Variety will be the spice of this year’s race for Indiana’s 44th District House of Representatives seat.
Incumbent Rep. Amos Thomas of the GOP faces former Greencastle Mayor Democrat Nancy Michael as well as Libertarian Darrell Goldman of Bainbridge.
District 44 covers all of Putnam County and parts of Clay and Parke counties as well as two precincts in Vigo County.
Thomas’ brother, John, held the District 44 seat 24 years and nephew Andy had it for four.
Thomas finished out the final two years of Andy’s term as the latter accepted a position with the Indiana Attorney General’s office. Thomas then won his own two-year term in 2006.
The 78-year-old Thomas counts 51 years as a Clay County-area attorney among his attributes. “I think that with my experience in business and in the Legislature for two years, I’m best qualified to be elected again,” he said.
An avid cyclist, Thomas rode 75 miles for his 75th birthday, and despite back surgery last year, still rides 45 to 60 miles a week.
“All of my ancestors have lived to be old people,” he said. “I have a lot more productive years left in me.”
Thomas, a Rockville High School graduate, spent 1952 through 1954 in the U.S. Air Force after earning his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and completing ROTC there. Leaving active duty service as a 1st lieutenant, he continued on in the Indiana Air National Guard for another two years while going to law school at IU.
And for the next 51 years, Thomas worked with his brother, John, in their Brazil law firm, serving as board attorney for organizations ranging from the Clay County Commissioners and County Council, to the Van Buren School Corp., Clay Civic Memorial Foundation, City of Brazil, towns of Knightsville, Staunton and Center Point, as well as the Clay County Farm Bureau Co-op and numerous other not-for-profit charitable groups.
Along the way, the Rotarian has scored 51 years of perfect attendance at the Brazil club, volunteering as a board member on the YMCA, Clay Youth League and through Brazil’s First United Methodist Church on whose board of directors he serves as chair.
“Everyone is concerned about the economy. Jobs and the economy,” Thomas said, noting that the financial woes of a nation need to be considered when looking at those of the state.
“I think we’re the only state in the Midwest that doesn’t have a deficit,” he said. “We’re in the black.”
And while Thomas said Indiana has “gained more jobs that we’ve lost,” the key to developing the economy lies in making the climate one in which businesses want to stay and grow.
Thomas cited endorsements from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Teachers Association and the Indiana Manufacturers Association as evidence he can do that.
Another issue on the minds of voters is property taxes, a big issue that despite changes made this year still has people unhappy.
Thomas said he is in favor of the property tax caps introduced this year.
“I’m for the caps and I’m for putting them in the constitution,” he said, noting that long-term reforms on state expenditures will be just as important in weighing tax reform as property tax cuts. “People want the services but they want someone else to pay for them.”
And while Michael disagrees with Thomas on the issue of property tax caps, she said it’s the district’s need for her overall experience and voice that is pushing her to run.
“I really believe that I have a voice that is not heard a lot at the Statehouse level,” the former Greencastle mayor said.
Michael, 48, is a Putnam County native, graduating from North Putnam High School before earning a bachelor of science in business management and administration from Indiana University.
Her first job in public service was as a payroll and purchasing clerk for the Indiana State Auditor from 1983 to 1986.
“This all comes full circle,” she said of her run for a spot in the Legislature after beginning as a state employee.
Following that, Michael went on to work as a payroll clerk for the Indiana Department of Corrections at the Putnamville facility between April and November of 1986, winning the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court and serving in that capacity from 1987 to 1990.
Michael worked in the private sector for a number of years before being elected mayor of Greencastle from 1996 until 2007, at which point she earned the spot she currently holds on the Putnam County Council.
“I’m running because I believe my experience and my qualifications are what are needed in the Statehouse,” she said.
Michael was born and raised on a Putnam County dairy farm, spending her first 23 years there before the next 25 in Greencastle, she said.
“Growing up on that farm gave me my foundation,” she said.
Looking at the makeup of the current Legislature, Michael noted most are “wonderful public servants,” but said they lack executive experience in the details of running small towns and counties.
“I’m excited to bring that voice,” she said, noting that her experience with local budgets and operations gives her a realistic view of legislative impact.
“The most obvious one is property tax reform,” she said.
Michael said she does not support making a constitutional amendment for property tax caps this session.
“We need to know the long-term effects of these property tax cuts,” she said, explaining that local governments need revenue to grow.
Which, she argues, can lead to more jobs.
“Jobs and the economy…” she said, noting another major concern of her district.
As a mayor and now county council member, Michael said she has spent the past 12 years fighting for improved infrastructure in her area.
Without basic necessities like water lines, DSL and utilities, corporations simply pass through the area on their way elsewhere.
District 44, with numerous small towns, contains “some of the areas that people don’t always think of first” when it comes to locating plant facilities.
But making sure the area continues to attract jobs with living wages is a top priority of hers.
Libertarian Darrell Goldman of Bainbridge, a newcomer to the political scene, said he’s running to get the word out about his party’s platform.
“I would encourage people to go to the Libertarian Party Web sites and see what the party is all about,” said the 55-year-old employee of the Quaker Chemical Co. at Nucor Steel in Crawfordsville.
