Egg farmer challenges Jim Banks for Indiana Senate
John Rust, whose household owns a big egg farming enterprise primarily based in Indiana, proudly payments himself as “homosexual conservative Republican.” He spoke with Fox Information Digital about why he’s operating for Senate in his house state.
A sixth-generation Indiana egg farmer is stepping as much as problem Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., within the GOP major for his or her state’s open Senate seat.
John Rust, an brazenly homosexual conservative Republican who leads the board of Rose Acre Farms, instructed Fox Information Digital that “social points” impressed him to get into the race.
“I am homosexual, I am married to a man. And there is numerous feedback that it’s important to help all these items that is happening in entrance of colleges with…transgender ideology being placed on younger youngsters. I am against that,” Rust stated.
He acknowledged that it was a “excessive mountain” to climb so as to win. Banks has for months been the favourite to take over for outgoing Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., and has clinched the help of each Senate Republican management and former President Trump.
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Rose Acre Farms Chairman John Rust is launching an extended shot bid for the open Senate seat in Indiana. (Fox Information Digital)
Nonetheless, Rust argued that he was “a greater candidate for Indiana.”
“I believe I am extra in contact with Hoosier voters,” Rust stated, noting that Banks has been in Washington since 2017. “He’s simply misplaced contact with what’s actually taking place in Indiana, particularly with inflation.”
He additionally attacked Banks’ deep bench of help, claiming the GOP institution was betting in opposition to him. “I believe they’re afraid I can win, and since I will be a voice for working women and men in Indiana in Washington,” he stated.
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Rust additionally dismissed Democrat criticism calling the GOP anti-LGBTQ total.
“I’d not be operating and as a Republican I if I did not assume I might win as a homosexual individual married to a man in 2024,” he stated. “It is about equal rights, not particular rights. And when individuals hear that they are like, ‘Yes, amen. I agree with that.’”
John Rust is difficult Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., within the Indiana GOP Senate major. (Invoice Clark/CQ Roll Name)
Banks responded to Rust’s feedback in a press release to Fox Information Digital referencing that Rust had voted in Democratic primaries – along with Republican races – prior to now.
“Shady John Rust can’t conceal the very fact he’s a lifetime liberal Democrat who’s now attempting to make use of the thousands and thousands of {dollars} he gouged from households throughout COVID to purchase a Senate seat. Hoosiers gained’t fall for it,” Banks instructed Fox Information Digital.
As Rust himself conceded, he’s possible going through an uphill battle to successful the seat.
The Indiana state Republican Occasion steered it had no ties to Rust when reached by Fox Information Digital final week. A spokesperson for the Indiana GOP stated Rust “by no means interacted” with them when requested for a contact for his marketing campaign and touch upon Rust getting into the race.
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When it was identified that Rust posted photos of himself on X, previously Twitter, attending a celebration operate this month, the Indiana GOP spokesperson stated, “These photos have been from our roughly 900-person state dinner — he should have sat at somebody’s desk.”
Rust can also be going through scrutiny from Banks’ allies over his voting historical past. Info proven to Fox Information Digital reveals Rust voted in a number of Democratic primaries between 2006 and 2012, although he stated he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020.
The open Senate seat is being vacated by Sen. Mike Braun, who’s operating for Indiana governor. (AP Picture/Michael Conroy, File)
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The businessman denied ever being affiliated with the Democratic Occasion, stating he solely voted for Democrats that he knew personally on these events.
“Again within the day, you understand, I knew individuals personally, or I went to church with, that have been native democratic officers that have been very pro-agriculture that I wished to assist preserve their seats – on native county boards, particularly,” he stated. “However I all the time had been a Republican. Should you take a look at my marketing campaign finance contributions, you will see that I’ve solely ever given to Republican candidates. I’ve by no means given to a Democratic candidate.”
