The 8th District will see a new congressman elected, as U.S. Rep. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Newburgh, announced in January he would not seek reelection to an eighth term and would retire from Congress after 14 years.
In September, Republican Mark Messmer resigned from the Indiana Senate, in which he had served since 2014, in order to focus on his campaign. He previously served three terms as state representative for District 63.
“I have a passion for serving our state and nation,” he said. “I want to help shape the policies that impact our country and protect our country’s founding principles and personal liberties spelled out in the Constitution.”
Messmer said he’s qualified to move to Washington because “I have a 16-year proven track record of conservative values and the ability to deliver solutions to tough problems facing our state in the Indiana House and Senate. I also have a 36-year history of success as a small business owner and 39-year history as an engineer and problem solver in the private sector.”
Messmer listed several priorities if he takes office.
“With the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, the third largest Navy Base in the world (by geographic area), located in the 8th District, my top focus will be on defense industry issues and helping direct policies that will benefit Crane,” he said.
He added, “Obviously, solving the immigration crisis at the southern border, inflation and economic problems will be a large focus of myself and the rest of the Republican members in the House. I will also focus on agriculture and issues and transportation/infrastructure issues that are important to the district.” Washington itself must concern itself with a number of issues, Messmer said, such as “Securing the southern border, getting federal spending under control, cutting back on egregious government regulations that drive up the cost of everything we buy, and election security, making sure only U.S. citizens vote.”
Democrat Erik Hurt said he’s running for office because “Too many Americans are suffering. Too many work hard but still have to live paycheck to paycheck. Too many struggle under the weight of student debt and medical debt while the threat of climate change looms over us. I believe we need to put people first ahead of corporate interests and billionaires’ bottom lines.” Hurt added, “I believe that I can effectively communicate the ideals that I think can move this country forward and will listen to experts, follow the evidence and data, to make the best decisions for our country, not just in the short term, but for future generations as well.”
Priorities for Hurt, he said, will include “Raising the minimum wage, lowering the cost of housing, expanding access and affordability to health care, investing in education and protecting out environment.”
In Washington, he suggested, “The biggest issue in the House of Representatives is gridlock. Too many popular and helpful policies get blocked and we need to find ways to pass legislation that will improve the quality of life for Americans.”
Libertarian K. Richard Fitzlaff wrote answers that were far longer than his opponents, necessitating some editing for space and clarity.
He said, “I’m running to work for Hoosiers, whether that’s lowering taxes and eliminating government loopholes, fighting for veterans’ care, fixing our broken Social Security system or defending our constitutional rights. I want to use this office as a public service office, one that will serve all Hoosiers with honesty, integrity and accountability.”
Fitzlaff said he’s qualified for the job because “In addition to being a father, a veteran, and a blue-collar worker, I’ve spent the past 20 years serving my community through various means. I have a passion for others and want everyone to be able to attain success as they define it. That means I’ve taken the time to research all of my policies and listened to the wants and needs of my constituents.”
His priorities include lowering taxes for all Americans, ending deficit spending, saving Social Security from becoming insolvent by 2013 and caring for the nation’s veterans.
“The FairTax is the only nonpartisan system designed to allow workers to keep their whole paycheck and only pay taxes on what they spend, and at a much lower rate than the current system,” Fitzlaff said.
Fitzlaff said he’s concerned that “Our House is truly divided by two powerful and entrenched sides, neither of which are able to look beyond grandstanding and work to improve the lives of everyday working Americans. … It’s time to take America back, to elect public servants who care for and listen to their constituents, who prioritize the plight of the middle class above the donor class.”
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