Republicans react to Morris nomination

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Many called the Republican’s choice in the party’s most recent caucus a surprise. Precinct committee people nominated Bob Morris, a politically inexperienced business owner to run for State Representative in the 84th district.

The original candidate list included Allen County Commissioner Bill Brown, former Fort Wayne Community School board member Jon Olinger, congressional district director Derek Pillie, and Morris.

Allen County Recorder, John McGauley was one of the 26 precinct committee people to vote for Morris in the third round of Saturday’s caucus. Though McGauley said he was not originally a Morris supporter, he understood the result.

“It really, in the final analysis, wasn’t as surprising as some people might have thought it should have been,” McGauley said. “[Republicans] are looking for newcomers, people who have never been involved in government before.”

Chairman for the Allen County Republican Party, Steve Shine called Morris a representative of the future of the party.

“If people know Bob Morris, they’re going to see that he’s an outstanding young man, a family man with five young children, a businessman and farmer who knows this community well,” Shine said.

In November, Morris will run against Democrat Evan Smith to represent the 84th district. It is a young ballot and despite experience levels, analysts said votes from that district are easy to predict.

“It’s really Republican, very conservative” McGauley said. “It’s going to be tough for Evan Smith.”

Smith is a Fort Wayne teacher who says his campaign focuses on job creation and improving education. Morris said he will run to protect small Indiana businesses.