With less than three months until midterm elections on Nov. 8, state and federal candidates are out campaigning in full force. Primary elections on May 3 decided Democratic and Republican candidates, and the IDS has put together what you need to know about this election’s big names.
Jump ahead to...
Advertisement
U.S. Senate
Indiana, like the rest of the U.S., has two senators that serve staggered six-year terms. Senate members are one of two houses in the bicameral Congress. Senators enact legislation, confirm presidential appointments and have the power to declare war. Any legislation that passes the Senate must also go through the House of Representatives.
Republican
-
Priorities:
-
Inflation
-
Anti-immigration
-
Opposing China
-
Electing Constitutionalist Judges
-
Pro-police
-
Anti-abortion
-
Gun Rights
-
Veteran Support
More ↓
Current position: U.S. Senator (R-Ind.)
Democrat
-
Priorities:
-
Small Businesses
-
Healthcare
-
Pro-choice
-
Gun Control/Safety
-
Education
-
Environment
-
Veteran Support
-
Marijuana Legalization
-
Rural Development
-
Voting Rights
More ↓
Current position: Mayor of Hammond, Indiana
Libertarian
-
Priorities:
-
Healthcare
-
Anti-Vaccine Mandates
-
Marijuana Legalization
-
Veteran Support
-
Inflation
-
Lower Gov. Spending
-
Criminal Justice Reform
-
Gun Rights
-
Pro-choice
More ↓
Current position: Behavior therapist for children with autism
U.S. House of Representatives (District 9)
Indiana has 9 Congressional districts, each with one representative in the federal House of Representatives. The House, like the Senate, also enacts legislation and can declare war, but they have several unique powers, including impeachment and election in the case of an Electoral College tie.
Indiana’s 9th Congressional district ranges from the south side of Indianapolis to Indiana’s border with Kentucky near Louisville, and the biggest city in the district is Bloomington.
Democrat
-
Priorities:
-
Education
-
Healthcare
-
Environment
-
Worker Rights
-
Broadband Access
-
Criminal Justice Reform
-
Veteran Support
-
Marijuana Legalization
-
Rural Development
-
Small Businesses
More ↓
Current position: Math Teacher
Republican
-
Priorities:
-
Anti-abortion
-
Gun Rights
-
Pro-police
-
Lower Gov. Spending
-
Anti-immigration
-
Lower Taxes
-
Broadband Access
-
Inflation
-
Small Businesses
-
Education
More ↓
Current position: Former Indiana State Senate (until early 2022)
Libertarian
-
Priorities:
-
Reduce Military Presence Abroad
-
Lower Taxes
-
Less Gov. Restriction
-
Healthcare
-
Marijuana Legalization
-
Environment
More ↓
Current position: Real estate broker
Advertisement
Indiana House of Representatives
Members of the Indiana State House serve two-year terms, and all 100 seats are up for election this year. The House is one of two chambers in the Indiana General Assembly to form Indiana’s legislative branch. Representatives are responsible for passing public policy legislation and regulating state spending and taxes. They work with the governor of Indiana to create laws and establish a budget.
District 46
District 46 stretches from Ellettsville to Youngstown and, aside from Monroe County, also includes portions of Owen, Clay and Vigo County.
Democrat
-
Priorities:
-
Education
-
Healthcare
-
Gun Rights
-
Rural Development
-
Broadband Access
-
Lower Corporate Influence
Current position: first responder, owner of Switchyard Brewery, Court Appointed Special Advocate
Republican
-
Priorities:
-
Education
-
Transportation Infrastructure
-
Public Safety
-
Lower Taxes
Current position: Indiana House Representative, District 46
District 60
District 60 centers around Martinsville and includes Monrovia, Brooklyn and Morgantown.
Republican
-
Priorities:
-
Education
-
Small Businesses
-
Veteran Support
-
Pro-police
-
Anti-abortion
-
Gun Rights
More ↓
Current position: Indiana House Representative, District 60
Democrat
-
Priorities:
-
Pro-choice
-
Education
-
Pro-police
-
Voting Rights
Current position: Retired OB/GYN nurse
District 61
District 61 includes IU and greater Bloomington.
Democrat
Pierce, who is running unopposed, does not have a campaign website to state his priorities.
Current position: Indiana House Representative, District 61
Advertisement
District 62
District 62 includes area north, east and south of Bloomington as well as Nashville, Belmont, Smithville and Brown County State Park.
Democrat
-
Priorities:
-
Education
-
Substance Abuse
-
Minimum Wage
-
Pro-choice
-
Gun Control/Safety
-
Healthcare
-
Worker Rights
More ↓
Current position: Monroe County Commissioner
Republican
-
Priorities:
-
Anti-abortion
-
Election Security
-
Substance Abuse
-
Broadband Access
-
Pro-police
Current position: Jackson County Council President
This article was updated Oct. 17, 2022, to add candidates from Indiana House District 46.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misidentified the county where Thorpe previously ran for county coroner.
Methodology
Each candidates' top priorities were compiled from campaign websites, campaign social media accounts and Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
Priorities were worded to best fit a variety of candidate positions. The IDS has provided links to candidate campaign websites or social media pages, where more specific information on individual candidates' positions can be found.
By Nadia Scharf
Nadia has worked at the IDS since 2021 as a reporter, arts desk editor and managing editor. Email
Design and development by Carson TerBush
Carson is senior studying journalism and informatics who has worked at the IDS since 2019 as a reporter and designer. This semester she is the managing editor of digital. Email Twitter
Like what you're reading?
Support independent, award-winning student journalism.
Donate.