Four Republican candidates seeking to return to or enter the U.S. Congress next year give President Donald Trump high marks for his performance since entering the White House 15 months ago.

Asked to assign a letter grade for overall performance, incumbent Rep. Jackie Walorski of the 2nd District, and three candidates running for U.S. Senate – Mike Braun, and Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita – offered their impressions Wednesday night during the Kosciusko County Republican fish fry at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

All four gave varying degrees of an “A” to Trump and also offered thoughts on two issues of national interest – the president’s threat to establish tariffs against China and Trump’s handling of Amazon, the mega online company that he contends is not paying its fair share for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver its goods.

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Braun and the two other Senate candidates are vying for a chance to challenge Democrat incumbent Joe Donnelly.

A businessman from Jasper, Braun said he would give the president an “A-minus” and called him an inspiration for the way he ran as  an outsider.

“His style has had some people off balance, but I give him a high grade for getting the tax deal through, which would not have gotten done without him there,” Braun said.

He applauded the tax cuts and removal of regulations and the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

“I think he’s unwound a ton of regulations that he gets no credit for that Obama had penciled in through the executive rulings and administrative rulings,” Braun said.

He also supports Trump’s recent proposed action against China.

“I think the tariffs were done just right because it was aimed at the true abuser,” he said.

Trump is the first one to stand up to China’s manipulation of currency and what he calls “industrial espionage,” he said.

At the least, he’s moved the needle, he said.

“It’s got a conversation going that needed to be had that we didn’t have before.”

He agrees with Trump’s criticism that Amazon skirts paying sales taxes in many places to the disadvantage of brick and mortar retailers across the country.

“A big company with all that where with all shouldn’t be subsidized by the government,” Braun said. “If he’s stating it, there must be some truth to it.”

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Rokita said he would give Trump an “A” or an “A-minus” and was quick to mention Gorsuch.

“That’s a huge win right there if nothing else ever happens,” Rokita said. “But other things happened.”

He also applauded the tax overhaul and elimination of regulations, saying Trump’s  “gotten more deregulation than any president in modern day history – getting a boot off the necks of businesses.”

Rokita describes himself as a free trader but stands with Trump on tariffs.,

“Free trade is only good if it’s fair trade,” he said. “I’m willing to try what he’s doing. I support him in that effort. If we need to make some changes down the road, I want them to be data driven and not emotion driven.”

He said he has not heard specific complaints from farmers about the potential impact of retaliatory tariffs from China.

When it comes to Amazon, he said he it’s a matter of fairness.

Rokita voted against the recent $1.3 trillion omnibus bill and thinks the legislative “got foisted on Trump.”

“All that spending was absolutely terrible,” he said, adding he believes the Senate did not play a strong enough role.

“The cowardly Senate did not pick it up and that’s another reason I’m running for Senate. We need courageous conservatives in there.”

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Messer, in a brief talk, said he thinks the president is doing “great job” and would give him an “A.”

“As you travel the state, people are excited by his leadership, they’re excited to see our economy moving again, they excited to see national security improving, they excited to see ISIS on the run,” Messer said.



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“We need to have an authentic conservative as our nominee and that’s who I am,” Messer said. “I’m a conservative family man who supports President Trump.”

He likes the move on tariffs under  Trump’s leadership.

“Details will matter. We need to implement these policies in a way that looks out for American manufacturing and agriculture.”

Asked if he’s heard concerns from agriculture, Messer said he views Trump as “a strong advocate for Indiana agriculture.”

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Walorski, who is unopposed in the primary but has three Democrats seeking to challenge her in the general election, did not offer a letter grade, but was clear in her support.

“If the grade is based on moving the economy, which is what he ran on, I’d give him an absolute ‘A,’” she said.

She repeatedly mentioned her relatively new role on the House Ways and Means Committee and insisted Congress has an important role in shaping policy, even on the subject of tariffs.

She wants to see Congress help shape related policies to ensure a common sense and balanced approach.

“It does make a difference who the lawmakers are, it makes a difference who is on the committees and it makes a difference how hard the members of congress fight and I am a strong fighter.”

She and the other candidate all referenced the strong manufacturing base in northern Indiana.

“I’m making sure I’m vigilant 24/7 in my role in protecting jobs in this district.”

She said she supports further cutouts from the recently adopted omnibus spending bill that she supported.

She said she has no complaints with Trump.

“I don’t think so. He’s doing what he was elected to do,” she said.