Candidates who are running for office in the Nov. 6 general election were sent the following questionaire from the Times-Union: 1. What do you feel are issues important to the seat you are seeking? 2. What do you feel you can contribute to the seat you are seeking? 3. What are things you would like to change or continue if elected? The candidates’ responses to the questions are listed below.
Walorski Seeks U.S. District Two Seat Jackie Walorski is seeking the U.S. District two congressional seat as a Republican. I was born and raised in South Bend and have been dedicated to serving our communities throughout my career. I was elected to represent Hoosiers in the statehouse for six years where I was an independent voice for our communities and worked hard to improve economic development and create jobs. 1. My first priority is on creating jobs and improving the economy. Washington could learn from the Hoosier common sense values that have helped our state turn a $1 billion deficit into a surplus, and ranked Indiana the best Midwest state to start a business. I am focused on reducing our deficit and rolling back regulation to allow Hoosier business to grow and create more jobs in our communities. 2. After serving in the state legislature, I understand what it takes to reach across the aisle and work with others to pass meaningful legislation for our communities. I am proud to have a 75 percent bipartisan voting record, and feel that if partisan gridlock in Washington does not end, no progress will be made. Hoosiers want to have a representative who is not only willing to be their voice in Congress, but also will roll up their sleeves and create solutions to the serious issues facing our nation. 3. I will vote for a balanced budget amendment and reduce government spending to decrease our $16.1 trillion national deficit. Congress must reduce government regulation and cut red tape for small businesses—including the full repeal of Obamacare.
Mullen Seeks Second District Congressional Seat Brendan Mullen, Democrat, is seeking the second district congressional seat. I am a South Bend native, West Point graduate, U.S. Army combat veteran and small business owner, living in Granger with my wife, Suzanne, and our daughters, Frankie and Lilly. I’m a conservative Democrat who will fight to get our debt under control, protect Social Security and Medicare and help Hoosier businesses create good jobs. I am pro-gun and pro-life. 1. Washington is broken. Partisan bickering and gamemanship have taken over and it is unacceptable. While at West Point, serving in Iraq and commanding men in Korea. I learned a lot about teamwork, trusting those around you, and working toward a common goal. Everyday we worked for the American flag that was stiched onto our uniforms. We came from every walk of life, every faith, every religion and every political belief-the same goes for my small business and my employees. 2. I’ll bring service to country and small business success to Congress. 3. Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas. A common sense, Hoosier values approach to government will break the gridlock and move us forward. Politics shouldn’t be a career. If elected, I’ll stay in office no more than six years. Congress is another deployment- get in, make a difference, and get out. I will work with anyone who will roll up their sleeves with me and get our government working for Indiana families and businesses, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Republican idea or a Democratic idea, if it creates jobs then I’m going to do it.
Kubacki Seeks District 22 Re-Election Rebecca Kubacki, Republican, Syracuse, is seeking re-election to the State Representative District 22 seat. She grew up in Pierceton where she met her husband, Mike, in high school. They will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. She has lived in Chicago and Los Angeles and returned to this area 14 years ago. In every state they have lived Kubacki said she has been recognized for her contributions. The Kubackis have two children, Katie Kubacki and Matt, a law student, and his wife Lindsay who live in Carmel and two grandchildren, Bella and Roman who live in Warsaw. I have spent my life raising money and volunteering to help children and families. As a State Representative I have gone from helping people in my community to helping people in the state as well. 1. I won't feel I have done my job until I see the lines at Our Fathers House eliminated. Another priority is fighting the war on meth. I hate seeing what it has done to our community and to our families. Early childhood education must be addressed. We need to make our investment at the early stages where the foundation for learning takes place. Lastly, I will fight the assault on farming which has made farming difficult because of over-regulation. 2. My first term in office I served on the Ways and Means and Commerce and Economic Development committees. Understanding the budget is critical in making the difficult decisions needed to keep Indiana's AAA rating, balancing the budget without raising taxes and keep a surplus for the upcoming financial challenges we will be facing with the health care costs that we will have to deal with. We only have so much money to distribute. We can’t print money like the Federal Government does so freely so we have to live within our budget. Hoosiers families have to make difficult decisions everyday, we must make sure that their hard earned dollars are used wisely. 3. Reduce the number of bills introduced each session. Every bill introduced means government intrusion in our lives. We elect representatives based on what bills they have passed. If your representative passes lots of bills, you will have lots of government in your life. I hope to only pass bills that really improve the lives of the people in our state not regulate their lives.
Bonitati Seeks State Rep. Dist. 22 Seat John Bonitati, Democrat, is seeking the State Representative District 22 seat. Bonitati’s work experience includes physical therapy and sales and marketing positions in the orthopaedic device industry. I currently work as a technical marketing product director for DePuy Synthes. I’ve been married for 25 years to my wife Eva and have three daughters. Some of my community involvement includes the Warsaw Housing Authority and Special Olympics. 1. Building world-class education for Indiana is a priority to provide opportunities for more productive lives. Safeguarding workers’ rights is important to help support a strong middle class. We have a moral obligation to care for those with special needs in our community with adequate funding. Corrupting influence of outside lobbying interests needs to end to restore public faith in state government. 2. My experience in business along with community involvement provides the understanding and empathy needed to represent and address the concerns of everyone in my district. Legislative decisions have significant consequences and I am aware of the importance of thoroughly analyzing all legislation and making rational decisions that are fair and without corrupting influence. My agenda is to strike the right balance of government investment and fiscal responsibility. 3. I will work for solutions that benefit all residents in the district and work across party lines. Big money and outside lobbyist interests, along with pay-to-play state contracts, need to stop so voter’s interests come first and are fairly represented. As a state representative, I believe that public service must take precedence over self service if you are going to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Wolkins Seeks State Rep. District 18 Re-election Dave Wolkins, Republican, is seeking re-election to the State Representative District 18 seat. Chris Wright, Democrat, also is seeking the seat, but was unable to be reached to provide responses to questions. Wolkins is a graduate of Warsaw High School, has a bachelor’s degree from Greenville College and a master’s degree from St. Francis College. He is a former teacher and coach for Warsaw Schools and small business owner. He has a wife Candace, son Matthew and his wife Kristy, grandson Jackson and granddaughter Abigail. Wolkins served 17 years on the Winona Lake Town Council and 24 years as State Representative District 18. He is a member of Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, Warsaw Optimists and State Public Sector Chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council. He received the 2011 Legislator of the Year award, and 2012 Indiana Opthamology Legislator of the Year. 1. Adequate funding for developmentally disabled programs. Maintain friendly business climate so as to attract new businesses to Indiana. Make sure any new rules and regulations are justified and necessary. 2. While I am not on Ways and Means, I will work with those members to see that funding for programs such as Cardinal Center will be maintained or increased. For the past several years we have been very tight on funding in all aspects of state government. That is why Indiana is in better financial condition than almost all the other states. With the current balances we have there will be pressure to restore funding to programs that have been cut or maintained. If we do increase funding programs such as Cardinal Center should benefit. As the vice chair of the Select Committee on Government Reduction I will continue looking at boards and commissions as to their need and effectiveness. In the past two years we have eliminated more than 40 boards and have saved the governor from making more than 250 appointments. I will continue to look for duplication and eliminate or combine those duties so as to make government more efficient. 3. Through the programs we have passed in the last few years, Indiana ranks in the top five in almost every survey taken to compare states where businesses want to locate. I want to maintain this ranking and will support any programs that will enhance this rating. I want to continue looking at unnecessary rules and regulations that do not add value, but only take time away from the necessary tasks of running a business or living one's life.
