SOUTH BEND — Republican Congressional candidate Tony Zirkle defended his comments about revisiting the idea of segregation, saying they were taken out of context.

"No one's calling for segregation as to what we saw in the past, where it was removing political power and oppressing the African-American community, that was wrong and that was criminal," Zirkle told WSBT News.

Tony Zirkle is one of four candidates who wants to challenge Congressman Joe Donnelly in the fall.

In comments to both the South Bend Tribune and the Kokomo Perspective, Zirkle questioned whether desegregation has worked. He cited high out of wedlock birth rates and high crime rates to support his position.

“What I'm trying to do is call some attention to some serious and important issues in the black and white community that need to be addressed and are not being addressed,” Zirkle said.

Zirkle believes those issues can be dealt with without segregation. But if those efforts fail, he says a modern, non-oppressive form of segregation may be a necessary evil.

He told WSBT News his plan would give blacks more political power.

“They would have six states, so instead of having one half-black senator, well they would have 12,” Zirkle said. "That's a phenomenal increase in political power.”

St. Joseph County Republican Party Chairman Chris Riley told WSBT News the comments do not reflect Republican values.

“This is the party of Abraham Lincoln and when somebody runs as a Republican that means something,” Riley said. “There is a history and tradition to this party and these comments betray that history and tradition.”

Zirkle received 30 percent of the vote in the 2006 Republican Primary against Former Congressman Chris Chocola in 2006. He’s made other outrageous statements in the past.

"I know what he was trying to do. He's trying to get his name in the papers and generate some publicity for a fledgling congressional campaign," Riley said. "But the comments that he made degrade many people, are hurtful and regressive."

Two of Zirkle’s opponents in the Republican primary, Luke Puckett and Joseph Roush, have denounced the comments.

Democratic leaders, including Congressman Joe Donnelly, have done the same thing.

African-American leaders say they are offended.

"I think that our country is in a state of trying to come together in ways that it never has before and to hear those very disturbing comments by Mr. Zirkle is disturbing,” said Rev. Timothy Rouse, a Democrat and president of the South Bend Common Council. “Persons with that kind of mindset would not be worthy of being elected officials."

Zirkle says the criticism of his views doesn't bother him. Even if he doesn't win, he says at least the issues are out there.