For the past few months, the five candidates seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Dan Burton from the 5th Congressional District have been criss-crossing the state for joint appearances.
Burton, seeking a 15th term, failed to attend a forum in Wabash last month, although he was in Huntington County on the same day.
He is being challenged by state Rep. Mike Murphy, former state Rep. Luke Messer, John McGoff, Brose McVey and Andy Lyons.
Messer last week challenged Burton to participate in five joint appearances or debates before the May 4 primary.
The challenge included an event in either Marion or Hamilton counties and for Burton to take part in events already planned for Howard, Huntington and Tipton counties.
Messer also asked Burton to allow the other candidates to appear with him at several town meetings already scheduled.
“Clearly, the congressman has a busy schedule, but the voters deserve to hear a real debate among the candidates that addresses the issues facing our country and this district,” Messer said in a press release.
During his town hall meeting Thursday at Ivy Tech Community College in Kokomo, Burton said he wouldn’t participate in debates or joint appearances with his challengers.
He plans to be in Washington D.C. when the events already scheduled will take place.
“I spend four to five days a week in Washington. When I come back, I have speeches scheduled,” he said Thursday. “I have 15 town meetings, nine more after this. I’ve got to see my wife once in a while.”
Burton said the challengers are campaigning every day in the district and he has only two days to meet with voters and work on his campaign.
“I’m running on my record and hope the people of the district will look at my record,” he said. “If they decide they want me to stick around, I will.”
Burton said running against five opponents has its advantages and disadvantages.
“If you take it for granted and don’t let people know what your doing, you can lose even with that many people,” he said. “If you do your job, even with the “Throw the bums out” attitude, I can still survive. I’m going to work hard.”
The Howard County Tea Party will host an event in Kokomo on March 16 and the candidates have been asked to address the Tipton County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner on March 25.
“The Tea Party is looking at the records,” Burton said Thursday. “I hope they are active in this election.”
• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
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