ELECTION GUIDE: Ninth district

Not pictured: Erin Houchin

1. Current state gun safety laws are sufficient. Support or oppose. Please explain your answer what, if any, action you would take.

Matthew Fyfe (D): Oppose. I support the 2nd amendment and responsible gun owners. I also want our communities to be safe. That’s especially important to me as a classroom teacher and father of 3. We currently allow too many violent or irresponsible individuals to obtain firearms without a background check. I support background checks, safe storage, disarming domestic abusers, gun safety education, and other violence intervention programs.

Erin Houchin (R): N/A

Tonya L. Millis (L): Support. The right of the People to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. It is very important for women, as well as men, to be able to defend themselves. I would like to see more women exercise their right to carry if they so choose.

2. What, if anything, are you willing to do on the state level to protect individual privacy rights and bodily autonomy regarding reproductive health?

Fyfe: I believe we should codify into law the privacy rights and bodily autonomy regarding reproductive health. I believe we should codify the rights to contraceptives as well. Geography should not determine one’s individual privacy rights or healthcare access.

Houchin: N/A

Millis: As a Libertarian, I support Medical Freedom for both women and men. I also support the MORE Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, not just to legalize medical cannabis in all 50 states but to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The U.S. needs to stop incarcerating individuals for victimless crimes.

3. Discuss three priorities that you would work on regarding social and racial equity such as affordable health care, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and child abuse.

Fyfe: Improving our public education system is a top priority, and at the federal level that means working so schools are more equitable. We can provide better funding for special education programs, improve post-secondary success by making colleges affordable and trade programs accessible, and we can stop focusing on narrow standardized tests as outcome measures for school success. More affordable and accessible healthcare is also a top priority. We can provide better internet access to improve telehealth, allow Medicare to negotiate prices, cap certain prescription drug costs, or even allow more/all folks into a proven Medicare system. Good jobs are a priority. Guaranteeing the right to organize will give power back to workers!

Houchin: N/A

Millis: The issues of homelessness and violence is best handled at the state and local levels. Big Government (one size fits all) does not work. It’s already illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. The states should be keeping tax dollars to improve the quality of life in those efforts at the state &local level.

4. What actions are needed, if any, on environmental issues and climate change (land use, transportation, energy, etc.)?

Fyfe: Clean air, water, and soil are necessary now and in the future. The 9th district is diverse and beautiful (farms, forests, rivers, lakes, etc), and we need to invest in sustainable practices and renewable energies so our kids get to grow up and enjoy the same unique Southern Indiana landscapes as we do now. We must modernize our electric grid, plant more trees, train workers for new industry, and invest in research to prevent flooding, drought, heat, fire, and other disasters or changes in our environment. Having the courage and foresight to act now ensures the health and safety of future generations.

Houchin: N/A

Millis: We, as humans, are the stewards of this earth and should promote activities and bills that would ensure clean air and clean water without burdensome taxes . The carbon emissions in the United States have been greatly reduced over recent years and the process should be encouraged in other world countries who are failing in this regard. We should protect our nature preserves as well.

5. What commitment, if any, will you make to hear and respond to constituent and community concerns before legislative decisions are made?

Fyfe: I commit to holding frequent town halls around the district, allowing survey responses via email, and following up with citizens who have concerns. I also commit to being present in the district at events. As a teacher, this is one of the reasons I became interested in running for office. I didn’t feel educator voices were being heard at the state or federal levels. It is so important to me that our representatives work for the many instead of the few, powerful, and/or rich. I will 100% work for our communities and our neighbors, and ensure all voices are heard!

Houchin: N/A

Millis: If elected, I will be ‘the Voice’ of the people in my district. As their representative, I will speak on their behalf to promote freedom and liberty in a modern society.

ABOUT THE OFFICE

A Representative must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for at least seven years and an inhabitant of the state he or she represents. They will serve a two-year term. There are no term limits. Among other duties, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees. The House has several powers assigned exclusively to it, including the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials and elect the President in the case of an Electoral College tie.

SOURCE: The League of Women Voters