Campaign Clips

If you’re still asking yourself whether you should vote, consider this: The biggest reason you should vote is to bring back balance to our democracy in Indiana! For almost 25 years, this state has been under one-party rule with the Republican party controlling the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The result of this type of political control is we now have less of a democratic process occurring in our state than if we had a more balanced approach to government. Our elected officials should not be professional politicians, and they should not be entitled to permanent employment regardless of how well or poorly they serve us.   The trap of one political party ruling a state is that we are not getting the best solutions to solving the state's greatest problems. We need to get the best planning and thinking on how to advance this state that will benefit all of us and not just some of us. We are, at best, getting a one-sided perspective, or worse, we are getting no perspective and no interest or energy in advancing the state forward. Why should somebody bother to do their job when they feel like they have it for life?   Our democracy is so broken that our state representatives and state senators can go through many election cycles with no opponents. This means they have unchecked power to act in ways that do not represent voters but only represent themselves. This can easily be seen in several areas of life in Indiana right now. For example, we have some of the lowest voter turnouts in the country. Voting has been made harder for all of us. Last week, when I went to vote in the Brownsburg Library, I had to wait for 2 hours and 20 minutes just to vote. That is outrageous and can be easily fixed. Our time as voters should be respected and not wasted. This occurred because of unchecked power and elected officials who are tone-deaf to what affects our daily lives. The only way to force professional politicians to listen to us is to vote them out of office. We should only have citizen lawmakers in this state, per our constitution. That’s one reason I want to institute term limits. When elected, I will not serve more than eight years.   Vote today to bring back balance to our democracy!

On Point: Indiana and Guns: Our Approach To Guns Is Killing Us As schools start back up, so does the violence against children in schools. As soon as the school room doors opened, we began to see what feels like a daily occurrence of gun violence. Did you know that in 1998 the number one cause of death for children was accidents, and now, 26 years later in 2024, the number one cause of death is gun violence? This is insane and must stop. For almost 25 years in Indiana, the ruling Republican Party has controlled all areas of state government. My opponent has been in office since 1998 and is a leader of his party. This mess is their doing, yet they do not appear to have the courage to change it. The results are in: their approach to gun ownership has failed, and our kids are paying the price.   To be clear, I am completely focused on gun violence and what actions the government can take to reduce gun violence. I am not talking about taking away anyone’s guns. These are two different things, and mixing them up is the root cause of how we have gotten to this terrible place. I do not have any answers, but I do have many questions with the single goal of reducing gun violence in our schools.   I encourage you to act. Vote out the politicians who put politics and personal interests ahead of our kids’ lives. Vote in people who will sit down and do the tough work of enacting policies that will reduce gun violence.   As your next Indiana State Rep. for District 28, I will call upon the best minds, researchers, and experts to present well-researched, proven actions that would, in fact, reduce gun violence. I have an open mind and the determination that we can do better. I will call upon all elected officials from both political parties and our governor to work together and champion a set of actions that will reduce gun violence because our kids’ lives depend on us taking action now.

On Point: Indiana and Great Jobs That Could Be Better It is important to talk about how our state government can support each of us and our labors through what I call great jobs! For me, great jobs are jobs that are secure now and in the future, empowering you to pay your bills on time, afford emergencies, have health insurance, and that allow you to retire comfortably. As a college president, each time I shook a student’s hand when they crossed the graduation stage, that’s what I wanted for every graduate.   So, how do we get from wanting great jobs to having great jobs? We need a set of really well thought-out proven actions where our state government is willing to meet each of us halfway toward great jobs. We are a capitalist democracy, and each of us has certain responsibilities (work hard, prepare via education, follow the rules, etc.), and at the same time, our state government also has certain responsibilities (use the state’s powers and resources to benefit all of us). Great jobs for every Hoosier should have the full support of the Governor, both political parties in the legislature, the state administrative leaders in both education and economic development, major employers, and most importantly, educational leaders from K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. This is a big effort that requires all hands on deck. If elected officials who are not willing to get on board in a broad, bipartisan way, then need to be replaced with folks who will put the future of this state ahead of their own selfish interests.   We need a clear plan for the future that is online, that all of us can read, understand, and monitor its progress every 90 days. We need to see how our tax dollars are being used to create great jobs and that the jobs, in fact, are created. We need to offer strategic and proven incentives to employers to create and sustain great jobs. We need to create deterrents to employers who will not offer great jobs. And, Hoosiers deserve clear and attainable pathways for what they can do to prepare themselves for great jobs.   As your next State Rep. for District 28, I will push state government to do all it can to partner with each Hoosier and every employer to ensure great jobs. I want to bring more companies who will offer great jobs to the state. I want to offer programs and services that will inspire our young adults to stay and live in Indiana. I want government to serve and support people throughout their working years.

