TERRE HAUTE — Indiana District 46 can be a swing district in the Indiana General Assembly as Republicans have captured that seat twice since 1994.
Now, Republican Robert A. Heaton is seeking a three-peat as he announced his candidacy Thursday challenging incumbent Rep. Vern Tincher, D-Riley, in the 2008 election.
“If the Indiana General Assembly is a citizen legislature, then I certainly feel qualified. I am not a professional politician,” Heaton said at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Terre Haute.
Heaton said his involvement in politics includes helping Republican Ed Pease get elected to the Indiana Senate and to the U.S. House of Representatives and helping Republican Brooks LaPlante get elected to the District 46 seat in 2002.
Tincher was first elected to the Indiana House in 1982, then lost election in 1994 to David Lohr, former Vigo County Republican chairman. Tincher took the seat back in 1996 in a close race that featured a recount.
LaPlante then took the seat in 2002, but lost to Tincher in 2004. LaPlante initially decided not to run for re-election, then entered the race after another candidate withdrew.
LaPlante made loans to his campaign from his personal funds without declaring them on campaign finance statements. LaPlante at the time said he didn’t realize he needed to report them.
The Election Commission, a state board that controls election business in Indiana, met in summer 2003 and ruled that LaPlante had to pay a $10,000 fine for 10 violations of the finance laws, but the board never certified the result. Four months later, the same board with new members split on its decision for the fine. As a result of the split decision, LaPlante has never been asked to pay anything.
Heaton is known for playing on the 1979 Indiana State University team that went to the NCAA basketball championship. Heaton was known for two “miracle-man” shots that won games against New Mexico State and Arkansas. Heaton’s campaign slogan reflects that, with “It’s time for another miracle!”
Tincher said Thursday he anticipates an opponent in every election.
“Heaton has some name recognition as a basketball player. I think the issue will be what has he done since and what is his position on the issues such as property taxes and immigration, all those types of things,” Tincher said.
“I think being aware of the issues and having represented the district, I think well, during my tenure in the legislature will help” win re-election, Tincher said.
Tincher said the 2008 election will depend on several factors, including voters support of Gov. Mitch Daniels, whom Heaton said he supports.
“A lot of it will depend on how well Gov. [Mitch] Daniels fares for re-election and depends on if Heaton supports all of Gov. Daniels’ past legislation and the issues that the governor has advocated,” Tincher said of the election.
Tincher said the governor’s property tax proposal will be studied early in the upcoming Indiana General Assembly.
“I have looked at the governor’s proposal on property tax restructuring. I have some concerns about the way he does it. I agree that we should take women and children’s welfare off the property tax roles for the counties. The state runs that program and the local property tax has to meet the obligation of the welfare program,” Tincher said.
“The state constitution says that we shall provide a free public education and perhaps it is time that the state looks at taking over that funding. There are portions of the governor’s package that I agree with, yet I am not sure that giving 21⁄2 billion dollars of relief can be funded by the methods the governor has proposed, but that is something we will have to talk about in the upcoming session,” Tincher said.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Joseph C. Garza
-
Joseph C. Garza
Discussion
GOP trying to reclaim District 46
Robert Heaton wants to become third Republican since 1994 to win seat
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
-
Contract signed for new Y
Papers are signed and the ink is in place for a new YMCA to operate in Terre Haute.
-
City to impose $30 release fee on towed vehicles
The Terre Haute City Council voted without opposition Thursday to impose a new $30 release fee on vehicles towed and impounded by the police as part of a criminal investigation.
-
Valley educators cautious on Indiana’s ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana is one of 10 states to receive a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Driver dies after Illinois school bus crash
“Brace yourself. Brace yourself,” Fay Pickering shouted to her students just before the school bus she was driving crossed U.S. 40 and landed in a ditch Thursday morning.
-
Trial date set for former WTH police chief
A July 23 trial date has been set for a former police chief of West Terre Haute accused of theft.
-
Motorcycle gang member pleads guilty in federal court
A member of an Indianapolis motorcycle gang who delivered methamphetamine to a Terre Haute dealer has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court.
-
July trial date set for mother charged with child neglect
A July 30 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute mother charged with neglecting and battering her toddler.
-
Business hosting SPPRAK fundraiser
Java Haute is hosting the latest fundraiser sponsored by SPPRAK — Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness.
-
Valley high school cooking competition under way today
Clabber Girl Corp. and Gordon Food Services will host the fourth-annual High School Chef Competition, beginning today through Saturday, and again Feb. 18, in the Culinary Classroom at Clabber Girl.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
