NEWS

Primary Q&A: 4th District candidates, 13 of them, on Trump, other priorities

One of these 13 will represent Greater Lafayette and the rest of west-central Indiana in Congress after the 2018 elections. Here's where they stand.

Journal & Courier

For a map of the district and where to get other ballot info, scroll to the bottom of the page.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – With Rep. Todd Rokita, a Brownsburg Republican first elected to Congress in 2010, making way for a shot at a U.S. Senate seat, crowded fields filled both sides of the May 8 primary ballot for Indiana’s 4th District.

Seven Republicans and six Democrats are up for nominations to represent their parties in the November election for the two-year stint in the U.S. House of Representatives. Indiana has an open primary, meaning voters may choose a Republican or Democratic ballot, but not both.

Here, the candidates answered four question from the J&C, offering a brief overview of why they are running in the district that includes Tippecanoe County, along with at least part of 16 other west-central Indiana counties.

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REPUBLICANS

James R. Baird

Party: Repubublican

Town: Greencastle

Occupation: Farmer and small business owner

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s, animal science, Purdue University; Ph.D in mono-gastric nutrition, University of Kentucky

Past elected positions, if any: Putnam County commissioner; Indiana state representative

Immediate family: Danise S. Baird, wife; son, Stacey, and his wife, Sherie Baird, of Lafayette and their two children, Riley Baird and Brooklyn Baird

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Baird: The creation of a positive economic environment that allows individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses to expand and invest in their enterprise and community in order to provide greater employment opportunities and quality of place for all the citizens is one of the top priorities for the 4th District. A growing economy contributes significantly to the overall well being of any community and by association the assimilation of all communities in the 4th District. This could be accomplished by passing a bipartisan balanced budget, lowering taxes and reducing government spending. The functionality of our democracy and legislative process is based on the principle of legislators compromising and cooperating in order to achieve successful and meaningful resolutions to complex issues. I received the Civility in Government Award, which is presented to individuals who have been able to work with persons from different parties. I would intend to continue that effort at the federal level as well.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Baird: I think President Trump and Vice President Pence are doing a great job moving this country in a more conservative direction. They have been able to address several key issues that are impacting our internal success as well as the status of the United States of America in the world. Tax reform, immigration, building a wall, strengthening our military and renegotiating trade agreements, to name a few. We must continue to review those areas of government that do not contribute to the safety and well being of our citizens and our economy.

3. If elected to the U.S. House, do you plan to hold town halls, Congress on Your Corner or other events across the 4th District that give constituents opportunities to ask you questions face-to-face? How often will constituents have those opportunities?

Baird: I think effective communication is extremely important to the development of appropriate legislation. It is essential to have input from experts in the field, businesses, interested entities and constituents to develop effective legislation while at the same time minimizing unintended consequences. The internet has increased the ability to communicate exponentially, yet there continues to be a place for face-to-face interaction. Consequently, I would intend to accommodate such interaction as often as the schedule would permit in addition to maintaining field offices.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Baird: Two major ways I differ from my opponents are: 1. I have lived in west central Indiana all my life and understand the cultural and conservative values of the people. Secondly, I am not influenced by significant contributions from entities outside the district. These attributes allow me to effectively represent the citizens of congressional District 4 at the legislative table in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have a proven record of honesty, integrity and leadership and truly care about the people of our communities.

Steve Braun

Party: Republican

Age: 58

Town: Zionsville

Occupation: Businessman

Education: Harvard, bachelor’s degree in economics

Past elected positions, if any: Served as state representative for District 24 from 2012-14

Immediate family: Married to wife, Jennifer, for 35 years. Five children and four grandchildren.

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Braun: The top priority is making sure we create the best possible future for our kids and grandchildren. That means putting our jobs and workers first; protecting the jobs of today and preparing for those of tomorrow. As a businessman with over 25 years in the private sector, I'll use that experience and successful track record to help businesses in the 4th District, especially in the critical areas of manufacturing, agriculture and logistics to better source and prepare their workforce and grow their businesses.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Braun: President Trump has the country moving forward again. From tax reform to low unemployment and to keeping America safe, he has been effective on these and other important issues. But there are critical issues left to address, and I will be a key ally on those. I look forward to working with the president and delivering conservative solutions that put America First, which includes protecting jobs and preparing our workforce, just one issue where I can add significant value for the president.

