Thomas
Democrat Ross Thomas, a 52-year-old Columbus attorney, has announced his intention to run for his party’s nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Ryan Lauer in Indiana State House District 59.
Thomas said he chose to run to be a strong voice for working families and public education. “In the last year I have watched in utter disbelief a state legislature in Indiana that is out of touch with the needs of working people and families,” he said in a statement. “While Hoosiers struggle with a global pandemic, crumbling infrastructure and embattled public schools, those we have elected to serve us seem more concerned with national politics and the latest outrage on Facebook than recognizing and solving problems right here in Bartholomew County. Rather than continuing to shake my head and complain from the sidelines, I decided to become a candidate myself and, hopefully, bring a different perspective to District 59. It’s time to cut through the nonsense and get back to a government that serves the voters.”
Along with supporting education, infrastructure and setting in place policies to support higher-wage jobs, Thomas said he will advocate for legalizing marijuana. “As an attorney in Indiana for the last 27 years, I have seen firsthand the damage done by our failed system of marijuana criminalization in Indiana. The amount of money we spend to criminalize marijuana could be put to better use. I’d love to live in a state where the police use the resources we now spend finding an adult smoking pot in his backyard to better investigate domestic violence and theft. I also know that many people who suffer from debilitating illnesses can benefit from the medical use of cannabis. It’s simply ridiculous to deny Hoosiers that relief based on our outdated marijuana policies.”
Thomas, who previously ran an unsuccessful statehouse challenge to Columbus Sen. Greg Walker, lives with his wife and three children in Columbus. More information is available at voterossthomas.com.
