Business BACkers

The next session of the Indiana General Assembly will produce a two-year budget for the state and likely grapple with a number of critical issues – protecting Hoosiers from hate crimes, raising cigarette taxes to invest in public health and workforce productivity, exploring new incentives for redevelopment and industrial reuse…the list goes on.

The 102st General Assembly organizes itself on November 20^th and convenes for the long session in January, but before all that, election results will shape the legislative landscape.  The Indy Chamber’s Business Advocacy has endorsed lawmakers and legislative candidates across the region (and state) based on their support for our key priorities and thoughtful approach to pro-business policymaking.

Central Indiana’s BAC House and Senate endorsements are listed here (click to confirm your district).  You’ll see that we support a large number of incumbents with a proven record of working with us on important issues.  One notable exception that deserves added detail is in Senate District 29,  covering parts of Hamilton, northwest Marion and southeast Boone Counties.

The BAC supports J.D. Ford in SD29, as an energetic challenger with a passion for public service, problem-solving approach and emphasis on ‘talent’ issues – investing in pre-kindergarten programs, strengthening K-12 and expanding access to workforce training and post-secondary education aligned with the job market.

Ford also supports bias crimes legislation, an area where talent and criminal justice intersect; Indiana is one of just five states without laws allowing added punishment for bias crimes, undermining our inclusive culture and ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

J.D. Ford has waged an effective campaign and earned our endorsement as a thoughtful candidate.  But the record of SD29’s incumbent also played a role; he has consistently refused to support bias crime and other anti-discrimination protections and has opposed transit and other economic development priorities, making J.D. Ford an even stronger choice in comparison.

Indy Chamber BAC Endorsements – Central Indiana General Assembly 2018:

Central Indiana Endorsed Legislative Candidates

HOUSE CANDIDATES

Dan Forestal                 HD 100

Donna Schaibley           HD 24

Chuck Goodrich            HD 29

Anthony Cook               HD 32

Malanie Wright            HD 35

Terri Austin                  HD 36

Todd Huston                 HD 37

Jerry Torr                     HD 39

Greg Steuerwald          HD 40

Tim Brown                    HD 41

Bob Cherry                   HD 53

Cindy Kirchhofer          HD 55

Sean Eberhart               HD 57

Chris May                     HD 65

Ed Delaney                   HD 86

Carey Hamilton            HD 87

Brian Bosma                 HD 88

Bob Behning                 HD 91

Karlee Macer                HD 92

Cherrish Pryor              HD 94

Greg Porter                  HD 96

Justin Moed                 HD 97

Robin Shackleford        HD 98

SENATE CANDIDATES

Tim Lanane                   SD 25

Michael Crider             SD 28

JD Ford                         SD 29

Jim Merritt                   SD 31