Published: November 11, 2009 10:03 am      

Phil Troyer will challenge Souder in ’10 GOP primary

Phil Troyer, a Fort Wayne attorney, stopped in Goshen Tuesday to announce his intention to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Souder in the 2010 Republican primary election.

Troyer, a Westview graduate, is a former aide to U.S. senators Dan Coats and Richard Lugar and worked as campaign manager for Rick Hawks’ 1990 Congressional challenge race.

Troyer currently serves as general counsel for a national financial services firm whose parent company was recently named the second fastest growing privately-held company in the country by “Inc.” magazine.

“I have a great job and was not looking to change careers,” said Troyer. “However, when Congressman Souder voted in favor of the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, I decided someone needed to do something.”

“Frankly, I had no intention of returning to politics,” Troyer said. “Working on Capitol Hill was a tremendous opportunity for someone who grew up in small towns like Etna Green and Shipshewana. However, I decided to move back to northeastern Indiana to concentrate on raising a family and building a career outside of government.”

Troyer said he decided to challenge Souder because of the representative’s recent record on spending. Troyer posted 50 examples of Souder’s voting for increased federal spending and pork barrel projects.

Besides the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, Troyer said Souder supported a $2 million project for the City College of New York, $200,000 for a Maine lobster museum and $50,000 for the National Mule and Packers Museum in California.

Troyer said his decision to run came down to a simple consideration of his 9-year-old daughter.

“I have a 9-year-old daughter,” he explained. “Working in the financial services industry, I understand the negative impact the exploding federal debt is already having on our economy. If we do not do something to control federal spending quickly, the dollar will continue to weaken and interest rates will rise to encourage foreign countries to continue servicing our debt.”

“That will not only lower our standard of living but jeopardize our national security,” Troyer said. “As a father, I cannot stand by idly while career politicians like Congressman Souder jeopardize the future of our children and grandchildren with wasteful and selfish pork barrel spending.”

He claimed Souder “votes like a big-spending liberal when he is in Washington, D.C.”

He pointed out that the Republicans lost 50 members in the House in recent years. “Now is not the time for congressmen to congratulate themselves,” he said.

Troyer stressed that controlling federal spending is most important. He said in 2010 the Republicans may re-gain control of Congress, but he suggested it may not happed “with the same old politicians.”

“It is time for new leadership in Washington. We are putting the future of our kids in jeopardy,” Troyer said Tuesday.

“If elected, I will take my responsibility to the Constitution and to the people seriously.”

Troyer admitted his candidacy “is a difficult challenge,” as he does not have the campaign chest of an incumbent and does not expect financial support from interest groups. “I can’t match his spending,” he said.

But he is counting on conservative Republicans to who may have “strayed” from the party to support his message.

“I have a message that will resonate with the voters,” Troyer said.

His Troyer for Congress Web site was activated Tuesday.