Braun: Absolutely. Serving in public office is about serving the people you represent. I look forward to frequently holding events and initiatives providing constituents the opportunity to share feedback with me directly.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Braun: My successful experience in the business world creating good paying jobs and helping world class companies grow their business is unique amongst the candidates. Combined with my public sector experience, where I authored key agenda bills as part of the caucus leadership team and accepted Governor Pence's cabinet position to take on the state's biggest challenge related to the state's workforce and education reform. No other candidate has the combined private and public sector experience and the track record of driving impactful results in both. I believe my experience and track record make me uniquely qualified to represent 4th District Hoosiers and deliver conservative solutions that help President Donald Trump put America First.

Kevin J. Grant

Party: Republican

Age: 48

Town: West Lafayette

Occupation: Tax and financial consultant, owner of Family Tax & Financial Services, Lafayette

Education: Bachelor’s in finance, University of Illinois at Chicago, and MBA, Purdue University

Past election experience, if any: Ran against Todd Rokita in the 2014 and 2016 primary races.

Immediate family: Spouse, Dr. Jill A. Grant (an emergency medicine physician), and son, Kaleb M. Grant, age 10, student at Battle Ground Intermediate School.

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Grant: Maintain constant communication between District 4 Hoosiers and my Washington, D.C., and local congressional office. Issue: For the past few years, Hoosiers have not been happy with the lack of communication between them and their elected official. Solution: After retiring from the U.S. Army and running my business, I understand how to take care of people. As a "people person," I care about what’s going on in the lives of our Hoosiers and want to know how people are doing. You can call me the "Sheila Klinker" of the 4th District, although I don't follow her politics, I follow the state representative from Lafayette as a caring individual. She is what a real politician should act like – you will find her at numerous events. Like me, she truly cares for peoples' best interest.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Grant: The president is doing a great job for our nation. I have studied Donald Trump since I was 19 years old and on June 16, 2015, I predicted Donald Trump would be our next president because of three things: 1. He is a great negotiator. 2. Like me, if he tells you that he is going to do something, he makes it happen. 3. He takes care of his people. With referencing to supporting or challenging the president, I will fully support the president until his ideas or agenda don't align with the values/ideas of the Hoosiers in the 4th District.

Grant: With reference to "town hall" or "coffee shop"-type meetings, I plan to visit two counties every month. In order for these meetings to be successful, I need mayors, county officials and other elected officials to step up and contact my office in order to get on the calendar. Communication is a two-way street.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Grant: 1. Leadership experience. 2. "I have walked in your shoes." Since growing up on a small farm in the Midwest, I have had numerous jobs in my life. To name a few, from frying burgers at McDonald’s to cooking and managing staff at a Long John Silver’s, working third shift at a factory, cashier at a gas station, cleaning toilets as a janitor, painter, dishwasher, blueberry picker for five summers, military company commander for four years, Blackhawk helicopter pilot, financial advisor, tax and financial consultant. I understand how hard you work to support your family, and I will be there for you and your family.

Diego Morales

Party: Republican

Age: 39

Town: Plainfield

Occupation: Chief business development officer for Sodrel Holding Inc.

Education: Bachelor’s, Indiana University; MBA , Purdue University; Global MBA, Tilburg University

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: Wife, Sidonia; daughter

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Morales: As an Army veteran who is driven by faith and conservative values, I will stand firm in supporting President Trump and Vice President Pence’s vision for a stronger America where our families can grow and prosper. I will take care of it by standing strong with my constituents and the small town Hoosier values that the people of the 4th District believe in.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Morales: President Trump is delivering on his promise of America First. When I get to Congress I have three top priorities: 1. National security. We must protect each and every American. 2. We must grow our economy. We need to reduce regulations and give small businesses the resources they need to prosper. 3. Veterans affairs. We need to ensure that our military has the resources they need to protect our country. I can make a direct call to the White House and know they will pick up. I will get to Congress and hit the floor running with those connections I have.

