Davis rakes in support (4/14/04)

The highest-ranking elected Republican in the state visited Jay County Tuesday evening to rally fellow GOP members in support of Portland resident Bill Davis in his bid for District 33 state representative.

"Bill Davis needs to be your representative," Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita told a crowd of about 150 Republicans gathered at Bearkcreek Farms in rural Bryant for the 2004 Lincolnia Club Banquet. "Bill is going to need your help. Bill is going to need your support.

"If you help Bill Davis, you'll help our gubernatorial candidate. If you help Bill Davis, you'll help our president," Rokita said.

Davis, a local businessman who launched his campaign about two months ago, will face incumbent Democrat Ron Liggett of Redkey in the fall general election. Randolph County assessor Noel "Bud" Carpenter had filed to run for the GOP nomination for that seat. But he later dropped out of the race, and now backs Davis in his bid to unseat Liggett.

"This is probably the first time the opponent has introduced the opponent," Portland attorney John Coldren, an active member of the local and state Republican Party, said as Carpenter rose in support of Davis.

"We need someone who is a moral and upright citizen," Carpenter said.

With about 35 percent of the district's voters in Jay County — and 34 percent in Delaware and 31 percent in Randolph County — Carpenter said it's crucial that Davis receive the county’s backing. In a show of financial support, the former candidate cleaned out his campaign coffers and presented Davis with a check for nearly $1,600 toward his election bid.

That move, Coldren said, is "an indication that we're going into this together."

State Sen. Allen Paul, who represents Indiana's District 27, added, "I want to personally thank Bud Carpenter. In our 'selfish society,' (that kind of gesture is) not done very often."

Paul also spoke briefly about times when he and Liggett have clashed over legislation, and added, "It would be a pleasure to serve with Bill (Davis)."

District 54 State Rep. Tom Saunders and State Sen. David Ford, who represents District 19, also voiced their enthusiastic support for the Davis campaign Tuesday evening.

"I need someone I can work with," who will also work with the other Republicans in the House, Saunders said. Ford challenged local Republicans to "talk to your family, friends and neighbors" to help get Davis elected. "That's your charge tonight."

Davis, a Portland High School graduate, is owner and president of Limestone Products Inc. of Portland. He has been active in community affairs, including the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce and Jay County Development Corporation, and serves on the Jay County Hospital Board.

He told those present Tuesday "the support has been overwhelming." He took a few minutes to thank many of the members of his campaign team, especially his wife Mary, "who hit the ground running." He added, "With this kind of help and cooperation, we're going to win in November ... This is truly going to be a grassroots campaign. It's going to take each and every one of you to be successful.”[[In-content Ad]]