Former nurse from Atlanta joins 5th District congressional race

Another Republican candidate is joining the crowded 5th Congressional District race.

Beth Henderson, a farmer and former nurse, announced her campaign Thursday morning.

In a statement, Henderson said she’s running because she cares about the district and wants to be a voice for its residents in Washington, D.C.

“I’m not a career politician now, and I never will be,” Henderson said. “We need to get back to the idea of citizen servants in public office who will put their skills and talents to work for the people, not themselves. That’s how I’ll treat my time in Congress, and I’m asking for the support of each and every voter across the Fifth District who shares that belief in how our government should work.”

Henderson’s campaign website says she supports low taxes, cutting business regulations, securing the southern border, reforming health care and protecting the Second Amendment. She also is pro-life.

Her husband, businessman Terry Henderson, initially entered the 2018 GOP primary for U.S. Senate but dropped out early on, saying he didn’t have the necessary funds to compete.

Henderson is the sixth Republican competing to replace Republican Susan Brooks, who has represented the district since 2013 and announced in June that she would not seek re-election in 2020.

Former Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Kent Abernathy, retired Riley Hospital for Children doctor Chuck Dietzen, Indiana State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell, Noblesville pastor Micah Beckwith and Concise Capital Management fund accountant Danny Niederberger are also running. Republican Steve Braun suspended his campaign earlier this week due to an unspecified health issue.

The 5th District includes the northern portion of Indianapolis and the northern and eastern suburbs. Henderson lives in Atlanta.