1. What qualifications and experience make you suited for serving in this office?
Isak Asare (D): As an IU faculty member, I lead our cybersecurity and global policy program. I have worked in and with governments around the world at the local and national levels in crafting and implementing policy around emerging technologies. As the director of IU’s cybersecurity clinic, I have worked with NGOs, government entities, and other stakeholders at strengthening this community’s cybersecurity posture. As a minister at a local church, I have helped community members in their hardest and lowest and highest seasons. As a cancer survivor still undergoing treatment, I am intimately acquainted with and dependent upon the needs of the people in this community. I will serve all of the people in this district with respect, honesty, and hard work.
Jim Baker (R): N/A.
Stu Barnes-Israel (R): N/A.
J. Michael Davisson (R): N/A.
D. Liam Dorris (D): N/A.
Matthew Fyfe (D): As a public school teacher, I’ve been a public servant my whole life and I strongly believe that’s all it should take to be a public official. I’m an everyday Hoosier and I can best advocate and connect with people across our district. I’m a leader and organizer in my union. We stand up for workers rights and advocate on a large scale for schools and students across the nation. We need more lawmakers who understand what it’s like to be an everyday citizen – who are public servants – who listen to their constituents and work to make a positive impact. There’s a distinct opportunity in the 9th, and I believe this campaign has the story to connect with voters and win.
Dan Heiwig (R): With more than 20 years of professional experience in leadership with the U.S. Military, the past five years working with the highest levels of White House, Pentagon, House Arms Committees and Senate Arms Committee, I am exceptionally prepared and qualified for congress; but more qualified to serve the people of Indiana and reclaim our American heritage.
Erin Houchin (R): N/A
D. Eric Schansberg (R): N/A.
Mike Sodrel (R): N/A
Bill J. Thomas (R): N/A
Brian Tibbs (R): N/A
2. Should Congress do more to address climate change? How you would address climate change?
Asare: I advocate for comprehensive climate action policy. I think the federal government should be focused on dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ending our dependence on fossil fuels, creating high-paying jobs in green energy, and ensuring that clean air, clean water and healthy food are basic human rights. But absent comprehensive climate change legislation, there are opportunities for interim or complementary steps that can win bipartisan support in Congress, such as carbon pricing and dividend, improving infrastructure, and increased federal investments for planting more trees.
Baker: N/A.
Barnes-Israel: N/A.
Davisson: N/A.
Dorris: N/A.
Fyfe: I strongly agree that Congress should do more to combat climate change and create a sustainable future. In my role as a representative, I can bring awareness to, advocate for, and write policy that increases the long-term sustainability of the natural beauty found here in the ninth (as well as around the world). I’m particularly interested in the issues that directly impact southern Indiana, such as the aging Clifty Creek power plant, coal ash waste, logging and sustainable forestry, and sustainable farming initiatives. It is our right to clean air, soil and water.
Heiwig: Everyone thinks it’s a binary problem when it requires more community and culture efforts. Congress has initiatives to do more about climate change, but they tend to ignore them after you vote for their reelection. The work with Indiana Farmers Bureau and Southern Indian Farmers will help our children to have a better chance at fighting against climate change.
Houchin: N/A.
Schansberg: N/A.
Sodrel: N/A.
Thomas: I believe that climate change needs to be evaluated by scientists from various backgrounds, independent from biased thinking. As a nation we should do what we can to save the planet and continue to make it habitable for mankind. It is imperative that we make gradual changes and adjust as we move forward. There is no simple answer to this question. We must always look for alternatives for the future.
Tibbs: N/A.
3. What are your priorities for Congress in terms of reproductive rights and infant and maternal mortality?
Asare: 1. To protect and expand access to comprehensive health care coverage. 2. To appropriate additional funds to scale up programs for safe pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care. 3. Increasing the supply of midwives with nationally recognized credentials by supporting midwifery students, preceptors, schools and programs—particularly those who intend to practice in under-served areas. 4. Investing in digital tools like telehealth to improve maternal health outcomes in under-served areas. 5. Making critical investments in social determinants of health that influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, and nutrition.
Baker: N/A.
Barnes-Israel: N/A.
Davisson: N/A.
Dorris: N/A.
Fyfe: Reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right. As a father of three, I’ve seen up close the importance of access to quality family planning services. I support policies that provide affordable and quality healthcare for all, including accessible birth control. I believe families and their medical professionals should lead the charge on medical decisions. Furthermore, infant and maternal mortality is a serious issue, especially within our state and across rural counties in the Ninth District. We can combat these issues by prioritizing health policies that make healthcare affordable and lead to better medical outcomes, decrease and eliminate medical debt, fund rural broadband to increase telehealth options and more.
Heiwig: I am pro-life and I support adoption as an option. I want to reduce the laws that keep families from adopting. I wan to help families who are suffering with CPS. I want to bring back the family culture and save a generation.
Houchin: N/A.
Schansberg: N/A.
Sodrel: N/A.
Thomas: I firmly believe in woman’s rights. I want women to make the decision based on what is best for her and her family.
Tibbs: N/A.
4. Should election administration be conducted in a fair, transparent and non-partisan manner, ensuring all citizens have equal voting access and power, with results of elections decided by the freely cast votes of the citizenry? How would you address election integrity?
Asare: This is a government by the people, of the people, and for the people. For this reason the right to participate in democratic processes must not be limited but encouraged and supported. I think this starts with: 1. Strengthening the Voter Rights Act. 2. Ending partisan gerrymandering through establishing independent redistricting commissions. 3. Fortifying U.S. elections against foreign interference. 4. Reducing the influence of money in politics by ending Citizens United and setting spending limits on elections. 5. Making Election Day a national holiday.
Baker: N/A.
Barnes-Israel: N/A.
Davisson: N/A.
Dorris: N/A.
Fyfe: The sustainability of our democracy and election protection is paramount. Unfortunately, our politics have become polarized and misinformation has spread far and wide in recent years. As your congressional representative, I would support legislation that would support our democracy. We should be encouraging people to be involved by making Election Day a federal holiday, expanding same-day voter registration, and making it easier to vote safely by mail. Elected officials shouldn’t just be for the wealthy or privileged, rather it should be easier for everyday folks like me to run for office.
Heiwig: Election laws are only a portion of the problem, campaign financing is another, but if we can do what Estonia’s i-Voting system has done with blockchain technology then this problem would be fixed tomorrow.
Houchin: N/A.
Schansberg: N/A.
Sodrel: N/A.
Thomas: Everyone needs to show photo identification to vote.
Tibbs: N/A.
