News
By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
State Sen. Andy Zay returned to his home town of Huntington on Thursday, March 2, to officially kick off his campaign for Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District Seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Surrounded by family and friends, Zay, a Republican, made the announcement at Nick’s Kitchen in the downtown business district.
He said he chose Nick’s Kitchen because “the community gathers here … to solve Main Street’s issues, not only here in Huntington, but throughout the country.”
The 3rd District seat is now held by Republican Jim Banks. Banks announced earlier that he won’t seek re-election in 2024, opting instead to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mike Braun. Braun is running for governor.
“Gas prices are up,” Zay said. “Food prices are up. The cost of healthcare is up. Inflation is running rapid. It’s time for us to push back.
“Main Street America has been under assault for the last year and a half, two years. It’s time to push back. We need to take Hoosier values to D.C. and put D.C. values back out east.
“The first step of a long journey begins today, to take back Main Street values and fight for Indiana and fight for the Third District.”
In a press release issued to coincide with his announcement, Zay said, “Congress is broken. Washington D.C. politicians have left Main Street behind while saddling future generations with more debt, less opportunities, and misplaced priorities. It’s time we chart a different course. In Congress, I will work to cut taxes on working families, spur job creation, and create opportunities for the next generation while defending our Hoosier values of family, faith, life, and the United States Constitution.”
He also took a shot at the current administration, saying, “The Biden administration has failed. Record inflation and a floundering economy have pushed an agenda that puts left-wing interest groups ahead of everyday Americans. In Congress, I will defend our values and put Hoosiers first.”
Zay has served in the Indiana Senate since 2016, replacing Banks who left the Indiana Senate to begin serving in the U.S. House of Represenatives.
A Huntington native, Zay and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 28 years and have five children and two grandchildren. He is a small business owner and an active member of Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
The 3rd Congressional District consists of all of Huntington, Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties, as well as northern Jay and northeast Kosciusko counties.
He represents Wabash County in the Indiana House of Representatives.
Posted on 2023 Mar 07
