TERRE HAUTE —
The Democratic Party leadership in Indiana’s 8th District hoped to avoid a costly primary fight this year by naming Dave Crooks as their 2012 candidate. However, that didn’t stop two other Democrats from entering the race, one from as far away as Brooklyn, NY.
Last December, Crooks, a six-term member of the Indiana General Assembly, was selected from among three declared candidates by more than three dozen 8th District Democratic Party leaders in a closed-door meeting in Vincennes. The goal was to avoid a costly primary fight and allow the party to focus its resources on the November general election.
“This was an idea that came from the actual candidates, not the [Democratic] Party,” Crooks said. “We agree on almost every issue … we’re teammates in this effort.”
Crooks, who served in the Indiana House from 1996 to 2008, also notes that the caucus did not prevent other Democrats from entering the race, which is exactly what happened. Thomas Barnett, a 27-year-old organic farmer from Owen County, and William Bryk, an attorney living in Brooklyn, NY, both have gotten their names on the May 8 primary ballot.
“It struck me that, although the [Democratic] leadership chose someone, I have a lifelong antipathy to back-room political work, even when it’s harmless and supposedly for constructive purposes,” said Bryk, who ran for the U.S. Senate in Idaho in 2010 for similar reasons, despite never having visited that state.
Bryk, 57, who has had a long career as an attorney in New York City, has also not visited Indiana’s 8th District, but is permitted to appear on the ballot and would only be required to live in the state on the day of the general election, he said.
Crooks’ other Democratic opponent, Barnett, said he was also partly motivated to enter the race by the caucus in Vincennes. “I strongly felt like, when that happened, it was only a unanimous decision among those 38,” Barnett said. “That kind of lit the fire.”
Despite the opposition, Crooks, 48, remains the clear favorite in the Democratic primary. While Barnett and Bryk report raising no funds, Crooks has managed to bring his fundraising total equal to that of incumbent U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Newburgh, who is facing challenger Kristi Risk in the Republican Party primary.
“We expect to run against Bucshon in the fall,” Crooks said.
All three Democrats on the ballot are concerned about health care in America, they said. If elected, Crooks said his first goal would be to put to rest concerns among senior citizens that their Medicare benefits would be in jeopardy.
“I don’t think we should balance the federal budget on the backs of grandma and grandpa,” Crooks said. “They are the ones that need a break.”
Barnett would like to see the Constitution amended to include a guarantee of affordable health care, a good job and decent housing for all Americans. He also favors tax breaks for small businesses, improvements to highways and infrastructure, a balanced federal budget and getting away from using fossil fuels.
“Unless Congress starts acting now, my future is in jeopardy,” Barnett said.
Bryk said he is a “firm believer” in a single-payer health insurance program for all Americans. About 35 percent of healthcare spending is wasted on “auditing” expenses that would be eliminated under such a system, he said. “Medicare for all is a good shorthand for what I believe in,” he said.
Crooks said his campaigning is going very well, with a large surge in funds raised in the first quarter of this year.
“I’m tired of the constant partisanship” in Washington, Crooks said. “It seems both sides spend more time fighting than getting anything done.”
Barnett’s campaign is a “one man operation” with no spending so far, the candidate said. He is mostly going door-to-door, making his case for someone of his generation to gain a voice in Washington, he said.
“You ask people of my age, [we’re in] a depression,” Barnett said. “We’re the hardest hit … I don’t understand how current congress persons can look their grandchildren in the eye,” he said.
Bryk said his campaign consists of mainly answering inquiries from the press from his home in New York. But, he was attracted to the 8th District because it reminded him — according to Census figures he has seen — of the population of where he grew up in upstate New York. It has a mix of agricultural and industrial areas and is populated with “just good, ordinary people,” he said.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Name: Thomas Barnett
Age: 27
Education: Graduate of Owen Valley High School. Has attended Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College.
Professional experience: Recently started an organic produce business, Valley Towne Farms, in rural Owen County.
Family: Single.
Website: www.thomasbarnettforcongress.com
Name: William Bryk
Age: 57
Education: Graduate of Fordham University School of Law, Bachelor of Science in Economics from Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY.
Professional experience: Most recently, staff attorney, New York City Department of Correction, administrative law judge, New York City Department of Finance. Former columnist for New York City newspapers.
Family: Wife Mimi.
Website: www.cityofsmoke.com (Not a campaign website).
Name: Dave Crooks
Age: 48
Education: Graduate of Sullivan High School
Professional experience: Member of Indiana House of Representatives from 1996 to 2008. President of DLC Media Inc. Owns two radio stations in Washington, Ind. Operates a radio station in Vincennes. Has been in broadcasting profession for 31 years.
Family: Wife Shelley, 3 children.
Website: www.davecrooksforcongress.com
Election 2012
8th Congressional District - Democrat
- Election 2012
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Indiana House leader pledges no abuse of super-majority power
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma promised not to exploit the super power of the Republicans’ new super-majority status in the Statehouse, saying he hopes Democrats will be “partners” in passing legislation to benefit Hoosiers.
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Vigo ballots saw lengthy list of presidential candidates
While most voters on Tuesday knew the names of Democrat President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, there was a long list of other presidential candidates on the Indiana ballot.
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Pence promises to go forward with education overhaul, tax cut pledge
Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Pence said he’ll make job creation “job one” when he takes office in January and promised to abide by his campaign’s “Roadmap for Indiana” plan, which includes support for education reforms that voters seemed to reject and a tax cut that legislative leaders oppose.
