CROWN POINT | A Crown Point man who withdrew in February from the Republican primary race in Indiana House District 19 will have a second chance at getting on the ballot, though he doesn't call it that.

"It's not a second chance. It's just an opportunity and a need," said Jim Cuffia, 44.

The Crown Point civil engineer has been the only person so far to announce he would like to fill the vacancy left last week after Republican primary election winner Andrew Webster withdrew from the ballot.

If Cuffia is selected by the GOP caucus set to pick Webster's replacement, it will mark his fourth run for elected office.

"I'm like everybody else. I'd love to play golf and go home and eat dinner with my wife, but right now this is a calling," Cuffia said.

Cuffia ran against Laura Sauerman last year for the Crown Point City Council's 4th District seat. In 2004, he ran as an independent against state Rep. Bob Kuzman, D-Crown Point, for the District 19 seat. And in 2003, Cuffia ran as a write-in candidate for an at-large City Council seat.

In February, he decided to run for the District 19 seat again, but withdrew his name after learning that Republicans Webster and Bill Johnson also were running.

Cuffia said he thinks his engineering training will bring necessary skills to the office.

"I have the analytical skills and the technical skills and the know-how on issues of the region," he said.

Cuffia said he's not so much attracted to public office as he is to public service. The back of his business card lists the ideals he said he hopes to bring to the office: individual liberty, personal property rights, limited government spending and regulations, and reduced government debt.

"I don't think (coming in late) hurts," Cuffia said. "But I do think it presents a bigger challenge."

Webster withdrew his name Tuesday, citing changes in his priorities and actions within the party as the reasons for his withdrawal. He beat Johnson by only 24 votes and was scheduled to face state Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, in November. VanDenburgh was appointed to the seat in 2007 after Kuzman left to take a job with Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller.

Lake County Republican Chairman John Curley said Wednesday he didn't know who may fill Webster's vacancy, but he expects to have the caucus that will select the new candidate scheduled soon.