like no other.

The Wabash Valley has been my home for all of my life. I graduated from Clay City High School and then went on to play basketball and graduate from Indiana State University. My wife, Jane Ann, is from Clay County and my children, Travis and Allison, both went to Vigo County Schools and Purdue University. The only political experience I have had since college was helping Ed Pease get elected to Congress and helping Brooks LaPlante beat Vern Tincher in 2002. I am not a professional politician; I just want to give back to the community the best way I know how.

Many changes in my life helped push me to this decision to run. Being a small business owner and a taxpayer, I understand the need to be frugal with our state dollars and the need to lower taxes. Also, in September of 2006, I lost my mom. In December of 2006 my daughter was married. In February of 2007 my dad passed away and just this January, my mother-in-law passed away. Through these ups and downs in life, I realized the time is now to do something and to make a change and a difference. As we were preparing my parents' house to auction of some of their belongings, I found some match boxes my dad had made from his run for Clay County Commissioner. This really inspired me to make my run for State Representative.

I have always tried to give back to the community, through the Boys and Girls Club of Terre Haute, through my church and other organizations. But running for State Representative will allow me to give back to the entire Wabash Valley, an area that I am truly blessed to call home.

Listen to my speech here