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Farmer Kip Tom joins crowded 3rd District congressional race

LEESBURG, Ind. (AP) – A northeastern Indiana farmer has joined the crowded field of Republicans seeking to succeed U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman in Congress.

Kip Tom of Leesburg filed a statement of candidacy for the 3rd District congressional seat with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old Tom is the managing member of Tom Farms and has served on local and national farm panels.

Also seek the GOP nomination are state Sens. Jim Banks of Columbia City and Liz Brown of Fort Wayne, former Wisconsin state senator Pam Galloway of Warsaw and former Whitley County Council member Scott Wise. Fort Wayne resident Tommy Schrader and Huntington businessman Todd Nightenhelser are seeking the Democratic nod.

Stutzman, a LaGrange County farmer, is seeking the U.S. Senate seat that Republican incumbent Dan Coats is retiring from.