An auction house says it has decided not to sell a vial that it says contains blood residue from Ronald Reagan.WASHINGTON – An Indianapolis man who owns Ford dealerships in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis said Wednesday he will run against Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd, in the Republican congressional primary.
Bob Thomas, who owns the Dimension Lincoln-Ford dealership in Fort Wayne, said he is prepared to spend at least as much as Souder, who has $165,698 in his campaign account.
“I have all the money I need myself to run this campaign,” Thomas said. “We have enough money to put on a very, very serious campaign. I expect I should be able to exceed anything that Mark would be able to put in the campaign. I’m not worried about the money.”
Typically, raising money is the most difficult hurdle for candidates who are running against incumbents, particularly in a primary.
Thomas, 59, said he moved to Fort Wayne in 1980 to open the Fort Wayne Lincoln-Mercury dealership and moved to Indianapolis in 1985 at Ford’s request to take over the dealership there. He also bought the Ford dealership in Fort Wayne.
Thomas said he has deep ties to northeast Indiana through his business and plans to rent an apartment or buy a house in the area before March 1.
Thomas said he has not put together the framework of a campaign yet but plans to raise money, hire a team and develop issue statements by March 1.
He described himself as fiscally conservative but declined to describe his views on other issues.
Thomas said he wants to be in Congress to provide the views of a small-business owner and that it is time for “career politicians” to be sent home.
Thomas joins two others who are challenging Souder, an eight-term incumbent. Also on the May 4 ballot will be Phil Troyer and Charles Newman. Candidates have until noon Friday to declare their candidacy for the primary.
