Penny Githens’ bid for District 60 in Indiana is highlighted by one significant difference from her opponent: Peggy Mayfield.
“Mayfield doesn’t listen, and I just couldn’t sit there,” Githens said.
Mayfield, the Republican incumbent for District 60, won her district in 2014 and defeated the Democrat challenger Daymon L. Brodhacker by almost 4,000 votes.
Githens, the Democrat candidate this year, said she thinks things are changing in her favor.
“We’re seeing a real swing in what people want, and we’re not riding anyone’s coattails,” Githens said.
After redistricting in 2010, Bloomington is represented by five different state house representatives, with District including only a small portion of Monroe County.
Sue Wanzer, member of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said when redistricting occurred it became more difficult for Democrats to get a hold on the area.
“That’s just how the district is drawn, as well as three of the other districts. One was drawn just with Bloomington, the one Matt Pierce represents,” Wanzer said. “So it was just assumed that that was the Democratic district and the other four are Republican districts.”
She said Mayfield is more familiar to voters, too, because she has had other positions in the Mooresville and Martinsville area and owned an insurance business.
She said Mayfield has failed to show up to League of Women Voters panels or forums set up between candidates.
“If you want to know the difference between their two campaigns ... Peggy who? I mean, there’s nothing,” Wanzer said. “Maybe she’s just talking to folks in Martinsville. I don’t know.”
Throughout the campaign, Githens has been unable to engage with her opponent face to face.
Over the course of the 2016 election cycle, Githens and her campaign proposed three forums, all of which Mayfield refused to respond to or attend. The only forum Mayfield did attend was one that was not open to the public.
Githens said she thinks her opponent would have trouble explaining some of her votes, such as when Mayfield tried to pass a bill into law that would have prevented out-of-state college students from voting in Indiana.
“She just doesn’t respond to things,” Githens said. “It’s hard for her to answer for some of her votes.”
While Mayfield refused comments in local newspapers, Githens said she is trying to run a more open, issue-oriented campaign. Githens’ campaign manager, Morgan Murphy, said people relate to what Githens is talking about this election.
“She talks about public education and how we need to invest in schools,” Murphy said. “That’s not something that people disagree with.”
Public education is one of the major topics on the table for Githens this year. Githens said her focus is on improving education in particular by mandating kindergarten and focusing less on testing.
Githens said the testing does not provide the information administrators need and it contributes to stress and anxiety in children.
“They’re stressed,” Githens said. “They feel like failures.”
Mandated kindergarten would allow parents to work during the day without having to pay for expensive child care, Githens said.
Families and businesses are attracted to areas with high-quality schools.
“Maintaining quality schools is good for your bottom line too,” Githens said.
Githens said a strong educational system would enhance the economy and encourage business owners.
Murphy said while Githens tried to engage with Mayfield on education issues, Mayfield has focused on social issues and gun rights and has failed to understand the needs of her constituents.
“They’re all kind of like, ‘Hey, we have real problems.
We don’t necessarily care if you can carry guns in the statehouse or legislation along that line,’” Murphy said. “‘We want legislation that improves our community.’”
Murphy said she believes Mayfield has refused to engage with the issues because she is afraid of making a mistake or looking foolish. Mayfield’s contact, or lack of contact, with her constituents is a mark against her.
“I think it’s definitely disgraceful,” Murphy said. “It’s her job, and it’s important that she engage with her constituents.”
Based off what she has seen from Mayfield, Githens said she hopes to make a real difference in District 60 just as she has done in the state already.
Another major motivation for Githens entering the race has been her desire to improve the state for her autistic son, Nathan.
When Nathan was born, Githens said her insurance company would not cover him on their plan and she wanted that to change.
“My son did nothing to cause his autism,” Githens said. “It didn’t seem fair that insurance companies get to choose.”
Githens stood on record before the Indiana commission on autism, and, after two years, she succeeded in gaining coverage for her son and set a precedent for those like him.
Githens said, if elected, she wants to make a difference in legislature and with her constituents just like when she fought for her son.
“I am ready to rock and roll,” Githens said.
