Golden opportunity to oust Dems, GOP leader saysRepublicans see chance to gain inroads in Lake County strongholds
Local Republicans at a candidates' forum Thursday said the party might have its best chance in years to garner votes in traditionally Democratic strongholds of Lake County.
"More people want to get involved," Griffith Republican Chairman Tom Wichlinski said. "
People are cynical about what they're hearing and seeing."
That includes in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives seat long held by Democrat Pete Visclosky, a seat for which eight local Republicans are vying.
"Out of all the years, this is our best potential for a viable candidate," in the race, Wichlinski said.
"It's time for Pete to retire," said Highland Republican Chairman Mario Martini, a moderator for the event.
The forum hosted by the Griffith and Highland Republican organizations at Griffith High School drew seven of 33 local Republicans running for a variety of offices, from the U.S. Senate to the Lake County Council.
Ric Holtz, 51, of Merrillville, a candidates for the U.S. House District 1 seat, said he's
concerned the nation is "going more toward socialism. I don't want to see this country go that way."
Michael Petyo, 65, of Merrillville, also running for the District 1 seat, said he'd sought the office in the past.
At the time, "people were not ready for a change," said Petyo, who said he's in favor of term limits for officeholders.
Cy Huerter, 63, of Highland, running for the District 11 Indiana House seat, said he'd push to eliminate township government.
"
We don't need another layer of government," Huerter said.
Candidates in the Lake County Council District 4 race included Daniel Langmesser, 66, of Schererville, and Eric Krieg, 38, of Munster.
Krieg, a first-time candidate, said people often ask him why he wants to run for the County Council, long dominated by Democrats.
"It's time to stop the nonsense," Krieg said. With all the Republicans in municipalities that make up the Lake County 4th District, "there's no reason for it to be held by a Democrat," Krieg said.
Krieg said he'd oppose a county income tax and food-and-beverage tax, if he's elected, and would push to have Lake County withdraw from the Regional Development Authority.
"How about we just get out of the RDA," Krieg said, using money funneled to the RDA instead "for lowering debt."
Langmesser said he'd run for office 31 times in Lake County. "
I'm not looking for a job. I'm not looking for a paycheck," he said. "I'm running to better my community."
Other candidates at the forum included Jayson Reeves, of Gary, in the U.S. House 1st District race and Kenneth Stevenson, in the District 2 Indiana House race.