Surrounded by roughly 30 area Democrats and other local supporters, U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly kicked off his official re-election efforts in Logansport and Cass County Tuesday morning at American Legion Post 60.

The rally was the fourth of five stops Donnelly made throughout the district to announce his campaign. He visited South Bend, Elkhart and LaPorte on Monday, and he went on to Kokomo after his announcement in Logansport on Tuesday.

Donnelly said his interests were in serving the people of the 2nd District with a common sense approach to legislation.

While Republican candidate Luke Puckett, who spoke at several town hall meetings last week including one in Rochester, has repeatedly called out some of Donnelly’s policy beliefs during campaign events, Donnelly played up the successes of his first two years in office. He noted the passage of the Farm Bill and the opening of a new veterans center in Logansport while also hitting on his non-partisan record as the fifth most independent representative.

“That is what Logansport has had in its mayor, and I believe that’s what the whole district is looking for it in a congressman — someone who does what’s right and doesn’t worry about Democrats or Republicans, but makes the right decision for everyone,” said Donnelly. “... When you use that formula you end up with the farm bill and the veterans center.”

Cass County Democratic Party Chairman Matt Meagher, who introduced Donnelly during Tuesday’s rally, also touched on the congressman’s record, calling him “an independent voice” and a legislator who was “willing to work with Democrats and Republicans alike to serve the people.”

Meagher also credited Donnelly for his focus on issues in Logansport and Cass County.

“It’s been a long time since a legislator has devoted so much interest to Cass County,” he said.

Meagher also applauded Donnelly’s efforts to bring the veterans center. The facility is the first of its kind in the nation and will combine the Veterans Benefits Administration, Vets Center and Veterans Health Administration. The center, which was announced in mid-June, is housed temporarily at the senior citizens center on Sixth Street in Logansport and will serve veterans throughout the region.

“Folks, let’s face it, Logansport isn’t the kind of town to get the first in the nation for anything,” said Meagher.

Those who spoke at the rally, including Farm Bureau president Steve Sullivan, applauded not only Donnelly’s focus on communities throughout the district but also his accessibility during his first term.

Sullivan said the congressman’s willingness to listen led to the passage of a bill to help farmers throughout Indiana and six other Midwestern states maintain their base for subsidies while also practicing proper land maintenance with crop rotation.

Donnelly also spoke of his accomplishments with the GI Bill and the E-85 Pump Act. He also talked about his commitment to promoting research in alternative energies while exploring domestic oil drilling possibilities.

“Indiana is the center of the green revolution in this country,” said Donnelly, referring to research and advancements throughout the state in cellulosic ethanol, biofuels and wind and solar energies. “We’re gong to be all in on those alternatives, and we have to look at other methods.”

Steve Miller, a lifelong Cass County resident and a representative of the United Steel Workers Union, said he came to the event to show his support and the union’s support for the congressman.

“We’re a small community, a farming community,” said Miller. “He supports that, and he supports the labor movement.”

Carla Knapp can be contacted at (574) 732-5150 or via e-mail at carla.knapp@pharostribune.com