Candidates line up to succeed Banks

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Greater than a 12 months earlier than the 2024 main, two high-profile candidates have already got launched bids for Rep. Jim Banks’ seat in Congress.

Banks is vacating his seat within the U.S. Home to run for that of Sen. Mike Braun, who’s, in flip, leaving Congress to run for governor. State Sen. Andy Zay, a Republican from Huntington, and Allen County Choose Wendy Davis each introduced their campaigns this month. The 2 candidates stopped by Information 8’s studios to offer an early preview of their plans for “All INdiana Politics.”

Sen. Andy Zay

Zay has served within the Indiana Senate since he was first elected in 2016. He mentioned this expertise has given him the coverage background different potential candidates lack, notably in terms of understanding how federal spending impacts state-level policymaking. Despite the fact that the first continues to be greater than a 12 months away, Zay mentioned now’s the time to construct a motion and arrange a donor community.

“Whenever you look forward on the prospects of 2024, it might be a really noisy session,” he mentioned, noting the presidential and gubernatorial primaries set for that 12 months.

Zay voted for final 12 months’s invoice that banned abortion below practically all circumstances in Indiana. He mentioned he would help comparable laws on the federal degree with no exceptions apart from to avoid wasting the lifetime of the mom.

Banks has criticized the quantity of assist going to Ukraine in that nation’s battle in opposition to Russia’s invasion. Zay charted a unique course. He mentioned whereas he’s cautious of sending massive quantities of money to the nation, he favors offering Ukraine with army tools as long as it’s accomplished strategically.

Zay labored on laws surrounding small modular reactors throughout his time within the legislature and he mentioned he would push for comparable laws on the federal degree. He mentioned doing this might assist decrease electrical energy charges and supply a secure home power supply.

Choose Wendy Davis

Davis served for 12 years as an Allen County circuit court docket decide earlier than stepping down from the bench this month to run for Congress. She mentioned she has grown bored with reacting to coverage points in her courtroom and as an alternative needs to sort out these points proactively.

Davis’ marketing campaign web site offers extensively with the problem of fentanyl and opioid abuse. She instructed Information 8 the federal authorities must deal with addicts in another way from sellers. She mentioned the legal justice system must do a greater job of connecting addicts with psychological well being providers to higher deal with underlying points.

Like Zay, Davis differed from Banks on Ukraine assist. She mentioned if Russia prevails in Ukraine, that may embolden China to assault Taiwan, which in flip may encourage Russian incursions into NATO allies in Europe reminiscent of Poland.

Davis mentioned she would push for a balanced federal price range yearly if elected.

“We’re needlessly spending in Washington, D.C. I feel a variety of the American folks do not know how the federal authorities is needlessly spending on the craziest issues,” she mentioned.

The congressional main shall be in Might 2024.

“All INdiana Politics” airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WISH-TV.