Congressional debate suggest disparity in race

The Republican primary debate for the 9th district of Indiana U.S. House of Representatives seat seemed to leave candidate Kathy Heil with a leg up in the race against opponent Mark Jones.

Heil received loud applause from audience members Tuesday night in the KRC Banquet a number of times for statements about her strict constitutionalist beliefs and strong conservative principles. Jones, on the other hand, did not hear as much praise
from the audience.

One of the first questions asked was about the importance of enumerated powers as defined in the Constitution, but Jones was unable to give a response because he said he did not know what enumerated powers were.

“I’m not sure exactly what enumerated powers is,” Jones said. “I’ll be honest with you. I like the way the Constitution is written. I believe in it. I’m a constitutionalist.”

Despite his attempt to salvage his response, a number of audience members were unimpressed and confused with Jones’ decision to run.

“If he can’t define what the enumerated powers of our Article One Section Eight of our Constitution are, he doesn’t deserve to go to Washington,” audience member Allen Horton said.

Instead, Heil took the spotlight and used the question as an opportunity to challenge what she called President Barack Obama’s “overreaching” policies.

“Enumerated powers are who has the authority to do what,” Heil said. “The president right now, I don’t even know what to say. He’s overreaching into every aspect. Right back to the Affordable Care Act and how unconstitutional it is.”

The audience laughed and applauded in response. Jim Bratten, Indiana state
coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots, began the primary debate with speeches about the importance of spreading conservative ideals and standing behind Tea Party principles.

“Stand on principles,” Bratten said. “Principles don’t change, opinions do. You stand on principle and you don’t deviate from that. You don’t have to
compromise.”

A second speaker, Maria Acosta, president of Central Texas 9-12 Project, said she sees 2014 as a pinnacle year for the conservative party.

Following the speeches, audience members were encouraged to submit questions for both Heil and Jones to answer. Each candidate was given a minute per question.
Both candidates put a strong emphasis on their conservative fiscal policies and disapproval of Obama’s failure to reduce the deficit.

Similarly, they criticized Rep. Todd Young, the Republican incumbent for the 9th district, for not introducing debt limit legislation or adhering to the Constitution.

When a question was asked about the candidates’ plans to reach out and change the minds of low-information voters, Jones argued it isn’t his job to educate those voters, but instead to win the conservative vote.

“I’m a slow learner but I’m a fast teacher,” he said. “I’m looking for the conservative vote. I truly am a conservative and I won’t change my position.”

Heil fervently rejected his claim, arguing the exact opposite position.

“I think it is my job to educate if I was a member of Congress,” she said. “That would be by being open and honest and transparent. The one thing that I will always do is follow the Constitution.”

Despite slightly opposing positions on a couple of issues, both candidates defined themselves as fiscal conservatives. Heil added that she is more of a “cheapskate” than anything else, at which the audience laughed.

“I am a fiscal conservative and I won’t vote for any budget that spends more than what the tax revenues are,” Jones said.

Toward the end of the debate, the candidates were asked to respond on whether they would blend in or stand out as members of Congress.

Jones said he would “probably” not blend in.

“I will never blend in,” Heil said. “I’m not the one to stand back and keep my mouth shut.”