Whalen announces Congressional bid

Another candidate has announced plans to run for Congress.

Eric Whalen of Adams County on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Indiana’s 3rd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He becomes the seventh candidate to announce for the GOP nomination for the seat, which represents northeast Indiana including part of Randolph County and all of Jay and Blackford counties. Incumbent Republican Jim Banks of Columbia City is not seeking re-election, instead pursuing one of Indiana’s Senate seats. The field includes former District 3 Representative Marlin Stutzman, who held the seat from 2010 through 2017 before giving up the seat to run for Senate. Other candidates are State Sen. Andy Zay (Huntington), former Allen County Court Judge Wendy Davis, Michael Felker, Jon Kenworthy and Chandler Likes.

No Democrats have yet announced plans to run for the seat, which has been held by Republicans since 2003.

In his press release, Whalen said he believes the “true battle is a moral one.”

“In a field full of career government officials, Whalen provides an option to everyday Hoosiers that reflects the lifestyle and morality of Northeast Indiana,” the release says. “He says he brings a passion for fighting for family and speaking truth in a world of lip-service.”

Banks won a decisive victory with 65.3% of the vote last year to earn a fourth term, defeating Democrat Gary Snyder and independent Nathan Gotsch.