Morales: I plan to have the best constituent service in the state of Indiana. I am going to Congress not to be important but to do some important things for Hoosiers. I will be working for and representing the people of the 4th District and want to be as accessible to them as possible.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Morales: I believe I am the only candidate in this race that can grow the Republican Party without comprising our small town, conservative values. I also believe that I am the only candidate that is young, energetic and fully prepared to fight hard for Hoosiers. Hoosiers need someone agile and energetic enough to actually get things done in Congress and support President Trump.

James Nease

Party: Republican

Age: 30

Town: Frankfort

Occupation: Computer programmer

Education: University of Indianapolis

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: Emrys, Terra, Darwin

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Nease: Our top priority is restoring our sovereignty as people by dismantling and reigning in obstructive federal overreach, we must follow the constitution on the federal level.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Nease: I think Trump is doing a terrible job, backtracking on promises, engrossed in a series of scandals and circumventing Congress on key issues. My role isn't to support nor condone his agenda but rather taper executive power.

3. If elected to the U.S. House, do you plan to hold town halls, Congress on Your Corner or other events across the 4th District that give constituents opportunities to ask you questions face-to-face? How often will constituents have those opportunities?

Nease: Yes, I will also host daily livestreams and other media formats to engage with voters who often aren't able to get out, be it work, disability, travel constraints, etc.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Nease: 1. I am not a former elected official, appointee or lapdog of a previous administration, I own my own problems, solutions and resolve, not that of interest groups. 2. I am the most conservative candidate on this ballot, I strictly believe in the immaculate of the constitution and the Bill of Rights. My opponents are merely neocons and opportunists.

Timothy Michael Radice

Party: Republican

Age: 30

Town: Lafayette

Occupation: Factory assembler

Education: Lafayette Jefferson High School, Purdue University

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: Michael Radice, Maria Pacheco, Joseph Alvarez, Michael Pacheco

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Radice: Public safety and public health: I can help as a federal representative. I can vote for removing certain drug laws that are hindering treatment. I can also help to vote on banning certain opioids that are synthetic from being sold on the market. We can also enhance public safety, via defensive drills, metal detectors, bulletproof glass and anti-bullying legislation. We can do so much more and build a stronger and safer future for our district.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Radice: I think so far Trump is doing a much better job than Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. My role as a congressmen will be to ensure that the most balanced approach consistent with the needs of the district. I will support Trump when he deserves it, and I will oppose him when I think or my constituents think it's needed.

Radice: Yes. I will hold town halls if requested, so long as they are people from the district that ask questions. I also plan to install an online forum for District 4. Some people don't like face-to-face meetings and prefer to be anonymous so they don't have to fear retaliation. This way, we can give everyone a voice and more opportunities.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Radice: I'm the only candidate against amnesty. None of my opponents has directly come out and said they're against it. None of the Republican candidates, besides myself, take immigration seriously. Secondly, the other thing that separates me is that I'm the only Republican candidate that comes from a working class. Having an education in government and understating the needs of the working man, gives me the best of both worlds.

Jared Guy Thomas

Party: Republican

Age: 28

Town: West Lafayette

Occupation: Retired Army captain

Education: Bachelor of science in American politics from the United States Military Academy at West Point

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: Guy Thomas (father); Kathy Thomas (mother); Rachel Thomas (sister); Noah Thomas (brother)

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Thomas: My top priority is ensuring that Hoosiers throughout this district have an actual voice in Washington; someone who truly understands their values and their way of life. Our political system is broken. We need term limits. We need to significantly decrease congressional salaries. We need to get rid of the lifetime benefits. Our district is full of Hoosiers that just want to keep as much of their hard-earned paycheck as possible. They want our agriculture industry to have a champion. They want a resolution to the opioid epidemic. This isn’t a single-issue district, and we need a representative that understands that.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Thomas: As the representative for Indiana’s 4th District, my role will be to serve this district. My intention is to do whatever is best for my family, friends, neighbors and fellow Hoosiers. Congress established three co-equal branches of government for a reason: checks and balances. There will be times (like the recent Tax Bill) when the president’s agenda is directly in line with the needs and the future of Indiana’s 4th. There will also be times when it is not. I believe our district wants a representative that puts the district first 100 percent of the time.

