Former Newton County Sheriff Myron Sutton, a Democrat, is making a second bid for the 15th District state representative slot, hoping to unseat incumbent Don Lehe, a three-term Republican legislator and farmer from Brookston, after coming close in 2006 with only 27 votes separating them.

"I expect it to be a close one again," Lehe said.

He said the recent economic meltdown is bound to be felt at the polls. Still, he said, "It will affect us all a little, but Indiana has positioned itself well to weather it better than some other states."

Lehe said he always campaigns hard, and this year has been no different. He said voters should return him to the seat that state Republican officials have called key in regaining control of the Indiana House to keep progress on the move.

"We've gotten so much accomplished, especially in the last four years," Lehe said. "There has been huge progress in job creation and economic development."

Lehe strongly supports 10 percent tax credits for companies that invest in renewable energy such as the wind turbines already in the district.

Best known for his eight years as the Newton County sheriff, Myron Sutton's ties, however, extend across the district.

"I think I really understand the neighborhoods and the culture," Sutton said, explaining that he was born in Hammond, his wife is from Crown Point, they were married in Cedar Lake, and have numerous family members and friends in Lowell and Lake Dalecarlia.

"I'm proud to say that I've knocked on more than 14,000 doors in the district," Sutton said, adding that each encounter helps him to understand the needs of the people living there.

He's learned, Sutton said, that some people have had to go out of state to find jobs, and that's why he believes strongly in helping small businesses.

"They are an important part of our economy," he said, noting that he will push hard for loans and tax incentives to help small businesses. He also favors worker retraining programs that would be available at any point in a person's career.