Though he secured the votes of only two delegates, or about 1 percent, at the Republican Party’s March 15 preprimary nominating convention, Greg Sowards said he’s staying in the Second Congressional District race because he’s different than the other candidates.

“I’m running on a platform of conservative core principles and not party politics,” Sowards said in a news release.

Sowards filed on Tuesday additional signatures in an attempt to stay in the race. The Secretary of State’s Office has until next Tuesday to certify his candidacy.

The release states that the “fiercely independent” Sowards is in a race that is “crowded with party regulars” and is running on “the strength of fellow citizens who share his vision for the future.”

“In the past, we have sent decent people to Washington only to be disappointed when they trade their allegiance to their constituents for that of other members of Congress,” Sowards said. “I promise to always represent the interests of the people of the Second District and be responsive to their needs.”

Sowards said there is “growing dissatisfaction with the partisanship in Congress that accomplishes little for the people who send them there.” He pledged, if elected, to work to reverse the growth of the federal government, cut taxes and reduce regulation.

“Raising a family, owning a business and wearing the uniform of my country prepared me to bring a perspective to Washington that the professional politicians have forgotten,” Sowards said. “The problems we have at the national level have their roots at the local level and (in) the process that winnows out those who would actually make a difference in Washington and be the kind of representative voters want and so desperately need.”

Sowards will be competing with four other Republicans for the party’s nomination.