Ron Wilkins

Journal & Courier

Libertarians tapped Steven Mayoras of West Lafayette to stand for election in Indiana's 4th Congressional District against GOP incumbent Todd Rokita and Democratic candidate John Dale.

Like many others, Mayoras often lamented the state of affairs in Congress so his wife, Holly, called him out.

“She said you’re always talking about it, why don’t you do something?” Steven Mayoras said Wednesday after the Libertarian Party announced its candidate.

Steven and Holly Mayoras run Pooch at Play, a dog day care in West Lafayette, Steven Mayoras said. Additionally, Steven Mayoras works as a recruiter for Indiana Packers Corp. in Delphi.

“Quite honestly, I don’t feel I’m being represented,” Steven Mayoras said when asked why he was running. “I’m not really pleased with Todd Rokita’s voting record.

“Time and time again, (Rokita votes for) more spending. You look at his voting record.”

Rokita's record shows a pattern of increased federal spending in light of a national debt of more than $19 trillion, Mayoras said.

Rokita votes for more federal government intrusions into state government, education, the economy and businesses, not to mention individuals' lives, Mayoras said.

“I think I can help (voters) realize you do have actual representation in Washington,” Mayoras said.

His guiding principle, he said, will be what he believes is limited government as per the Constitution.

“What is a representative’s job description?” Mayoras rhetorically said, adding that Congress' constitutional role is actually much more limited than many realize.

If elected, he plans to shrink the size of the federal government and return government responsibilities back to the states.

“Indiana knows what’s best for Indiana,” he said.

The Journal & Courier reached out to Rokita and Dale's campaigns for comments about Mayoras and his entry into the campaign.

"Republicans have saved nearly $1 trillion compared to where the (former House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi ... would have taken us for the last five years," Rokita said. "... Your readers have heard much about my latest bill, the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016. It's just my most recent example of conservative leadership, this one responsibly targeting resources to feed our children in need without adding to the debt."

Dale's campaign did not respond to calls and an email.

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