Thomas: Yes. This office was intended to be a servant’s office, and West Lafayette is my home. I don’t plan on selling my Purdue football tickets, and I don’t plan on changing churches, so I’ll be back every weekend. Getting back to actual representation in our government requires leaders that genuinely want to hear from their constituents. As a younger candidate, I’m not in the business of telling folks, “This is the way the world works.” I view the wisdom of this district as a resource. These are the people that raised me.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Thomas: I’m a 28-year-old combat veteran that came directly from nine years in the “military arena” straight into the “political arena,” and I have deep ties to this district. My age and my passion for this district have given me the energy necessary to personally visit 15,000 4th District homes. I plan on visiting 30,000 by Election Day. The hard truth is that the Republican Party isn’t getting any younger, and if we don’t start bridging the gap with a younger generation, this party will not survive.

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DEMOCRATS

Tobi Beck

Party: Democratic

Age: 50

Town: Avon

Occupation: Security & technology professional

Education: B.A. and J.D.

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: Steve Beck, husband, and three adopted kids

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Beck: My top priorities are building a strong economy through the middle class, standing up for our veterans and ensuring fairness for all by protecting the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. As a combat veteran, foster mother and experienced security and technology professional, I plan to put divisiveness aside and work together. Lasting solutions means putting aside differences in order to address the root of our problems. Together, we can put the best interests of all Hoosiers at heart.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Beck: Many of the issues that face us are more complex than a tweet – we need to work with each other to create real solutions. I see the role of any good representative to be to work to increase government transparency, as well as work toward legislation that serves the people and allows our checks and balances system to proceed as designed with the executive branch.

Beck: Yes, often. On the campaign trail, I have already held numerous town hall and other events to meet constituents in their communities. Additionally, I recently spent a week touring every county in the district. I made over 60 stops in 16 districts over six days. As part of my efforts to walk a mile in each community’s shoes, I laced up the same combat boots that I served in and marched in every county of the 4th District.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Beck: One of the things that sets me apart as a candidate is my extensive history of service to our nation. I’ve served in the Army, volunteered for the Red Cross and been a leader in my community. My focus on the issues also stands out – I want to work to get corporate money out of politics and I am proposing an expansion of TriCare, the health care model that our military uses, to build single-payer health care for all.

Roger Day

Party: Democratic

Age: 62

Town: Avon

Occupation: Owner of Teachers Supply Store

Education: I attended University of Evansville, studied English literature and communications, played football and wrestled.

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: Wife, Debbie (married 36 years); son, Dwayne, works at FedEx; daughter, Laura Bowman, teacher at Brownsburg High School; daughter, Natalie, preschool teacher and attends IUPUI to become an elementary school teacher.

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Day: I will represent the 4th District first and foremost by stopping the Trump agenda and impeaching him with the blue wave caucus, then to move on to traditional Democratic values. Strong unions, stronger public schools with all funding needed, a Medicare-for-all plan, income inequality, solving the student loan crisis with a forgiveness plan to some degree, and a college education to all who want it and work for it. I have plans and ideas to at least start solving these problems.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Day: Stop the Trump agenda at all cost and as soon as possible.

Day: If elected I will hold a town hall every month or more and have access to my office by internet every single day.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Day: 1. I have experience in the fields that are most pressing to our country: education and health care. I was a regional vice president at Design Benefits Plans, marketing individual health plans for small business for 20 years. Having to deal with both sides of industry. I dealt with problems from the insured and the insurer. This will greatly help me with our country’s problems, as I have a great many ideas that our congress doesn't know. 2. Having a number of teachers in the family and a wife with more than 40 years gives me a unique handle on what trouble our public schools and ideas for solutions to solve them. My business experience gives me the view of the owner and the employee. None of my Democratic opponents has any experience that qualify them to hold a office that requires so much knowledge in so many fields.

