Congressman Marlin Stutzman officially announced his candidacy for Indiana’s U.S Senate seat in Roanoke, Saturday.

In front of a crowd of over 500 friends, family and supporters, Stutzman formally announced his candidacy saying, “We need tested proven conservative leadership to get our country back on track, that is why today I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate.”

Stutzman talked about the need for new leadership, “Right now, in this moment, we need that same brand of Hoosier leadership in Washington to finish the job. ”

Finally, Stutzman spoke about his commitment to reining in out of control spending in Washington saying, “Our national debt is now more than $18 trillion dollars and Obama continues to spend and spend. That is why earlier this year, I authored the conservative’s budget on the floor of the U.S. Congress. My budget balances in 6 years, keeps our nation secure, repeals Obamacare, and simplifies the tax code. A lot of Republicans talk about balancing the budget, but when the opportunity comes to do it, they fall short. I will not say one thing on this campaign and do another in the Senate. When I say I will fight to balance the budget, you know I am not just talking the talk, but I have walked the walk.”

Stutzman is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up on a farm in Howe. As co-owner with his father, Albert, his brothers and brother-in-law, they run Stutzman Farms, farming 3,000 acres in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. As a farmer and small business owner, he understands the challenges that hardworking Hoosiers face every day and believes that the best decisions are made at home.

As the U.S. Representative for Indiana’s Third Congressional District, Stutzman has been recognized for his leadership in Congress and has been awarded the “Guardian of Small Business Award” from the National Federation of Independent Business, “Champion of Small Business Award” from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” from the National Taxpayers Union.

Prior to running for Congress, Marlin ran for Indiana State Representative and became the youngest member of the Indiana General Assembly, where he served in both the House and the Senate from 2002-2010. He was honored to have an active role in taking Indiana from a $1 billion deficit to a more than $1 billion surplus without raising taxes and was instrumental in passing pro-growth, pro-family legislation in Indiana.

Stutzman and his wife Christy live in Howe, and have two sons, Payton and Preston.

After his event Saturday, the Marlin Stutzman for Senate campaign launched an updated www.MarlinStutzman.com for Hoosiers to learn about his commitment to Indiana values.