INDIANA, (NETWORK INDIANA): A controversy which flared more than a year ago is setting up a primary battle for a Fort Wayne legislator next year.

Republican Representative Bob Morris took heat last February for a letter to fellow legislators accusing the Girl Scouts of promoting “radical policies” on abortion, sex education and homosexuality. Morris apologized five days later for what he said was the “emotional and inflammatory” tone of the letter, but stood by the substance of the charges.

The controversy erupted after the filing deadline for the primary, and Morris cruised to reelection in November with 60-percent of the vote. But attorney Michael Barranda and business owner Mark Hagar have both launched bids to unseat Morris in next year’s primary. Barranda flirted with a third-party run against Morris last year after the controversy, saying voters needed a conservative alternative to “restore credibility” to the seat. Hagar says Morris “left a lot of room” to have handled the Girl Scout situation better, but says that‘s not why he‘s running.

He says as a businessman, he‘s concerned about federal interference in state affairs, and says he‘d push legislators to take stronger stands asserting rights of gun ownership, privacy, and the First Amendment.