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Anderson tops Mason: GOP candidate unseats incumbent Dem Commissioner Paul Mason
Republican Brad Anderson pulled off the lone upset at the county level Tuesday, defeating long-time Democrat incumbent Paul Mason for the District 3 seat for Vigo County Commissioner.
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Clay County election 2012
A massive turnout by Clay County voters had general election participation nearing 60 percent by the final unofficial count.
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Parke County election 2012
A majority of Parke County voters selected Mitt Romney as their president by a vote of 4,228 to President Barack Obama’s 2,106 votes, while the governor’s race went to Mike Pence with 3,366 votes to John Gregg’s 2,818 votes.
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Vigo sees strong voter turnout for presidential election
Vigo County saw a strong voter turnout — 52.5 percent — in Tuesday’s 2012 general election, but that total fell short of the nearly 56 percent voter turnout in the presidential election four years ago.
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Vermillion County election 2012
Voter turnout in Vermillion County Tuesday was 59 percent Tuesday as more than 6,750 voters cast ballots in 17 precincts.
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Obama wins re-election
President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney as well as the weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions.
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Incumbent Anderson retains seat
Democratic incumbent Judith Anderson won a fourth term for Vigo County Commissioner District 2 in a race that was close with a first-time challenging candidate.
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Congressman Bucshon retains seat in House
Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon, a Republican, held off a tough election challenge to retain his 8th District U.S. House seat.
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Dems sweep Council At-Large seats
Democrats swept all three Vigo County Council At-Large seats Tuesday, returning two incumbents plus adding a newcomer to the body.
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Crockett wins to take over Vigo clerk’s office
In the Vigo County clerk’s race, Democrat Dave Crockett defeated Republican Mike Morris by a vote of 21,025 to 16,857.
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Challenger Ritz knocks off Bennett in state superintendent race
Democrat challenger Glenda Ritz pulled off a stunning upset Tuesday night, beating incumbent Republican Tony Bennett in the unexpectedly tight race for Indiana superintendent of public instruction.
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Donnelly gives Democrats Indiana Senate victory
Democrat Joe Donnelly triumphed Tuesday in one of the nation’s most tumultuous Senate races, capitalizing on fallout over his tea party-backed opponent’s comment that a pregnancy resulting from rape is “something God intended” to capture a seat that just a year ago looked to be a lock for Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar.
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Heaton wins re-election in Indiana House District 46
In House District 46, incumbent Republican Bob Heaton won re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat James Mann II, who ran for elected office for the first time.
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Longtime Rep. Borders loses re-election bid
Indiana State Rep. Bruce Borders, a long-time Republican representative from Greene County, apparently lost his re-election bid Tuesday by a razor-thin margin to Democrat Rep. Kreg Battles, also a member of the Indiana House.
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Phone system glitch slows vote counting in Vigo Courthouse
A phone system problem at the Vigo County Courthouse has slowed down vote counting tonight.
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SLIDESHOW: General Election 2012
Photos by Tribune-Star photographers Bob Poynter, Joe Garza and Jim Avelis. Check back for more photos.
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Vigo County seeing strong voter turnout
Voter turnout appears strong in Vigo County as election 2012 reaches its climax.
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Indiana voters can buy alcohol after voting this year
This Election Day marks the first presidential election year in several decades where Indiana voters can buy alcohol after casting their votes.
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What Indiana voters have to say about 2012 races
Across Indiana, thousands of people are casting votes for dozens of races, including the White House, Senate, Congress and the General Assembly. Here’s what they’re saying about why they cast their votes:
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Voting machine problems delay some Indiana voters
Voting machine problems have caused delays and long lines in Hamilton County, a heavily populated Indianapolis suburb that’s a Republican stronghold.
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Indiana race could be showdown over school changes
The campaign to lead Indiana’s education department is being watched as a referendum on school policies pushed by conservatives across the country.
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Congressional, State Representative debates set for October
The League of Women Voters of Knox County (Vincennes) will host two live televised debates in Vincennes in October.
The first debate will be Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. EDT between the candidates for Indiana House of Representatives, District 45, Rep. Kreg Battles and Rep. Bruce Borders.
The second debate will be Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. featuring the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th District, Congressman Larry Bucshon, Dave Crooks, and Bart Gadau. This Congressional debate will be co-hosted by the League of Women Voters of Vigo County (Terre Haute). -
AG candidate spells out concerns
Indiana’s sex offender registry, consumer protection and protecting children from abuse while improving the state’s Child Protective Services agency are among the top issues for Indianapolis attorney Kay Fleming, Democatic candidate for Indiana Attorney General.
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Dates set for Indiana Senate, governor debates
Two debates have been scheduled for next month between the candidates for Indiana’s U.S. Senate election, although organizers are still calling them tentative as final details are worked out.
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Lieutenant governor candidates debate farm issues today
The three candidates for Indiana's lieutenant governor are meeting to debate farm issues.
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Candidates agree to three gubernatorial debates
Indiana’s three gubernatorial candidates have committed to three televised debates this fall through the Indiana Debate Commission.
Candidates include Democrat John Gregg, Republican Mike Pence and Libertarian Rupert Boneham. -
Gregg introduces State Sen. Vi Simpson as choice for lieutenant governor
Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg this afternoon introduced State Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, as his running mate for the 2012 election.
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