Darin Patrick Griesey

Party: Democratic

Age: 51

Town: Monticello

Occupation: Farm owner

Education: Bachelor’s of science, Purdue

Past elected positions, if any: Eight years, White County Farm Bureau Board

Immediate family: Single parent

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Griesey: My top priority in Congress will be to renew the American Dream. I will do this by: passing term limits for Congress to counteract special interests; bringing renewable energy and advanced manufacturing jobs to the 4th District to expand the middle class; creating a universal health care system for U.S. citizens to free up family disposable income; and developing new revenues to reduce the federal debt.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House, and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Griesey: After only one year since being sworn in, President Trump has surpassed all previous presidents in time spent vacationing and finding ways to profit while in office. Not to mention, he has had the highest amount of staff members indicted for crimes or resigning in controversy. When elected, I promise to work on renewing Americans faith in Congress, by upholding the constitution, and legislating the rule of law. Including reining in the president and his agenda, if it negatively impacts district residents and businesses.

Griesey: Since announcing my candidacy in late January of 2018, I have hosted 12 “Listening Tour” town halls throughout the 4th District. We asked residents to come out and share their concerns and hopes for a better tomorrow to better guide our agenda. My campaign also recently helped organize the No Time To Hate concert at the Lafayette Theater. If elected, I pledge to continue this trend with bi-monthly Listening to my District meetings, while promising to lend my support to all local initiatives focused on a more sustainable peaceful future.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Griesey: Two things that separate me from my opponents is my lifelong belief in a more peaceful tomorrow, and my desire to overcome the injustices of this material world. Over the last 20 years, I have been blessed in my professional career to have partnered with dozens of community organizations, government officials and law enforcement agencies from around the United States. Together we implemented programs that lifted up thousands of Indiana citizens. It is with these experiences and promises that I will better serve this district than all other candidates.

Joe Mackey

Party: Democratic

Age: 57

Town: Lafayette

Occupation: Retired machinist and pediatric cancer activist

Education: Caterpillar Machinist Apprentice program

Past elected positions, if any: None

Immediate family: wife, Tamara (of 30 years); son, Connor, 27; son, Patrick (deceased); daughter, Claire (deceased)

1. What is the top priority for the 4th District? How will you take care of it as a representative?

Mackey: Indiana is at risk of losing between 30 to 50, 25- to 50-bed hospitals. Most of those hospitals are in rural Hoosier counties. I support H.R. 2957 sponsored by Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri. This bill is known as “Save Rural Hospitals Act.” There are five such hospitals in the 4th District. They are Putnam, Warren, Clinton, White and Jasper counties’ hospitals.

2. Rate the job President Trump is doing in the White House and tell what you see as your roll to support or challenge his agenda in Congress.

Mackey: The president’s current rating is riding around 42 percent. I find myself in agreement. I support the effort the president is making regarding talks with North Korea. My driving concern is for our Hoosier farmers and hog suppliers. It is obvious the negative impact a trade war with China will affect beyond just the 4th District. Tariffs coupled with cuts to crop insurance and crop subsidies are placing our Hoosier farmers at notable risk.

Mackey: I love town halls. I enjoy public engagement in any format. I plan to make as many public appearances as a congressional schedule will allow. I want constituents from all corners of the 4th District to have an opportunity to engage with their congressional representative.

4. Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents.

Mackey: I’m a blue collar guy, a retired machinist and a pediatric cancer activist. I understand the most under represented demographic in Washington today are working people. It’s time to break the mold and send a working man to Congress. I also am the only candidate that has experienced the devastation of losing two children to cancer. Today, my wife and I operate an all-volunteer pediatric cancer foundation. I bring firsthand knowledge of the failures of our current health care system and ideas on how best to repair health care.

Did not immediately respond: Ronald Ellis and Veronikka Ziol, both Democrats.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Indiana’s primary is May 8. To check the candidates who will be on your ballot, as well as where to vote early and on Election Day, go to indianavoters.in.gov.

Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.