Troyer says Thomas reaches new low

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - In the waning hours of the 2010 Indiana third district Republican congressional primary, a war of words has emerged not only between incumbent Congressman Mark Souder and challenger Bob Thomas , but between Thomas and fellow challenger Phil Troyer .

Troyer accused Thomas of slandering him in radio commercials airing on WOWO. Troyer said the commercials make claims that are false.

"Bob Thomas has reached a new low," Troyer said in an e-mail to NewsChannel 15. "The new ad claims I support gay marriage, which I have refuted many times. In addition, the ad claims I received a 'D' from the NRA... I received a 'B'." Troyer then included a link to the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund website verifying his claim that the group gave him a 'B' rating.

"We have never seen this type of campaigning in northeast Indiana," Troyer said. "Apparently, [Thomas] believes he is permitted to do anything to win. However, [his] antics are slanderous and should not be permitted to stand without strong condemnation and, perhaps, legal action."
 

Thomas campaign spokesman Nate Bullock responded by calling Troyer's comments "an attempt to get his name out there on election day."

Bullock said that the Thomas radio ad correctly cites Troyer's NRA rating as a 'B', not a 'D' as Troyer claimed.

Bullock also said the gay marriage claim was taken from a recent Journal Gazette newspaper article in which Troyer said he leaned libertarian on the issue of gay marriage. Troyer has made it clear he would not support a constitutional amendment recognizing marriage as an institution between a man and a woman, but has also said that is not the same thing as supporting gay marriage. Troyer views marriage primarily as a religious institution whose confines should not be dictated by the federal government.

Thomas, Troyer, and Greg Dickman are challenging Souder in Tuesday's Republican primary. A scientific poll released in late April by the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics showed Souder with a six-point lead over Thomas (35-percent to 29-percent) and a 16-point lead over Troyer. The margin of error was +/- five-percent and the poll showed a significant number of likely voters still undecided.