Goldman encourages voters to “use their imagination” and think about what life would be like with an additional 55 percent or more of their income at their disposal.
“…without all of those taxes,” he said. “People really are capable of taking care of themselves.”
Goldman blames most of the state- and federal-level problems on “bloated governments.”
“I think one of the problems in this country is that people don’t trust their governments anymore,” he said, citing his faith in the Constitution and the principles it espouses.
Goldman graduated from South Knox High School before earning an associate’s degree in chemistry from Vincennes University and a bachelor in science from the University of Southern Indiana.
When asked of his political experience, Goldman notes his 55 years as an American citizen.
“I’ve been a Libertarian for 10 years and have financially supported my party, but I’ve always felt guilty about not offering more of my time,” he said.
And regarding the traditional two-party system, Goldman recounts the nation’s first president’s prophecy.
“George Washington said parties would be the downfall of the country,” he said.
Goldman said the Libertarians have been at “the forefront of property tax reform,” advocating “incremental changes” with the long-term goal of total elimination of the tax.
Goldman said if elected, he will measure every proposed bill against the backdrop of the Indiana and American constitutions.
Brian M. Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian. boyce@tribstar.com.
Candidate bios
Amos Thomas
Age: 78
Education: Rockville High School, 1948; Indiana University-Bloomington, BA, 1952; Indiana University-Bloomington, JD, 1956
Experience: U.S. Air Force, 1952-1954 (1st Lieutenant), Indiana Air National Guard, IU ROTC; 51 years practicing law in Brazil, Thomas & Thomas Attorneys; Brazil Planning Commission; attorney for Clay County Commissioners, Clay County Council, Van Buren School Corp., Clay Civic Memorial Foundation, City of Brazil, Town of Knightsville, Town of Center Point, Town of Staunton, Clay County Farm Bureau Co-op; a deputy prosecuting attorney; a public defender; Brazil Rotary Club; YMCA Board; charter member of the Clay Youth Baseball League; coached Little League Baseball, YMCA football, YMCA basketball; certified lay speaker for the United Methodist Church; board of directors for the Southern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church; First United Methodist Church in Brazil, chairman of board; former director, Wabash Valley Boy Scouts of America.
Family: wife, Mary (deceased), six children, 12 grandchildren.
Nancy Michael
Age: 48
Education: North Putnam High School, 1978; Indiana University, BS, 1983.
Experience: Mayor of Greencastle, 1996-2007; Putnam County Council (Greencastle Twp.), 2007; Putnam County Clerk of Circuit Court, 1987-1990; licensed agent and customer service rep, 1993-1995; payroll clerk, Indiana Department of Corrections, Putnamville, 1986; payroll/purchasing clerk for Indiana state auditor, 1983-1986.
Family: husband, Steve, two children, Peter and Mary.
Web site: www.nancymichael44.com
Darrell Goldman
Age: 55
Education: South Knox High School, 1971; Vincennes University, AS, 1973, University of Southern Indiana, BS, 1976
Experience: Citizen for 55 years; member of Libertarian Party, 10 years; employed at Quaker Chemical Co., Nucor Steel; member of the Civitans.
Family: father and mother, Wade and Virginia Goldman; sister, Sharon Martin; nephews and nieces
Election 2008
October 5, 2008
Election '08: Indiana House District 44
- Election 2008
-
-
Vigo County election results
More than 44,000 ballots were cast Tuesday of the nearly 80,000 registered voters, giving Vigo County a 55.76 percent voter turnout. Voters who cast provisional ballots have until noon Nov. 14 to show proper identification in the clerk’s office. Members of the Election Board will certify the results by the end of Nov. 14.
-
Obama triumphs, will be first black U.S. president
Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation’s first black president Tuesday night in an electoral college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. “Change has come,” he told a huge throng of jubilant supporters.
- Ellsworth downs Goode in District 8 In a strong Democratic election year, U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth was re-elected Tuesday to a second term as the 8th District congressman representing southwestern and western Indiana.
- House District 44: Former Greencastle major wins A former Greencastle mayor will head off to the Statehouse come January, and she said Tuesday night she’s ready to go.
-
YOUTH VOTE: Sarah Scott students elect Obama, Daniels
Tribune-Star
Students and staff at Sarah Scott Middle School voted to make Barack Obama president and Mitch Daniels governor during a mock election Tuesday. - Vigo picks presidential winner again Vigo County voters chose Democrat Sen. Barack Obama as president, maintaining its status as a “bellwether” county, picking the winner in every presidential election since 1892 with only two exceptions.
- Harrison Township opts to keep assessor Voters in eight precincts in Harrison Township opted to retain a township assessor under a referendum vote on Tuesday’s election ballot. That’s was good news to Mick Love, who will retain his elected seat as Harrison Township assessor. The final tally on Public Question No. 1 was 6,587 for a “yes,” which would remove the office, to 9,506 for “no” which would retain the office.
- House District 46: Tincher pulls out win The race between Democrat incumbent Rep. Vern Tincher and Republican challenger Bob Heaton for the Indiana House District 46 seat went down to the wire Tuesday night, with Tincher pulling out a win.
