Published: February 21, 2008 12:33 pm         

Third resident plans campaign for Senate seat

Consulting firm co-owner is third to file or Republican nomination

A third Cass County resident has announced his candidacy for the Indiana Senate seat that will soon be vacated by Logansport Republican Tom Weatherwax.

Galveston resident Brian Thomas recently filed for the District 18 seat. He will seek the Republican nomination against Randy Head of Logansport and Phillip R. Messer of Medaryville. Logansport Deputy Mayor Linda Klinck has announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination.

Thomas said he felt the biggest issue on voters’ minds during this election would be property taxes. The 39-year-old is the co-owner of Ad Valorem Solutions, a consulting and service company that contracts with assessors throughout the state, and he feels the experience of dealing with property taxes over the last 15 years will help in the position.

“I pledge not only to listen and convey the core values of my constituents, but most importantly, I am the experienced individual to lead the reform of the property taxation system,” said Thomas, noting that he also had knowledge of property tax administration systems from surrounding states.

Thomas is a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers, and instructor for assessor and appraiser continuing education classes in Indiana as well as an instructor for the Illinois Property Assessment Institute.

He is president of the Galveston Elementary School PTO and a member of the Woodbridge Health Campus Advisory Board.

He and his wife, Rhonda, have been married for nearly 16 years and have three children, 13-year-old Macie, 10-year-old Levi and 3-year-old Jayla.