While heavy national and state attention has been given to Democratic and Republican candidates running in the 15th Congressional district, there is an independent that's on the ballot, invited to debates and has registered in a public poll: Don Eckhart.

Eckhart gathered 7 percent in the Survey USA poll released this month, and has been invited to participate in this fall's debates sponsored by AARP and the local Chambers of Commerce debates with Franklin Co. Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus) and state Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus).

Eckhart, a former legislative analyst who dealt with budgetary matters for the state, said he's running mainly because he feels he's the only pro-life candidate in the race, touting his endorsement in the race by Ohio Right to Life. The group told PolitickerOH.com that neither Kilroy or Stivers returned questionnaires it sent to them.

However, Eckhart didn't attack Stivers or Kilroy because he said he doesn't believe cutting other candidates down is responsible.

"I hate the politics that has overtaken our country with negative ads, misrepresentation of the truth, and destruction of personal character," Eckhart said. "I have pledged a clean campaign and will uphold my pledge."

NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Stivers a zero rating when it reviewed his voting record in 2004 and Stivers himself said he's a centrist on abortion.

"Like a majority of Americans, I have a middle-ground position, which puts me at odds at times with folks on the left and right of me who honestly see things differently on this complex issue," Stivers said, adding he believes abortion is a question "for a family and their clergy" and supports a ban on partial-birth abortion and parental notification and consent laws.

"I think as a nation we have gotten caught up on the ideological debate rather than focusing on where there is common ground -- whether you're pro-life or pro-choice: we have a moral obligation to make abortion rare in this country through education and increased support for adoption," Stivers said.

Eckhart said he feels God has inspired him to run for Congress in a different way than other candidates run, namely by serving all people instead of narrow special interests. Eckhart's said he wants to repair a political system broken by campaign donations from special interests to candidates. When asked how he would fix this problem, Eckhart said the first step would be taken by voters.

"Well just by the fact I was elected would go a long way in fixing it," he said, adding that it's false to believe candidates must raise large sums of money to be competitive.

Eckhart said he's raised $370 for his campaign but is otherwise paying for his campaign out-of-pocket. Eckhart said he's advertising on two radio stations but primarily is delivering his message by traveling and e-mailing voters, activities he spends 60 hours a week dong. Eckhart teaches management training seminars part-time.