Tony Zirkle

Tony Zirkle is a an attorney and frequent candidate in Indiana. He has run on strong opposition to pornography and prostitution. In the 2006 Republican primary he attained 30% against Chris Chocola who later lost to Joe Donnelly in the general election.

Biography

Zirkle is a Seventh-day Adventist. He studied law at Indiana University (Bloomington). [ [http://www.spectrummagazine.org/blog/2008/04/23/adventist_political_hopeful_speaks_neonazi_group Adventist Political Hopeful Speaks to Neo-Nazi Group | Spectrum ] ]

2008 candidacy and controversy

In the 2008 election he garnered national attention by appearing at a Neo-Nazi celebration of Adolf Hitler's birthday. [ [http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/108330.html Jewish Telegraphic Agency] ] [ [http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=62997 WorldNetDaily] ] He defended this by stating that he will speak to any group that asks and that the event was an opportunity to preach the gospel. He has previously made statements skeptical or critical of Racial integration. These elements led several local Republicans to call him "repugnant" or "backwards." [ [http://www.wsbt.com/news/election/2008/17972444.html By DUSTIN GROVE, WSBT-TV and NANCY J. SULOK, Tribune Staff Writer] ] He has allegedly received death threats over the controversy. [ [http://www.tonyzirkle.com/CAMPAIGN/Tony_Zirkle_Responds_to_Death_Threats_2008_04_25 Tony Zirkle's website] ] He later finished third in the 2008 primary with Luke Puckett being the winner. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050602698.html Washington Post] ]

References