Independent attempts to enter 12th District race

A Scottdale man intends to run for the 12th Congressional District seat as an independent candidate.

Dr. Bruce Teich, 55, said he needs to collect about 3,100 signatures to have his name placed on the general election ballot. He stopped by the Daily American Tuesday to talk about the race.

Teich, a former Republican, decided to change political parties last year when he discussed running for the seat with his family. Being an independent means he will not be subject to party pressure, he said.

“We need true conservative thinkers in Congress,” he said. “We have to stand by those principles, not the whims of the party.”

He acknowledges that he will face an uphill battle.

“I think it can be done,” he said.

Teich said this is the first time he has put a campaign together for public office. He sent a mailing to voters in January.

“I wanted to do it for a long ...