- May 1st, 2010, 4:35 pm
#306923
They both attended LIberty at the same time back in the day. Small world.
The Pilot News wrote:3 vie for 2nd Congressional District GOP voteClick Here for Full Story
Saturday, 01 May 2010
By Anita Munson Staff Writer
Although there are four candidates’ names on the ballot in the Republican primary election for the 2nd Congressional District, there are only three actual contenders in the race. Martin Dolan, of LaPorte County, withdrew from the race, but not in time to remove his name.
That leaves Jack Jordan, Bremen; Jackie Walorski, Jimtown, and dark horse Tony Zirkle of Lake County in the running. Zirkle, a consistent candidate over the years, may not be a consideration for party supporters who remember his 2008 appearance before a Neo-Nazi crowed at a birthday party for Adolph Hitler.
So the real horse race is between Jordan, a name well-known locally as president of the Bremen Public Schools Board of Trustees, and Walorski, whose name recognition as the current Dist. 21 state representative is unmatchable at this point.
Walorski has the blessings of the party, which had previously asked her to provide the challenge to Democrats in the 2nd Congressional District before. Walorski also has the benefit of being media savvy, to which her campaign website and personal appearances attest.
Jordan has made the best of his honest “citizen candidate” stance, and has solid support among those who agree with his “Enough is Enough!” campaign slogan and his plea for fiscal conservatism. He’s tried throughout the campaign to persuade voters that his “real life” experience in business is exactly what is needed for the position he’s seeking. He’s called out Walorski on some particularly broad statements, and not been afraid to say her deep war chest could create a situation of the candidate being “beholden” to interests other than those of the constituents. It’s a claim Walorski has denied.
Both Jordan and Walorski are fighters. Both are fiscally conservative. Both seem ready to take on a Democratic agenda they’re against. Voters from the 2nd District — LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke, Marshall, Pulaski, Fulton, Cass and Carroll counties — will determine who will take on Joe Donnelly in the bigger fight to take back the seat in the fall.
Jordan, 48, is married to Hope, a physician, and has two children.
He earned his Master’s degree in management from Purdue University, in 1988; his bachelor’s at Liberty University in 1984; and is a Bremen High School graduate of 1979.
He is an associate professor of business and economics at IUSB and a former Eli Lilly & Co. executive for 16 years, where he served as a sales representative involved in corporate strategic planning, public policy and planning, market research, business development and was brand teams director.
He has been a member of the Bremen Public Schools Board of Trustees, serving as president from 2006 to present.
He is a member of the Marshall County Community Foundation executive committee and humanitarian initiatives.
His campaign position statement is: “...In the midst of the endless lists of unrealistic promises made by politicians to fix every problem that arises, I have three very simple, yet critically important priorities. My three priorities are to: Stop the misguided policies ... that continue to bombard us from Washington, D.C., and more specifically from Nancy Pelosi’s House of Representatives ... The Economy ... specifically, focusing on jobs, jobs, and more jobs ... Protecting us ... from our many ruthless enemies.”
Walorski, 47, is married to Dean Swihart, who teaches in Mishawaka. The couple has no children.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and public administration from Taylor University in 1981; attended Liberty Baptist College from 1981 to 1983; and is a Riley High School 1981 graduate, as well as graduate, St. Joseph County Leadership Program.
She was a TV reporter with WSBT-TV, South Bend, 1985 to 1989; was executive director of the St. Joseph County Humane Society from 1989 to 1991; director of institutional advancement at Ancilla College from 1991 to 1996; director of membership at St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 1997; and was director of development at IUSB, from 1997 to 1999.
She is the current House Assistant Floor Leader, Indiana Legislature, and Dist. 21 State Representative, from 2004 to present. She also serves on Family, Children & Human Affairs and the Public Policy committees. She’s the former vice chair of Government & Regulatory Reform Committee and she co-sponsored the Voter ID law requiring a photo ID before citizens may cast a vote to ensure integrity in elections.
Walorski runs on a vow to bring government back to conservative leadership and fiscal discipline. She wants a repeal of recently passed health care legislation, and a tough look at the vulnerability of national security cuts have brought about, and is against government interference in the free market. Her supporters “Stand With Jackie” against the Obama administration’s federal mandates.
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