(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - A local tea party group leader has endorsed Don Bates for Indiana’s sixth district Congressman.

Alex Parniuk of Dearborn County’s We the Hoosiers endorsed Bates on Wednesday.

Bates, a financial advisory from Richmond, is among six candidates remaining in Indiana’s May 8 Republican primary election. The others are former state senator Bill Frazier, Columbus developer Travis Hankins, former state representative Luke Messer, Joseph Van Wye, and Joe Sizemore.

"As a voter and long time conservative I've always appreciated candidates answering questions not just with a set response but with a thoughtful analysis of the question resulting in a thorough answer and Don answers questions that way. That I appreciate,” Parniuk said.

Parniuk noted that We the Hoosiers does not endorse candidates, but he is as an individual voter.

"I am honored to accept the endorsement of Mr. Parniuk, a patriot fighting for our constitutional liberties,” Bates said. “In Congress, I will stand with Alex and his fellow lovers of liberty to reduce spending, reduce the size and scope of the federal government, and safeguard our personal liberties. It will take all of us pulling in the same direction to get our country back on the right track."

Meanwhile, Luke Messer – a member of the General Assembly from 2003-2006 – gained the endorsement of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels on Thursday.

"Luke Messer has been a key partner in most of our state's biggest policy achievements over the last seven years-leading the State Republican Party, helping craft a balanced state budget with no tax increases and providing better educational opportunities for all Hoosier children," said Daniels.