First City News is providing coverage of the Indiana House District 64 race ahead of the upcoming primary election. House District 64 includes portions of Knox, Gibson, Pike, Posey, and Vanderburgh counties.
There is one candidate running unopposed on the Republican ballot and one candidate running unopposed on the Democratic ballot. Both will advance to the November general election.
Because a portion of Knox County, including Vincennes, falls within the district, we are including these candidates in our primary election coverage. Both candidates were sent the same questionnaire. Their written responses are below. Minimal editing has been made for clarity and sentence structure.
CANDACE GREER (DEMOCRAT)
QUESTION: Please introduce yourself and explain what led you to run for State Representative.
ANSWER: My name is Candace “Candy” Greer. I want to give our community and my generation a chance to be heard.
QUESTION: How do you assess the most recent General Assembly session, and what aspects of the legislation were you most pleased with or not pleased with?
ANSWER: I am proud that we resisted gerrymandering, and I want to help in the fight. I am, however, sick of seeing our state politicians sell us out, specifically the provision that was voted down by the incumbent that would have eliminated the sales tax on residential electricity.
QUESTION: What is the top issue facing District 64 right now, and how would you address it?
ANSWER: Our public schools losing funding and our teachers being treated unfairly.
QUESTION: Beyond that issue, what other priorities would you focus on if elected?
ANSWER: Raising wages, supporting our unions, expanding access to education, healthcare, infrastructure in rural areas, keeping our children protected in schools, supporting family farms, giving working people a break.
QUESTION: How would you work with lawmakers from both parties to move legislation forward?
ANSWER: By bringing respect back. By asking who the policies benefit. I’m not strong on certain things, I would seek the knowledge of those who know more and ask them to come to the table with me.
QUESTION: Why should voters choose you to represent District 64.
ANSWER: I am one of you. I was raised here, I have worked alongside you, my children go to the same schools as yours. I found out when I went to defend a book from being banned that I am not just a voice, I am an echo. I am tired of being sold out. I am tired of feeling disconnected and forgotten about from the people that are supposed to represent me. I am tired of the most vulnerable among us being targeted. I am tired of the injustice.
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MATT HOSTETTLER (REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT)
Assumed office November 7, 2018.
As of this posting, Representative Hostettler has not responded to First City News with answers to the questionnaire. The questionnaire was first sent on March 4 to the email address listed on his Facebook page and website, with a response deadline of March 30.
After no response was received, On March 30th the email was resent on and a message was also submitted through his website. When there was still no response, First City News contacted the Indiana Statehouse on April 8 and was provided the email address for Representative Hostettler’s press secretary. A request was then sent through the press secretary for responses to the questionnaire.
In good faith, the deadline to respond has been extended to April 16. If and when a response is received, it will be posted here.
