Batesville Native Ferkinhoff Pledges To Donate Salary If He's Elected To Congress

By Mike Perleberg Tom Ferkinhoff has filed to run for the Republican nomination for Indiana's 6th Congressional District. Photo provided. (Richmond, Ind.) - A native of Batesville says he’s going to run for Congress. Tom Ferkinhoff is a tax and business adviser from Richmond. He has filed to seek the Republican nomination in Indiana’s 6th Congressional District in the May 8 primary election. “I have gotten to where I am in life through relentless hard work,” Ferkinhoff says. “I have worked not just for myself, but for the benefit of my clients and for the less fortunate in our community. No one will work harder on behalf of the American people, and particularly on behalf of the citizens of the 6th district.” His platform includes implementing term limits for members of Congress, tax reform, marijuana legalization as a state issue, and secure borders with a comprehensive and inclusive discussion on immigration reform. If he’s elected, Ferkinhoff is pledging to donate at least 20 percent of his congressional salary to charities in the 6th District. He says he would also donate at the end of his term 100 percent of the increase in his net worth from the time he enters office until he leaves. He has also vowed to not accept campaign contributions from corporations or special interests, accept health insurance benefits given to members of Congress, or accept employment from any lobbying organization after leaving office. “When I have a problem with someone, I will address it with that person directly and not tweet about it,” Ferkinhoff said. Current Indiana 6th District Congressman Luke Messer, a Republican, is not seeking re-election in the district. Instead, he is running for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Joe Donnelly. Ferkinhoff is the first GOP member to officially file for the primary election. Other Republicans who have launched campaigns in the 6th district include the vice president’s brother Greg Pence, business owner Jonathan Lamb, and Army reservist Stephen MacKenzie. Democrats planning to run in the 6th include Rising Sun attorney Lane Siekman, Greensburg attorney Jim Pruett, Muncie Matters Alliance founder Jeannine Lee-Lake, and Arturas Kerelis of Beverly Shores.