PRIMARY ELECTION: Three seek the GOP’s 8th District Congressional nod

April 29--A youthful newcomer and a previous Congressional candidate are challenging Rep. Larry Bucshon for the Republican nomination in Indiana's 8th District.

As when he first ran in 2010, Bucshon said be believes "ordinary Americans like me with private sector experience are needed to solve the challenges in front of us."

He touts success in advocating for "common-sense policies" reflecting the values of the 8th District and he would like the opportunity to continue his work in Congress.

As health care costs continue to rise, Bucshon said his expertise is an important voice in Congress as he and fellow Republicans put forth "common-sense reform" and seek to reduce regulations "to reinvigorate the American dream."

He said he sees a need for additional conservative reforms, "but until we have 60 Republican senators or the Senate changes its rules, Senate Democrats still have the opportunity to obstruct our agenda," he said. "Nevertheless, we are once again putting America first and our economic growth under President Trump is proof that our actions are working."

Evansville native Rachel Covington holds a bachelor's degree in political science and views her campaign as an extension of her interest in politics.

She wants to let states opt in to single payer health care and proposes legalizing marijuana, a constitutional amendment banning discrimination on sex, race and color and what she calls "a real debt solution."

Mutual debt forgiveness would see the U.S. reduce amounts owed it by other countries, with those nations reducing debts owed them by the U.S.

"I plan to vote against any funding bill that doesn't give a surplus in the budget and ... against any raising of the debt ceiling," she said.

Covington said her youth can work in her favor but noted she is also the only candidate in the race with a political science degree.

She is teaching English in Japan and is running her campaign online -- an approach she noted is economical and said she would campaign the same way if she were living in Indiana.

Richard Moss, a physician from Jasper, lost the 2016 primary to Bucshon, 65 percent to 45 percent, but believes he can improve his showing this year.

He came out swinging, saying Bucshon's move to Washington with his family "shows a certain disconnect" and cited his low rating from conservative groups such as Heritage Action.

Bucshon did not respond to those charges for this article.

Critical of the new tax law and federal budget, Moss noted the measures have combined to raise the federal deficit by well over $1 trillion.

"You shouldn't pass tax cuts if you don't have the will to cut government and (Republicans currently on Capitol Hill) just don't have the stomach for that," he said.

Calling himself "a full service conservative," Moss said he takes a strong stand on cultural issues as well as economic matters.

"We must restore faith and family as two pillars of a strong, robust civil society," he said. "Unless the party really becomes an opposition conservative party and advances the policies of the conservative base, (it) will go the way of the Whigs."

On the Democratic ballot, attorney William Tanoos, a Terre Haute native, is unopposed for his party's nomination.

Dave Taylor can be reached at 812-231-4299 or dave.taylor@tribstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @TribStarDave.

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