Ackerson seeks to unseat Buyer in 4th District

By BOB BRIDGE bob@tmnews.com

February 12, 2008

BEDFORD — Nels Ackerson believes too many members of Congress have allowed personal interests to trump national interests, and he’d like to do his part to change that.

Last week, the Democrat filed as a candidate for Congress in Indiana’s 4th District, a seat currently occupied by Republican Steve Buyer.

“From conversations with local residents, whether at the Persimmon Festival Parade or the Martin Luther King celebration, I can tell you the people in Lawrence County are ready for new leadership in Washington,” Ackerson said. “The support I am getting from teachers and farmers, veterans and business leaders, college students and community leaders has been tremendously encouraging. I look forward to providing the kind of representation they deserve.”

Ackerson emphasized the purpose of elected officials is to serve the people, not the other way around. He believes he provides a distinct alternative to the status quo.

“I don’t say that to disparage his intentions,” he explained. “My guess is he went to Congress with very noble intentions. He’s been there 16 years, and I believe he’s lost touch. It’s important to listen and stay close to what the real problems are.

“My opponent is described as one of the most partisan members of Congress. Leadership is bringing people together, not yelling at the other side that they’re wrong.”

Ackerson said citizens of Lawrence County have not garnered their fair share during Buyer’s tenure.

“I’m going to go into office committed to reducing government waste and bring the budget under control,” he explained. “You would think a lot of money is coming back to this district. But, it’s not.

“The Office of Management and Budget has a Web site now that tracks where all government contracts go. You can track it by Congressional district. I thought we would be in the upper third or fourth. Out of 435 districts in the United States, this district ranks 430th in getting contracts here. And that means jobs.

“We’re paying taxes, and the jobs are going somewhere else. That’s a disservice.”

Ackerson said people are fed up with bickering, posturing and partisan attacks.

“I worked in Washington when divisions in this country were very sharp,” he explained. “We talked to each other, and we respected the positions people held. We realized our job was to get a result, not to make a lecture. We got things done.

“I am going to believe in the people. My opponent believes in the party and making a political statement. That’s a huge difference. He would prefer to characterize all Democrats as being wrong on everything. I would prefer to say Democrats and Republicans need to get together and solve some problems.”

Ackerson was reared on a small farm near Eagletown. He graduated from Westfield High School and then Purdue in 1967, where he was debate champion and president of FarmHouse fraternity and the student body.

He received his master’s from Harvard, a public policy degree from the Kennedy School of Government and Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. He also served as editor of the Harvard Law Review.

He returned to Indianapolis and practiced law at both the state and federal levels. He served as chief counsel of the U.S. Senate’s Subcommittee on the Constitution under Birch Bayh.

He also has practiced international law in Egypt. In 1991, he founded his own firm, Ackerson Group, focusing on representing individuals and businesses in complex litigation and class actions.

He and his wife Sharon reside in Zionsville. They have four children.

Times-Mail Staff Writer Bob Bridge welcomes comments at 277-7282 or by e-mail at bob@tmnews.com.