Newcomer, incumbent vie for Indiana House District 10 seat

A political newcomer and a longtime incumbent are vying to signify District 10 within the Indiana Home of Representatives.

Republican Manuel Maldonado, 47, of Portage Township, has an intensive background in manufacturing, together with the metal mills and paper business, and is searching for public workplace for the primary time. Democrat Chuck Moseley, 72, additionally of Portage Township, has served District 10 for 14 years. He beforehand served on the Portage Township college board for 9 years.

Maldonado stated he has stepped again from his profession to give attention to his marketing campaign and touted his previous union membership. Moseley spent most of his profession in telecommunications earlier than working along with his daughter in insurance coverage and stated he’s now committing all of his time to the legislature.

Geographically, the district contains the communities of Portage, South Haven, Ogden Dunes and Burns Harbor.

Maldonado stated he and his spouse, Jena-Rae Maldonado, who’s working for the Portage Township Advisory Board, have been concerned in the neighborhood for fairly a while and their want to run for public workplace is an extension of that.

The district wants extra various illustration that may higher interact the neighborhood, Maldonado stated.

“It’s been stagnant and we want a recent perspective,” he stated.

That features addressing rising crime, Maldonado stated, including what occurs throughout the nation has an impression in Indiana. He particularly famous bail reform measures; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker eradicated money bail in that state final 12 months.

Maldonado additionally wish to see the Portage Township faculties “attempt once more” and famous the necessity for trainer assets, in addition to bringing in and supporting small and massive companies inside the district.

He additionally stated he’s involved about inflation.

“It’s not one thing we are able to personally do, however now we have to work exhausting to place up parameters so it doesn’t hit our neighborhood as exhausting,” Maldonado stated.

Moseley stated his priorities embrace ensuring that funds proceed to return to the state and the area for infrastructure enhancements, protecting individuals working, and ensuring that financial development continues in Northwest Indiana.

The subsequent session contains psychological well being initiatives that may present much-needed assets. Individuals with psychological sickness need assistance and infrequently land in jail as a result of there is no such thing as a place else for them to go, Moseley stated.

“We have now each intention of submitting a bipartisan invoice to supply funding for packages in all 92 counties,” he stated.

One other focus is Senate Invoice 1, Indiana’s near-total abortion ban that took impact Sept. 15. Per week later, a downstate choose put a keep on the ban.

“The Supreme Courtroom overturned Roe v. Wade and Indiana was the primary state within the nation to cross abortion laws, a number of the most restrictive within the nation,” Moseley stated.

Moreover, a bipartisan summer season research committee met for preliminary talks about legalizing marijuana for medical and/or leisure use. Each Illinois and Michigan legalized the drug for each in recent times.

“There gave the impression to be fairly sturdy consensus on each side of the aisle” that it’s time for a public dialog about it, Moseley stated, including any hearings would come with representatives from the medical neighborhood.

Moseley’s curiosity in studying extra about some type of legalization just isn’t about growing state income, he stated, however providing a potential medical therapy for veterans uncovered to Agent Orange, affected by post-traumatic stress dysfunction and kids with epilepsy who may use the drug to assist management seizures.

“I need to hear from individuals for and folks in opposition to. If people who find themselves struggling, their lives might be higher, I need to make an knowledgeable determination,” he stated.

alavalley@chicagotribune.com