Ellert for State Representative

Kevin Berger presenting ABC's endorsement and check to Francis Ellert at Coca-Cola Bottling in Plymouth

I had the opportunity to meet with Francis Ellert recently and present him with a check and endorsement from Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana (ABC).  Easterday Construction has been a member of ABC for nearly three decades and I have served on the organization’s State Board of Directors through four terms.  Francis has attended several ABC events and the organization has found him to be a like-minded individual that will fit well in representing our Free Enterprise cause.  I consider Francis a personal friend and I was pleased to be able to relay our support. 

This is Francis’s second run at the Indiana House District 17 position.  I supported him in his first run (see here) and will do so again this time.  Currently he has a primary challenger, but no Democrats have filed to run for the position in the Fall.  Turnout will still be important in the primary.  Since the Republican candidate  for President has been decided before the Indiana primary, it’s important to  make your voice heard in this local issue.

Lest you think voting isn’t important in the primary, there seems to be a real divide in the campaigning.  I see very few Harman signs in the Culver area where Francis is well represented.  I see mostly Harman signs in the Bremen area where Tim is well known.  Culver in particularly shouldn’t be complacent and assume that Francis has it sewn up!  We need to get out the vote and support him.

I can’t say anything bad about Tim Harman.  From what I know of him, he is a good person, has run a clean campaign and has the best interests of District 17 at heart.  But he’s not the known candidate that Francis is.  Francis ran a hard campaign against Nancy Dembowski in 2010 and I think he benefited from it.  Not only did it help him better define his positions, but it helped him make contacts that will be crucial when he joins the General Assembly next year.  Those contacts are what have garnered the support of the Indiana Chamber, the Indiana Manufacturers Association and the Indiana Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

Please consider helping me support Francis in the primary.  In less than a week we’ll be making this choice.  I can’t tell you how much I  look forward to voting for a candidate that I can truly support rather than choosing the lesser of evils.  I don’t think Francis tells election fairy tales.

Kevin