Amos Thomas selected in caucus for District 44

Friday, September 22, 2006

Amos Thomas has been formally selected in a Republican caucus to replace his son Andy as the state representative for District 44.

In a brief caucus Thursday evening in Greencastle, 18 precinct committeemen cast their votes for the elder Thomas, the only candidate to file for the seat. He will fill out the remainder of his son's term, which expires Dec. 31, while also seeking election for that seat in the November General Election. Thomas' challenger is Democrat Richard Thompson of the Reelsville area.

Thomas spoke briefly prior to the vote, which was conducted by paper ballot at the Putnam County Courthouse Annex.

"I'm proud of my son Andy, and I think he's done a good job representing th district," Thomas said. He went on to state that he is also proud of his son for accepting a position in the Indiana Attorney General's office, but that was a tough choice which meant that the younger Thomas would have to give up his seat in the House of Representatives.

Andy Thomas resigned Aug. 31, and announced his withdrawal from the fall election. His father later won a party caucus to be placed on the fall election ballot as the Republican candidate for the District 44 seat.

Thursday's voting began with three delegates from Clay County, followed by three from Parke County, and 12 from Putnam County. There were no committeemen present from Vigo County. The 44th district includes all of Putnam County, and parts of Clay, Parke and Vigo counties.

Amos Thomas will be sworn in to office at 4 p.m. today in the Indiana Statehouse by Chief Justice Randall T. Shephard of the Indiana Supreme Court.

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