The Tribune has partnered with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and American Democracy Project at Indiana University in South Bend to publish applicants’ responses to questions about the topics. The IUSB and ADP league operate Vote411. org, an online page containing data on applicants and their positions on key issues. The site also includes other equipment for navigating the voting process.
The Tribune agreed to publish the candidates’ responses without modification, meaning that any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors belong to the candidates. Tribune publishes just a few of the questions from a variety of vital races. Additional questions and answers can be obtained at Vote411. org.
Ross Case
Democrat
Insurance Agent
ross. deal@sbcglobal. net
rossdealforindiana. com
574-258-0805
Jake Teshka
Republican
The candidate responded.
Which challenge is more urgent in Indiana: voter or voter fraud?What is the greatest risk to the integrity of elections?Explain.
Agreement: The state of Indiana has put in place a large number of safeguards for the electoral formula that guarantees fair elections. No credible allegations of fraud have been made since these safeguards were put in place. The biggest fear is access to the polls. Efforts to increase Election Day hours, increase days for early voting, make Election Day a holiday, and make mail-in voting less difficult were all defeated by the GOP’s vast majority. This is very unfortunate given that Indiana ranks very low in terms of voter turnout. For representative government to function at its best, all citizens must be heard. Lawmakers take steps to make voting easier. They did the opposite.
Teshka: He didn’t answer.
If elected, what is the first bill you will have in the 2023 legislative session?Why this one?
Deal: If elected, I would call for the legalization of medical marijuana. Although inconclusive, evidence suggests there are benefits for others with a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, and glaucoma. , sclerosis, severe chronic pain, and side effects of cancer treatment. Veterans and others with PTSD may also benefit. Also, I believe it will help combat the opioid epidemic by creating an option for those highly addictive drugs.
Teshka: He didn’t answer.
Indiana ranks low when it comes to maternal health. If so, what will the legislator do about this problem?
Agreement: The state wants to do a greater task of participation, empowerment and schooling of women. It is vital that access to physical care is equivalent at all socio-economic levels, as women with disabilities and women of colour are most at risk. Telefitness facilities want to expand and multidisciplinary care plans will be implemented. Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period are among the leading causes of death for women aged 20 to 34. It is imperative that women receive care at this specific time. Indiana has the resources to do that. The legislature deserves to make this a precedent by building a maternal mortality review committee that would be the benchmark for identifying and reviewing pregnancy-related fitness problems.
Teshka: He didn’t answer.
On August 5, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law banning abortion unless it is in cases of rape and incest (before 10 weeks after fertilization), to protect the life and physical condition of the mother, or if the fetus is diagnosed with a fatal abnormality. Do you think the law goes too far, or not enough, by restricting access to abortion?
Deal: What the facts tell me is that blanket abortion bans don’t work, make abortion less safe, and lead to higher maternal mortality rates. Indiana already has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country. Exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormality and the life of the mother are important and those medical decisions will need to be made between a woman and her doctor without government interference. Each scenario is unique, as is each individual. This law is a “one-length that fits all” approach. The facts tell us that those who can will still get the care they need. Women at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder will be the maximum penalized. The lawmaker missed an opportunity to hear from the electorate directly by putting the consultation in the poll in the form of a non-binding referendum. Instead, the male-majority supermajority chose to impose its will on the basis of devout, non-public beliefs. I would rather keep it as it was before September 15th!
Teshka: He didn’t answer.
What is your position on wetland cover in Indiana?Is there too much regulation, too little regulation, or something in between?
Treatment: The legislator continued on the path of sacrificing the environment to gain special interest advantages. In 2021, a bill was passed that eliminated vital wetland cover that had been in place since 2004. Wetlands not only provide vital habitat, but clean up pollutants and help mitigate flooding by absorbing and retaining excess water. Over the past hundred years, Indiana has lost eighty-five percent of its wetlands. I think it’s no coincidence that we’re seeing the effects of climate replenishment. more generalized. The legislature will have to stick to science, not special interest money.
Teshka: He didn’t answer.