Indiana State Government: What Is It Good For? As I talk with more and more voters, it is clear that most folks do not know what their taxes are buying in terms of goods and services. I also think those in government, both politicians and government professionals, could do a better job of explaining and showing what our money does for all of us.   I am sure that this list is not complete, but I wanted to share what I found with a bit of digging. Here is Karen’s list of what state government provides:  • Elementary and High Schools: This includes paying for all the people and all the things that go into teaching. This includes our teachers’ salaries, paying for all the other people from folks who keep the place clean to the principal and superintendent, who provide leadership and support to our teachers and other educators. This also includes paying for and maintaining the buildings, paying for the buses, and for all of the stuff in the school buildings, essentially, everything that makes our schools our schools for our kids. The less the state pays, the less teachers make, the bigger class size gets, and the smellier the gym gets due to lack of maintenance.   • Colleges and Universities: This includes Ivy Tech, IU, Purdue, Ball State, and others. By the way, a long time ago, Indiana stopped its full commitment to colleges. Over the decades, bit by bit, we are funding higher education less and less. The less the state supports colleges, the more each of you pays directly in tuition and fees.   • Health and Hospitals: This includes spending money on community and public health programs, supporting hospitals, medical schools, children’s hospitals, health programs for substance abuse, mental health, county health inspections, and air and water quality.     • Highways and Roads: This is really about maintaining our roads. So think about that the next time your car is eaten by a pothole.   • Police, Courts and Corrections, Fire Protection: These efforts get done by the state and also by many other municipal organizations, like cities, towns, and counties.   Public Welfare: Many programs are federally funded and administered by the state. This includes helping folks of modest means with their healthcare through Medicaid; Supplemental Security Income; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Helping Needy Families; Housing Assistance; and programs for senior citizens, babies, and children.   • Housing and Community Development: This includes efforts by the state to encourage new housing, redeveloping housing that is in disrepair, public housing for folks of modest means, rental assistance, promoting homeownership, and revitalizing/helping communities.   • Clean Water, Sewer, Solid Waste, and Sanitation Services: These efforts get done by the state and also by many other municipal organizations, like cities, towns, and counties.   • Parks, Libraries, Walking Trails, Sidewalks, and Other Public Spaces: These efforts get done by the state and also by many other municipal organizations, like cities, towns, and counties.   So, the next time someone says that they want to cut your taxes, ask yourself which of these things do you want to give up?   As your next State Rep., I will work first to make sure every dollar is spent well. Second, I will make sure to keep asking you how you want your dollars spent and to keep investing in what matters most to you. Third, we need a plan on where we are going with all of these services that our taxes pay for over time.

HCCF is proud to partner with The Republican Newspaper, the Hendricks County GOP, and the Hendricks County Democrats to present the County-wide 2024 General Election Meet the Candidate Forums. All events will take place at the North and South Halls of the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. To RSVP to the September Meet the Candidate Forums, click here. All candidates will be invited to set up a table at each of the two forums. Tabling will end at 6:45 pm each night. After tabling, the candidates for contested elections will be given the chance to speak form the stage. If you want to submit questions for candidates to answer on stage, click here. Questions will not be allowed from the floor during the stage portion; however, attendees are encouraged to meet candidates at their tables on the other side of the hall. Questions were submitted via online survey, reviewed by our Editorial Board, and submitted to candidates in advance of the event. Our Editorial Board includes the Chairperson of the Hendricks County Democrats, a representative from the Hendricks County GOP, the Editor of The Republican Newspaper, and the President & CEO of the Hendricks County Community Foundation. NOTE: All questions will remain anonymous. During the stage portion of the event, candidates will be given 3 minutes for opening remarks, 3 minutes to answer the questions presented to them prior to the event, and 3 minutes for closing remarks. For those who are unable to attend the events, they will be recorded and shared on YouTube for future viewing. FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE: https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators September 11 State Senate District 7 Brian Buchanan (R) State Senate District 24 Brett Clark (R) Veronica Pejril (D) State Senate District 35 R. Michael Young (R) Jessica McCormick (D) State Representative District 25 Becky Cash (R) Tiffany Stoner (D) State Representative District 28 Jeff Thompson (R) Karen Whitney (D) State Representative District 57 Craig Haggard (R) Attorney General Todd Rokita (R) Destiny Wells (D) Only contested elections will be represented on stage; however, anyone running for office may set up a booth at any of the sessions to meet attendees.

Indiana and Women's Health: Why is the government governing our bodies? ​ ​​This is a tough question that deserves a clear answer.  My stance on abortion is that I trust people. I trust women. I trust that each of us is in the best position to figure out how to keep ourselves healthy and alive. We are fortunate to live in a country where we have made tremendous scientific and medical advances. We should have the freedom to pursue these benefits of science and healthcare. Government should not be with us in our doctors’ offices. Government should not force our doctors to only offer us some healthcare. Our doctors and all healthcare professionals are well qualified professionals who work under a clearly established, science-backed set of best practices. Government should support and trust us and our doctors. If a woman, after thoughtful consideration and supported by her healthcare professionals, decides to have an abortion, then she has my full support now and when I become a State Rep.   As your next State Rep. for District 28, I will work to repeal our state’s bad laws that do not trust and actually hurt women. Women deserve better.

