My name is Jim Tomes and I am the Republican candidate for re-election as your Indiana State Senator in District 49.
My wife Margie and I were born and raised in this area. We have been married 50 years. We have resided near Blairsville for 41 years. We have three grown children and three grandchildren.
We are parishioners of St. Wendel Catholic Church where we serve as Eucharistic Ministers. I am a member of the Knights of St. John. I graduated from Mater Dei High School and served in the Army for 3 years, one in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. I am a member and past Commander of Wadesville VFW Post 6576. I hold an associate degree from Ivy Tech.
As one of the founders of the 2nd Amendment Patriots gun rights grassroots organization, I have served as its director since its inception in January of 1999. This group is dedicated to protecting one of our most precious rights, the Second Amendment, guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
We were the recipient of the NRA’s Grassroots Organization of the Year 2000 Award.
Under my leadership, this group was instrumental in establishing the first and only Lifetime Handgun License in the country.
Governor Mitch Daniels honored me with the Distinguished Hoosier Award in July of 2006. In 2005 Indiana State Senator Johnny Nugent honored me with a Certificate of Appreciation for my efforts as director of the 2nd Amendment Patriots.
I am retired from the trucking industry after 33 years. As a Teamster and Union Steward during most of that time, I have a crystal clear understanding of the needs of both management and labor. I know the struggles of the working class and those of small business owners.
Margie and I fully support the Right to Life. Margie was a teacher’s assistant for 8 ½ years after being a stay at home mom for 25 years.
I am compelled to re-dedicate my service to our country and state of Indiana and ALL its citizens to establish Indiana as a sovereign state and a leader in the principles of freedom, liberty and prosperity.
As a solid conservative, I boldly present southern Indiana’s expectations and do it in the manner of a statesman instead of a politician. These times require a public servant who can engage all issues that stand before us and those yet to come with the determination and common sense to prevail.
I clearly understand the concept that the Founding Fathers branded into our Constitution were those elected to office answer directly to those who elect them. If re-elected to the Indiana Senate, my allegiance will be to the citizens by virtue of our Constitution. I also fully understand the burdens that come with this philosophy.
I ask again for your support to allow me to represent Posey, Vanderburgh and Gibson counties.