Published Monday 03 of May, 2010
Scott Allen, Herald Journal
It’s down to the final campaigning moments in the most contested race
White County will have on its ballots tomorrow.
With 13 Republicans and three Democrats on the ticket for U.S. House of
Representatives District 4, the candidates have traveled many miles to
promote their vision in the 12 counties the district represents.
“I’ve actually found it a very invigorating campaign,” said David Sanders,
a Democratic candidate and associate professor of biological sciences at
Purdue. “I’ve been up and down the district.”
His most recent campaign event was in Monticello for the Jefferson-Jackson
Dinner; but Sanders has conducted town hall meetings and participated in
forums in other communities to hear from the voters.
“I think it’s been a very positive experience, it’s been interesting
listening to the other candidates as well as listening to the voters,” he
said.
Sanders said the biggest concern he’s heard while talking to voters is
about jobs.
“They want to make sure they maintain their jobs and the benefits
associated with those jobs. Ultimately they want to be sure that they
continue to have the wages that they need to live,” said Sanders.
Sanders said that government can help bring together the 4th District’s
strong farming, manufacturing, workforce and academic capacities to lead
the way into the new “green economy.”
“Many of these jobs are the type that can’t be outsourced,” he said.
“We’re talking about trying to retrofit buildings so that they’re more
energy efficient, we’re talking about trying to build a transportation
infrastructure. The 4th District has the ability to be at the forefront of
obtaining those sorts of jobs and I’m going to work hard to make sure that
happens.”
“Our message is that we need to number one, stop the spending; that we
don’t need establishment, career politicians in the office,” Rokita
explained.
Sanders said the people have responded well to his message of how
important the role of science is to modern society.
“It’s important to have people that understand that role and who can make
judgments on issues independent of lobbyists,” he said. “Too often people
start with an ideology and look to the facts to support that ideology. I
try to start with the facts and look for the policies that are the most
consistent with those facts.”
Just because both Hershman and Rokita are Republicans doesn’t mean they
agree on every issue.
“I’ve highlighted the fact that Todd Rokita favors repealing Medicare
prescription drug coverage for seniors; he thinks the program costs too
much,” Hershman said. “I believe in cutting government spending, but I
don’t believe we should eliminate prescription drug coverage.”
