Beidinger challenges DeVon in race for Indiana House District 5

The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League and IUSB's ADP operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues. The site also includes other tools to help navigate the voting process.

The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from a selection of significant races. Additional questions and answers are available at Vote411.org.

Heidi Beidinger

Democrat

Faculty - University of Notre Dame

heidi@heidiforindiana.com

http://www.heidiforindiana.com

Facebook.com/heidiforindiana

Dale DeVon

Republican

Which issue is more pressing in Indiana: voter access or election fraud? Which is the greater threat to election integrity? Explain.

Beidinger: Voter Access is more pressing than election fraud because research has demonstrated that elections are safe and secure. Using the fear of election fraud is a tactic employed by the GOP to scare people into believing election results are not reliable. Voter access is a greater threat to election integrity. Indiana’s voter suppression tactics intentionally limit voter access for minority and lower income persons: (a) information about candidates, (b) voter registration and voting (early and day-of) information is not easily found, (c) Indiana purges voter registration with little notification to the voter, and (d) early and day-of voting are not particularly accessible to individuals who work second and third shifts or have multiple jobs.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

If elected, what is the first bill you will champion in the 2023 legislative session? Why that one?

Beidinger: I will champion a bill to repeal SB1. If SB1 is found to be unconstitutional based upon this week’s stay, I will champion a bill to establish a bi-partisan committee for redistricting OR I will champion a bill to allow citizen initiated referendum. I will work to repeal SB1 because that bill removes the right for a woman to have autonomy to make decisions about their own body. This bill represents the WORST type of ideology that focuses on reducing women’s rights and humanity ultimately making women less than men in the eyes of the law.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

States across the nation are debating how to teach concepts of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, and political affiliation in K-12 schools. What role should teachers, parents, and legislators play in determining curricular content?

Beidinger: This is an important debate and we are losing our ability to engage in discussion and debate about these issues in Indiana. Teachers should be at the epi-center of developing curriculum. Teachers are educated experts in content and pedagogy, education will not be improved by getting legislators involved in that process. The role of parents and legislators is oversight and policy. Parents have traditionally had access to schools through school board meetings, educational foundation meetings, guidance departments and direct communication with teachers and principals. Legislators should focus on policy/legislation that provides a framework and resources for teachers to develop curriculum that focuses on inclusivity and reproductive health. We do not need to reinvent the wheel rather I would look to exemplars that already exist in the US.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

Indiana ranks poorly when it comes to maternal health. What, if anything, should the legislature do about this problem?

Beidinger: The legislature should be focused on this problem because it represents an absolute failure of our health care system. One-third of the 92 counties in Indiana do not have delivery facilities and services. There are many things the legislature can and should do that would dramatically improve outcomes: a. Increasing the number and type of health care professionals who can provide prenatal and postnatal care. b. Allow doulas and mid-wives to practice autonomously c. Fund doulas and mid-wives (private insurance and Medicaid) d. Incentivize medical students to specialize in OB-GYN e. Implement equitable policies that address structural racism f. Address environmental contaminants that lead to pregnancy complications g. Increasing health care access to primary as well as prenatal care h. Implement workplace accommodations for pregnant workers.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

The Indiana General Assembly recently banned transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams at the K-12 level. Do you support this ban, and should such a ban include college athletes?

Beidinger: I do not support this ban.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

What is your stance on wetlands protection in Indiana? Is there too much regulation, too little regulation, or something in between?

Beidinger: There is too little regulation of wetlands and environment. Indiana frequently ranks as the most polluted state in the country. Rather than striking a balance between business and environment, legislators loosely regulate polluters which is why we have the dirtiest waterways and the third worst air quality.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

On August 5th, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law banning abortion except in cases of rape and incest (before 10-weeks post-fertilization), to protect the life and physical health of the mother, or if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. Do you support this new law? Do you think the law goes too far, or not far enough, in restricting access to abortion?

Beidinger: I will work to repeal this law. It’s monstrous.

DeVon: ACandidate has not yet responded.

The state of Indiana gave each Indiana taxpayer a $325 tax refund in 2022. Did you support this plan? Why or why not?

Beidinger: No, I did not support this plan. The $6B surplus is not a victory but rather a blatant example of legislative failure. The purpose of tax collection is to invest in programs, policies and services that improve the quality of life for citizens. This surplus demonstrates a total lack of planning and investment in people. Indiana has significant health, environmental, educational and social problems all of which would benefit from thoughtful planning and investment.

DeVon: Candidate has not yet responded.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Elections 2022: Beidinger challenges Devon for IndianaHouse District 5