One Democrat is on the ballot for the Indiana District 65 House seat being vacated by Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford.

Chris Woods, a union pipefitter, will face one of six Republicans after the May 2 primary.

Koch, a Bedford attorney, is running for the Senate District 44 seat held by Brent Steele, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Woods said the lack of a contested District 65 race in recent years is one of the reasons behind his decision to run. Libertarian Al Cox of Brown County faced Koch in 2012; Democrats did not field a candidate.

“I feel the most important thing this campaign will do is force conversations on the issues that really matter and provide a choice to the voters in our district,” Woods said.

“We no longer have to accept the status quo of our state’s out-of-touch government,” he said.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting with residents and listening to the concerns that affect all Hoosiers and am confident we can work together to create meaningful and appropriate solutions.”

Woods said he plans to provide a bold new vision to address the issues facing District 65. Issues of greatest concern are education, roads and drugs, he said.

“I am eager to meet with folks throughout the next several months and listen to their concerns,” Woods said. “I intend to be available. You will find me to be a down-to-earth and approachable candidate and representative.”

Woods graduated from Mitchell High School in 2004 and was accepted into the Pipefitters Apprenticeship program, where he completed his apprenticeship and received an applied science degree through Ivy Tech Community College.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Chris Woods” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Residence: Bedford

Occupation: Union pipefitter with Harrell-Fish Inc.

Political experience: None

Family: Wife, Brandi Holt Woods; one son

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