INDIANAPOLIS Two northeast Indiana veteran female legislators face similar primary challenges in the Indiana House this May as each seeks to serve a third term.
Their opponents have tea party leanings and question numerous recent votes by Rep. Kathy Heuer, R-Columbia City, and Rep. Rebecca Kubacki, R-Syracuse.
The incumbents, though, are standing by their records.
Heuer serves House District 83, which covers parts of Allen and Whitley counties. Kubacki serves House District 22, which covers parts of Kosciusko and Elkhart counties.
The winners of the primaries will appear on the November ballot. The two-year term pays a base salary of more than $24,000. After leadership and expense pay, that salary ranges from $49,000 to about $71,000 for a part-time job.
Heuer, 66, was born and raised in Columbia City and spent about 10 years owning and running a womens retail clothing store in Columbia City and Warsaw. After that, she went into real estate until she retired her license last year. Now she does a lot of volunteer work and serves on several boards of directors, in addition to being a state lawmaker.
Ive really poured my heart and soul into legislative matters, she said.
Her opponent, 35-year-old Christopher Judy, grew up in Whitley County and now lives in Aboite Township. He spent seven years in the Indiana Army National Guard as a combat medic, including one tour in Iraq in 2008.
He has worked at General Motors since 2006. Judy identifies as Republican but said a lot of his views align with the tea party.
In the House District 22 race, Kubacki, 61, grew up in Pierceton and lived in Chicago and Los Angeles before settling back in the area 15 years ago. She spent her time as a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer.
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Tea party views enter race in House districts