Indiana and Education: The State Is Out Of Its Lane and Mind About Banning Books, Indiana & Banning Books It’s Not A Good Look I just watched a PBS news report describing the recent Indiana legislation that incites banning books and criminalizes teachers and librarians for possibly sort of kinda of (yes the law is that vague) using or having books for kids that any wack-a-do could claim is obscene. The story is not a good look for our state. It sends a message that we are a state that does not care for people of color or people who are LGBTQ. It sends a message that we have confused books that some of us may find objectionable to be obscene and should be kept from the rest of us. It says that teachers and librarians are not to be trusted to be highly credentialed experts who with the advice of parents should have the final say. How did we get so messed up? We are a good state made up of good people. We got this way because for far too long one party has ruled this state resulting in increasingly extremist state laws and policies. Banning books is an example of that extremism. As the next State Rep for District 28, I will work tirelessly to repeal this legislation and to fully support and empower teachers, libraries, other educators and administrators to do the important work we need them to do on behalf of the kids. Learn more: PBS news: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/book-restrictions-in-indiana-pressure-public-schools-and-libraries-to-remove- books

Indiana and Taxes: A Broken System Being Fixed By The One’s Who Broke It Is it just me or have we in Indiana always been cranky about our taxes? While it is true that according to most surveys of state tax rates you will see that for a total state tax burden we are in the bottom third of what we pay (that’s good), so why are we cranky? I think we are cranky because of 4 things: • No transparency • No Accountability • No Communication • No Plan The state ruled by one political party, The Republicans, are not transparent and resist being held accountable with how our tax money is spent. They fail to communicate to us about all the goods, services and programs that the state provides so we can know if we are getting our money’s worth. The ruling Republican party has no plan for our future. There certainly is no plan on how the state works effectively with all the other local governments and others who receive tax dollars to collectively serve the tax payers. There is no clear plan that reflects what we want as tax payers. We get bits and pieces of changes to our taxes thrown at us with a take it or leave it attitude. We need a plan that really serves us well today and in the future. We need an approach to taxes that ensures that the state AND all of our local governments including counties, cities, towns, health and hospitals, schools and universities have the resources to do their jobs, well. Once we can get on board to what we want from our governments, then we can consider the fairest way to fund them through taxes. Our current approach to taxes is broken, as I talk with more and more people this is what I am learning. Senior citizens and others on a fixed in-come are increasingly anxious about being able to pay their property taxes. Farmers worry about being put out of business because of taxes. Sales taxes are broken which really hurts people who are barely getting by. Income tax is broken when the hard working 99% of us pay a higher percentage of net income tax then the top 1%. This is broken. The ruling Republican Party has controlled the legislature and the executive branch for most of the last 25 years. They made this mess and have not fixed it. So, I do not see this current legislature and the current government doing anything but kicking the can down the road. As your next State Rep District 28, I will join with other Demo-crats and we will bring transparency, accountability, communication and a real plan for the future. We will fix this mess.

Indiana and Smart Government: Why Is the Ability to Vote so Restricted in Indiana? I have been told that Indiana has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country. Below are a couple reasons I think voter turnout is so low in Indiana and what I think might help improve the situation. Did you know, you have to be registered to vote a full month ahead of the election? That's right: October 7th is the deadline for the November 5th election. For many people who live in 2024, and not 1924, this is inconceivable. Why can’t you register to vote on election day? We’ve streamlined so many other processes to accommodate peoples’ busy lives. Better yet, how about when you get or update your driver’s license you are automatically registered to vote? Did you also know that on November 5th, the polls are only open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.? Good luck if you have a full-time job, kids to pick up from school, or have to drive any distance to where you vote. Not to mention, you may work for an employer that does not support your right to vote. Good luck voting on that day. Did you know that most states’ polls stay open later for this very reason? Did you know that if you want to vote absentee, you actually have to give a reason? Whose business is it if you just want to take care of your civic duty via an absentee ballot? At least, I am thankful that we have early voting. As your next State Rep., I will work to make it super easy to vote. I want to explore what it would take to be able to register all the way up to when you go vote. What about linking getting a driver’s license to voter registration? As your next State Rep., I want to extend voting from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. This way, you don’t have to choose between picking up the kids or voting. As your next State Rep., I want you to be able to apply for an absentee ballot and not have to say why you want one, possibly being denied the ability to vote absentee. These are simple steps to making state government work for all of US!