State, Local Hopefuls At Meet-The-Candidates Event
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
State and county candidates on the November 6 ballot had the opportunity to speak Tuesday about why they are seeking office.
There were 13 candidates who spoke during a two-hour Meet-The-Candidates event at Lakeview Middle School auditorium.
Mark Dobson, Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce president, served as moderator.
Candidates had time to provide background on themselves.
Tables were set up in the middle school’s commons area where attendees submitted written questions for the candidates at each table.
The 13 candidates who attended the event included: Kay Fleming, Democrat attorney general candidate; State Senate District 12 candidate Carlin Yoder, republican; State House District 22 candidates Rebecca Kubacki, republican, and John Bonitati, Democrat; U.S. House District 3 candidate Kevin Boyd, Democrat; U.S. House District 2 candidates Brendan Mullen, Democrat, and Joseph Ruiz, libertarian.
County candidates included Republican county council at-large, Jonathan Fussle and Bob Sanders; County Commissioner northern district, Brad Jackson, Republican; Republican County Commissioner middle district, Ron Truex; County Surveyor, Richard Kemper, Republican; and County Treasurer, Sue Ann Mitchell, Republican.
One of the questions was on the candidates’ position on repealing the medical device tax.
Mullen, who faces Republican Jackie Walorski, said he thinks the medical device tax should be repealed. Walorski did not attend the debate.
“I am a champion no different than Marlin or Joe Donnelly to make sure the tax is repealed,” Mullen said.
Kevin Boyd, third district candidate, who faces Marlin Stutzman in the November election, said he will vote for a repeal of the medical device tax if there is a better way to fund the tax.
Kubacki said the medical device tax is killing the community.
“There is great need for medical reform, but putting people out of work is not the answer and that is what will happen with this medical device tax,” Kubacki said.
State Representative candidates Kubacki and Bonitati were asked their views on education.
Bonitati said education is one of the greatest institutions, and said cuts in public education hurt students.
“We need to fund education at the pre-school level and put public education first,” Bonitati said.
Bonitati said vocational training needs to be invested in, as well as apprenticeship programs and worker retraining programs.
He said he is concerned with cuts to Medicaid, Child Protective Services and Cardinal Services.
“We have a moral obligation to fund these programs to take care of those who can’t care for themselves,” Bonitati said.
Kubacki said as a freshmen representative she has worked to balance the budget without raising taxes and passed education legislation that gives authority back to local schools.
“We don’t want Indianapolis to tell local school boards how to run their schools,” Kubacki said.
She said the voucher program has elevated everyone in the state to prepare children for college.
The program offers money for private school costs to middle-income families. So far, more than 2,800 students have been accepted to the voucher program, which was approved by Indiana's Republican-led legislature this year and signed into law by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“I hear from the community they want to make our communities better and that starts with education,” Kubacki said.
She said she wants the best education or her grandchildren and to prepare them for their future.
A question of “why should I vote for you” was asked of Boyd and Mullen.
Boyd said he wants to take a vision of what is good for the third district to Washington. He said he wants to fight for job creation and to protect Medicaid and Medicare.
Mullen said Washington is broken.
“If we continue to hire candidates from the Nancy Pelosi left and TEA party right I’m convinced that will not effectively work for our communities,” Mullen said.
Mullen was asked if he supported repealing Obamacare.
He said there are tax burdens and regulations that are being put on small businesses because of the Obamacare law that are unacceptable.
Mullen was asked about a campaign ad that says he owns three homes in Washington and does not live in Indiana.
“I have been smeared up and down people’s TV screens by my opponent on this issue,” Mullen said.
He said he and his wife and two daughters live in Granger. He and his wife purchased three apartments in Washington D.C. that they rent out to teachers to live. He said it is a small business and that he pays taxes on the properties.
“Let me make this crystal clear: I was born and raised a Hoosier, left wearing a military uniform and came back to Indiana to raise my daughters,” Mullen said. “My opponent is attacking me for having an entrepreneur spirit.”
Mullen and Boyd were asked their position on abortion and the second amendment.
Mullen said he is a pro-life candidate and he will make sure his morals are not compromised in the halls of Congress on any bill.
He said he supports the second amendment.
Boyd said he is pro-life and said it is not the position of government to make moral choice decisions. He said he supports the second amendment.
Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Government Issues Committee held the event. The event was attended by about 150 people.
Sponsors included the chamber, Century Link, Freedom Oil, Silveus Insurance Group, Biomet, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Zimmer and Times-Union.
