Stutzman Embarks On Mission To Change Washington

Joe Hornaday
Greensburg Daily News

October 03, 2009 12:53 pm

— State Sen. Marlin A. Stutzman (R - District 13) arrived in Greensburg on Thursday inside his impressive campaign bus, following his recent announcement that he would be seeking Sen. Evan Bayh’s United States Senate seat.
Stutzman, 33, spent much of the day, Thursday, touring areas in southeastern Indiana and talking to residents. And though he is seeking a higher office, the politics of campaigning are nothing new to him.
Stutzman was first elected to the Indiana State House of Representatives on Nov. 5, 2002. Currently, he is a fourth-term legislator that serves as the ranking member of the Senate Utilities and Technology Committee.
According to Stutzman, his work in the Statehouse has involved fighting for lower taxes and less regulation. By focusing on education and bringing good jobs to Indiana, Stutzman said he has also led the fight to ensure that Indiana’s children have a brighter tomorrow than they do today.
His campaign theme, “Change Washington, Not America,” was announced on the day Stutzman proclaimed his candidacy for the U.S. Senate at Cider Mill Farm in Kendalville.
The Stutzman campaign has set an agenda of running a 92 county strategy in the primary.
“We are focused on running a statewide campaign because we need a statewide network for the fall,” Stutzman explained. “Sen. Bayh is one of what I call the ‘Washington Millionaires.’ These are career politicians, such as Sen. Bayh, who have become millionaries while holding elected office. It’s offensive.”
The decision to run for U.S. Senate came after much thought and prayer, Stutzman said. He began talking it over in January with his wife Christy. His sons Payton, 8, and Preston, 3, factored heavily into his decision. Following the terrorist attacks in New York City in September 2001, Stutzman said he became concerned of what the next 50 years would bring his children.
“Now, it’s down to what the next 10 years is going to bring,” he said.
Stutzman is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up in Howe. As co-owner with his father Albert, he runs Stutzman Farms, farming 4,000 acres in the Michiana area. He is also owner of Stutzman Farms Trucking, a regional transportation company. As a farmer and small business owner, Stutzman said he understands the problems that small businesses and family farms face each day.
He was first elected to be a State Rep. for District 52 in 2002. At that time, he was the youngest member of the Indiana General Assembly. He won a district caucus in June 2008 to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Robert Meeks. At the Statehouse, Stutzman serves on the Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation, Pensions and Labor, Utilities and Technology and the Natural Resources Committees.
He graduated from Lake Area Christian Schools and studied business at Glen Oaks Community College and Trine University. Currently, he is a member of: the Community Baptist Church; Howe Community Association; National Rifle Association; National Federation for Independent Businesses; Indiana Farm Bureau; LaGrange Chamber of Commerce; LaGrange County Farm Bureau Board; and the ARC.
The campaign theme “Change Washington, Not America” is an important one for Stutzman.
“It seems like Washington is out of touch with the real world,” he said. “As I speak with Hoosiers, one thing is clear. People want to change Washington, not America.”
Those interested in learning more about the Stutzman campaign can find the information on the Web at www.goMarlin.com. He is also on Facebook at Marlin Stutzman - United State Senate and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarlinStutzman.

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