Published: June 29, 2008 12:26 am         

Banter ‘playing catch-up’

Democrats give voters a choice in District 24 race.

Tim Banter Jr. started his Saturday at a pancake breakfast and parade in Bunker Hill. He’s planning to hit some of the area Fourth of July events later this week and is trying to work out a plan to be at three different 4-H fairs in the same week later in July.

“I started late, so I’m playing catch-up,” said Banter, who was chosen Friday during a caucus of Democrats in Cass, Carroll, Miami and White counties as the party’s Indiana House District 24 candidate. “Most of the candidates made this decision in the middle of last year.”

Banter will oppose Republican incumbent Rich McClain in the November general election.

Though this will be Banter’s first time running for office, he is no newcomer to the political world.

“I’ve always known this was something I wanted to do, but the opportunity never availed itself until now,” he said.

He worked as a state Senate intern in 1999 and then as a field organizer in District 5 for the Hoosiers for Hillary campaign leading up to the May primary. He has also volunteered with countless other political campaigns throughout the years and served as a Cass County delegate at the Indiana Convention last year.

While Banter said he has always had an interest in running for office, he hadn’t considered joining the District 24 race until he was approached at the convention. He conferred with Logansport Mayor Mike Fincher, Cass County Democratic party chairman Matt Meagher and other area Democrats before deciding to take on the challenge, saying that he felt it was time someone faced the 14-year incumbent.

Though Banter admits he is behind in his campaign, he doesn’t feel as though the task is insurmountable.

“I’m very, very confident that it can be done,” said Banter. “There have been campaigns launched as early as this that have been successful, and we can succeed. ... Right now, I’m just trying to get the word out.”

A graduate of Purdue University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and secondary education, Banter said he believes the time he spent campaigning for Sen. Hillary Clinton helped him get his name out in the district. Now, he’s trying to alert people about his stance on several issues.

Banter, who has spent time in several areas of Indiana but now lives in Cass County, worked for two years for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. He also spent eight months as a substitute teacher. From those experiences, he said he has seen the need for improvements in education not just for children but for adults as well.

Banter, who is in the process of earning a master’s degree from Indiana University-Kokomo, said he believes continuing education is also an important issue. He said he has been pleased with the state’s efforts to bring a new Ivy Tech Community College campus to Logansport, but said he would like to see those efforts continue.

Along with additional educational opportunities, Banter said he wants to see more skilled jobs come to Indiana to keep the educated work force in the state.

The son of a career military man, Banter said he also understands the needs of area veterans and wants to improve benefits and job protection for those who have served.

“One of the greatest things someone can do is to serve our country, but when they leave, they’re leaving a job and they’re leaving a family,” he said. “... We need to provide more support for them.”

Banter acknowledged that the Indiana Legislature still has work to do to improve the property tax situation. He also said he opposes the privatization of government services.

“I think I bring a fresh perspective in trying to fix the problems that we have,” said Banter.

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