ANDERSON — Kim Builta has her eye on the prize for the 36th Indiana House of Representatives district: jobs.
Builta announced her candidacy for the representative spot Monday in a short speech at the Paramount Theatre Hardacre Ballroom in front of her family, friends and supporters. Builta will run in the May primary, and if she wins or no other Republican candidates run, she will face Democrat Rep. Terri Austin in the November 2010 general election.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people,” Builta said. “I’ve been out there. I think it will be a very tough race.”
The 36th District includes part of Anderson and northern Madison County, as well as a section of Hamilton County.
Builta is banking on the fact that, even in a largely Democratic Party county, her constituents will be tired of a Democrat-controlled House and its speaker, Rep. Pat Bauer.
“I believe that people would like to have a change in the House speaker,” Builta said. “He is an obstructionist. I will do my best to get people to get him out.”
Builta said she felt called to action earlier this year after Austin failed to vote on the budget in the Indiana General Assembly. Austin said at the time she had a conflict of interest that kept her from voting on the budget and that she hadn’t been given enough notice of the conflict of interest to feel comfortable voting.
“I found that completely unacceptable,” Builta said. “It was the ‘A-ha’ moment for me. If she has a conflict of interest or if anybody else does, they should not be there.”
Builta said her experience as a small business owner puts her in a good place to influence the Legislature to run the state like a business. Builta is president of Rowland Title Co. in Anderson.
“I do believe we need to have people at the Statehouse that are going to fight for small business,” she said. “A lot of us are afraid to hire because of the decisions at the Statehouse.
“When there was a downturn in the economy, I had to see it in advance and make decisions. I have the experience behind me to say this is what it’s looking like in our district.”
Builta said jobs were her most important priority for her district, saying she would try to keep Hoosier Park Racing and Casino’s jobs in the county.
“I want the jobs,” she said. “I want people back to work. I’m not willing to sit back and not fight to have those stay here.”
Builta’s daughter, Deca Williams, said her mother was a unique candidate for the representative position.
“She’s not your typical candidate for office,” she said. “Kim is a candidate who understands nothing can be achieved without hard work.”
Builta, a Madison Heights High School graduate who has lived in the district for 30 years, decided to run for public office for the first time after forming her exploratory committee five or six months ago, she said.
“This is something I’ve stepped up to give my time and energy to do for this district,” she said.
Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley @heraldbulletin.com.
Local News
Builta announces candidacy for District 36 seat
- Local News
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-