- Republican Daniels wins 2nd term as Indiana governor Republican Mitch Daniels defeated former Democratic congresswoman Jill Long Thompson on Tuesday to win a second term as governor, but he may need a supply of olive branches to advance his agenda if Democrats retain control of the Indiana House.
- House District 45: Borders wins close race The Indiana House District 45 race between incumbent Republican Bruce Borders and Democrat Rick Marshall was too close to call for much of the evening Tuesday, with the final outcome apparent near midnight.
- House District 43: Kersey remains in seat Rep. Clyde Kersey, D-Terre Haute, will remain in the Indiana General Assembly for another two years, as the 12-year incumbent defeated Republican challenger Ryan Cummins for the House District 43 seat.
- Clay County's turnout one for record books Clay County’s voter turnout was one for the record books, officials said Tuesday evening.
- Parke County incumbents retain their seats Parke County incumbents retained their seats in Tuesday’s election. Republican County At-large Councilmen Dale Gerrish and John Pratt will be joined by fellow Republican J.B. Butler, a newcomer who received more votes than Gerrish and Pratt. The three GOP candidates won over the three Democrats in that race.
- Nearly 64 percent of registered Vermillion voters cast ballots Vermillion County voters turned out in big numbers Tuesday to hand victories to Democrats up and down the ballot. Nearly 64 percent of registered voters turned out in the mostly rural county, which includes the towns of Clinton and Newport.
- Sullivan County votes Repbulican in national election For the second time in its traditionally Democratic history, Sullivan County voted Republican in the national election. Overall, Democrats saw unexpected upsets, incumbent Republicans lost a few offices, and voter turnout here was exceptionally high, as expected.
- Indiana State students await impact of their votes Ashley Roce sat in the Cunningham Memorial Library eating pizza with her friends, waiting to see the impact of her first vote in a presidential election.
- Indiana transplants watch from east coast Indiana has done what couldn’t have been predicted in 2004: It has gone Blue — and by so doing, the Hoosier state has broken its 44-year tradition of being a Red state, and helped put a Democrat in the White House.
-
Voter turnout in Clark County, Ill., highest it's ever been
Voter turnout in Clark County, Ill., was the largest it has ever been, but it wasn’t as high as County Clerk Bill Downey had hoped for.
- Presidential election turnout down in Edgar County Despite an increase in registered voters for Tuesday’s election, turnout was lower than the last presidential election in Edgar County, Ill.
- Incumbents easily win school board seats Three Vigo County School Board incumbents readily won re-election Tuesday. In District 1, Mel Burks and Jackie Lower retained their seats, defeating Larry Faulkner. In unofficial results, Lower had 24,321 votes, Burks, 19,253, and Faulkner, 11,383.
- Democratic Commissioner Mason gets another four years Vigo County voters on Tuesday returned Democratic Commissioner Paul Mason for an additional four-year term as one of the county’s top executive officials.
- Rader wins Vigo judge Superior Court Divisioin 5 The winner of Vigo County judge for Superior Court Division 5 is Dr. Michael Rader. With 23,636 votes, or 56 percent, Rader defeated Republican challenger Dan Kelly, who earned 18,216 votes, or 44 percent. Totals are unofficial results from the Vigo County Election office.
- Allsup defeats Royer in Vigo Recorder race In a night that was friendly to Democrats, Nancy Allsup won the office of Vigo County Recorder, defeating Republican Bruce Royer. Allsup, with 26,486 votes, or 65 percent, celebrated her victory Tuesday night with friends and family at the Paradise Pavilion in West Terre Haute.
- Mansard wins another term as Vigo County clerk Democrat Patricia “Pat” Mansard has won another term as Vigo County clerk. Mansard, who has served as county clerk for 20 years, was busily working Tuesday night to finish up election results, but she took a minute to savor her win.
- FINAL: VIGO COUNTY ELECTION 2008 RESULTS Final election night results from Vigo County
- FINAL: VERMILLION COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS 2008 Election results from Vermillion County
- FINAL: CLAY COUNTY ELECTION 2008 RESULTS Election results from across Clay County
- FINAL: PARKE COUNTY ELECTION 2008 RESULTS Election results from Parke County
- FINAL: SULLIVAN COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS 2008 Results from Sullivan County
-
NEW: Vigo County’s election record cited by Karl Rove
Karl Rove, the man credited with orchestrating President George W. Bush’s two successful campaigns for the presidency, reportedly singled out Vigo County as a place to watch tonight when election returns start coming in.
- More Election 2008 Headlines
-
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Woman Pleads Guilty in 1987 Newborn Kidnap Case
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
Skaters Still Hold Hope for Dutch Marathon
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Absolute Lin-sanity
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
Kobe was 'rooting for Patriots' in Super Bowl
Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him
Wookie Sensation
Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Sandusky makes a statement
Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera?
Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip
Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow
Halle Wants to Leave the Country
Northern Lights shine above earth
Plane makes perfect belly landing
Kris Jenner New Face of Arousal Oils
