Souder, Thomas throw punches in ads

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Incumbent Mark Souder and contender Bob Thomas are waging a political war on the airwaves as they both run for the 3rd congressional district seat.

Ahead of the May primary, both Republicans are running campaign ads on either TV or radio, which mention or attack one another.

A current radio ad for Souder's re-election campaign even includes name-calling, referring to Thomas as 'Big Bucks Bob Thomas' and accuses him of spending "'half-a-million (dollars) shopping for a seat in congress."

A longtime car dealer, Thomas is making his first political run this year. He calls Congressman Mark Souder's campaign ads childish. "It reminds me of what it's like to be in the third grade," said Thomas.

Thomas says he isn't planning on spending anywhere close to half a million dollars on his campaign. He told NewsChannel 15, to date, he's only spent a little more than $50,000 on ads.

"When he says I'm trying to buy this seat, well the fact is, he's already sold it... to special interests groups in Washington D.C.," said Thomas.

Thomas is throwing his own punches. In a TV ad that aired this week, he says "Over the last 16 years in Washington, Souder has voted to support bailout after bailout and has allowed Washington to spend our children's money." He also questions Souder's conservatism."Mark Souder, like most career politicians, has forgot his conservative roots," says Thomas in the ad.

While there's a battle brewing over the airwaves, you won't likely see one on stage anytime soon. Souder refuses to enter into a debate with Thomas, saying he isn't a viable candidate yet. Thomas, however, calls that an excuse.

"He knows that if he has to stand in front of the voters in Northeast Indiana and defend his record, he's going to lose," said Thomas.

NewsChannel 15 called Souder's office for a comment. It released a statement, Wednesday evening, which in part reads: "Mark Souder's positions are well known. What is not clear to voters is who Bob Thomas is and what he stands for."