Two Republicans announce 4th District campaign plans (Todd Rokita is one)

[IndianaGreen]

Two Republicans announce 4th District campaign plans

Posted: Feb 01, 2010 11:01 AM EST
Updated: Feb 01, 2010 5:35 PM EST

Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Two Republicans announced their intentions Monday to succeed Congressman Steve Buyer in Indiana's 4th Congressional District.

On Friday, Buyer announced he would not seek re-election in order to be at his wife's side as she struggles with a terminal autoimmune disease that took her sister's life 21 months ago. Three days later, Secretary of State Todd Rokita, who was contemplating a run against Senator Evan Bayh, switched field and races and filed the paperwork in his own office to run to succeed Buyer.

Rokita posted the announcement on his Facebook page. He said he spoke with Buyer by telephone Monday morning, but did not ask for his endorsement.

"This is not Congressman Buyer's seat, this is the people's seat," Rokita said.

There is good reason the secretary of state did not ask for the congressman's endorsement. Buyer has encouraged his longtime district director, State Senator Brandt Hershman to run.

"I was employee number one, so I very much appreciate his support," Sen. Hershman said.

Rokita says his service as secretary of state will allow him to get right to work on the national debt, national security and family values, but he declined to say the open seat was more preferable than challenging Evan Bayh.

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=11912615