ALEASHA SANDLEY
Journal Review, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008

Nels Ackerson visited Crawfordsville on Wednesday to officially file his candidacy in the Montgomery County clerk’s office to become Indiana District 4 representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Ackerson, a Democrat, filed for the May primary and wants to run against incumbent Rep. Steve Buyer, a Republican, in the November general election.

Although he is only required to file his candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State, Ackerson is visiting all 12 counties in District 4 to file with them locally.
“I just want the folks in Montgomery County to know that I care about the folks in Montgomery County,” Ackerson said. Ackerson also visited White, Tippecanoe and Clinton
counties Wednesday and will continue his tour of the district Thursday and Friday.

Ackerson said that Buyer has lost touch with his constituents.  He cited the troubled economy and poor state of veterans’ affairs as problems that happened under Buyer’s watch. “We have sent our troops into the Middle East to protect us and defend us and politics doesn’t matter at that point,” Ackerson said. “If he were talking to vets, he would know that.”

Locally, Ackerson would like the federal government to tap into Indiana’s — and District 4’s — untapped potential to solve the country’s dependency on foreign oil.  “This district has a huge potential for ethanol,” Ackerson said.  “People in the district know that, but in Washington they forget.  When I get to Washington I intend to make the world know that and the nation know that.”  Ackerson also cited the district’s workforce and three colleges - Purdue University, Wabash College, and Franklin College - as valuable assets of the district that he would like to use to show the federal government that Indiana can be a leader in the country.

In a statement, Ackerson also said he is gaining support among community members in Montgomery County, including Mayor Charlie Coons.  He has attended meetings at Wabash College, the American Legion and with farm and other community groups, he said.

Ackerson lives in Boone County, grew up in Hamilton County and studied agriculture at Purdue University.  He ran for Congress in 1980, but did not win.  He cites family concerns as keeping him from running until now.  “My children are grown now, and it’s time for all of us to step up,” he said.

Other issues Ackerson will focus on is his campaign include:

• Restoring integirty, competence and fiscal responsibility to government.
• Renewing national security, at home and abroad.
• Dedicating the nation to accessible and affordable health care and education.
• Repairing the immigration system.
• Taking care of obligations to veterans.
• Establishing clear objectives, timelines and exit strategies for pulling troops out of Iraq.
• Exploring new sources of energy, including ethanol, biodiesel, solar and wind.