-- —  Bob White formally announced his primary candidacy for the Indiana State District 55 seat recently at Greensburg’s High Point Orchard.

A number of state and local government leaders attended the announcement, including state senator Brandt Hershman, Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey, Decatur County Councilwoman Rheadawn Metz and Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert, who also serves as White’s campaign treasurer, as well as several other top-ranking members of the Decatur County Republican Party.

Indiana state District 53 representative Bob Cherry canceled because of the weather, but Decatur County farmer David Miers, a longtime friend of both White and Cherry, read Cherry’s enthusiastic endorsement.

Herbert opened and moderated, calling White the most qualified candidate to represent District 55.

"He shares my values," Herbert said. "Especially my belief in small business."

"Bob has long shared my focus on retaining and growing local businesses," Herbert continued, "these are the foundation of our community — the businesses who’ve supported and been part of our community for years and years."

In his formal announcement speech, White highlighted the fact that his father was a Doctorate in Economics who chose to be a farmer. He also highlighted his and his family’s connections to World War II.

White also released his "blueprint" for Indiana House District 55. That blueprint includes White’s ideas for "economic and community development," for "access to quality health care services" and for "restoring integrity in government."

Working from his blueprint, White outlined his ideas for arts and culture, for forestry and agri-tourism, for "agbiosciences," for emergency management and public safety, for healthcare and for restoring government transparency and integrity.

"The blueprint," White said, "is only a starting point. We must forge new economic opportunities that help us thrive and grow. Some may work; some may not, in which case, we may need to start over."

"This campaign," he finished, "is about listening to the citizens. Your thoughts and participation are necessary if we are to succeed."

For more information on Bob White’s campaign for Indiana’s State District 55 representative, visit his website at citizensforbobwhite.com.