Published: April 12, 2008 11:16 pm         

18th District candidates focused on clean campaign

It’s been fairly simple for Brian Thomas to identify the top candidate in his state Senate race.

“Look around and you’ll see the signs — Randy Head,” said Thomas. “I think Randy’s got a good message. He’s a strong advocate for getting up there and making a difference. ... He’s spent a lot of money putting up signs, and combined with that, he’s a good guy. I think that’s what does it.”

Thomas, of Galveston, is one of four running for the Republican nomination in the 18th District. He spoke favorably not only of Head, but of all of his competitors.

Head, along with Thomas and Phillip Messer of Francesville, have all gotten to know each other during party events throughout the district.

Messer said he even ran into Linda Klinck, who is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket, at a breakfast in Rochester a few weeks back, but each of the Republican candidates said David Martin of Walton has so far been an unknown in the race. Martin could not be reached for comment.

For the candidates who have crossed paths, their interactions have been cordial.

“Normally, it’s real friendly,” Messer said. “We talk about some of the issues, how they’ve been doing, what they’re doing — family small talk.”

The top three Republican candidates said they want to avoid political attacks and mudslinging, and maintain a clean campaign.

Head, a Logansport resident who serves is a Cass County deputy prosecutor, said he believes his opponents got into the race for the right reasons — to help improve local government — and that has helped keep the peace during the campaign.

“Everyone gets along, we stick to the issues and I think voters deserve that,” said Head. “If you look at the presidential campaign and the mudslinging that’s going on, voters are sick of it. We want a race that voters can and should be proud of.”

Of the Republican candidates, Head has probably spent the most time out on the campaign trail. While he has spent some time going door-to-door, much of his campaign focus has been event appearances.

Head, who is a chamber of commerce member in each of the counties throughout the district, also has attended organization meetings and political events like the Lincoln Day Dinner in Pulaski County held Saturday.

The 39-year-old, who is married to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Lisa Swaim, has also spent time in meetings with local government officials trying to gain endorsements, and has put a large chunk of his campaign dollars toward signage.

While Head, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College and his law degree from Indiana University at Bloomington, has taken a more formal approach to campaigning, Messer and Thomas are using a more traditional grassroots style by going door-to-door throughout the district.

Thomas said he also planned to put some money toward signage while Messer said he had done some factory tours and spoken in churches throughout the district.

Thomas, who has 15 years of experience with property taxation issues, started his own business five years ago and now works in the private sector as the co-owner of Ad Valorem Solutions, which has served 11 counties throughout the state. He also served as the deputy assessor in Hamilton County.

A 1987 graduate of Kokomo High School , Thomas attended Indiana University at Kokomo. He has received training and several certifications as an appraiser, and is an instructor for the Department of Local Government Finance as well as other institutions.

Messer is an ordained Free Will Baptist minister and the campaign trail has taken him to churches throughout the district.

A 1986 graduate of West Central High School, Messer attended Omega Bible Institute and has served as minister of the day at both the state Senate and House of Representatives.

While Thomas has spent much of his professional career working from within to improve local government, Messer said he has spoken at the statehouse several times in the last few years on church taxation and other issues dealing with farm and family life.

Married with two children, Messer formerly worked in residential carpentry, and he and his wife, Anita, are both active in 4-H.

Though all of the candidates have different backgrounds, experiences and approaches to campaigning, each has kept the focus of the race on their individual agendas rather than attacks on their opponents.

“I would say that one thing I’m very happy about is that the two gentlemen that are my opposition are good guys,” said Thomas. “We get along, and there’s been no mudslinging.”

Carla Knapp can be contacted at (574) 732-5150 or via e-mail at carla.knapp@pharostribune.com