LAFAYETTE, IN — Republican Mark Hufford is challenging incumbent Heath VanNatter for a spot on the November ballot for the 38th District in the Indiana House of Representatives.
The 38th District spans Battle Ground and Monticello in the west, and western Kokomo and Tipton in the east.
The winner of the GOP primary will face Democratic candidate Nate Stout in the fall election.
The Journal & Courier asked candidates in contested primary races to answer questions to help voters learn about them.
A complete list of Tippecanoe County candidates on the May 5 Primary Election ballot can be found online.
Tell us about yourself
Hufford: Age: He did not respond. Current occupation and any previous political experience: We own Double M Farms and manage two small businesses with employees and many repeat customers. He serves as a pastor and on several ministry boards. He did not respond to whether he has political experience. The city you live in: He did not respond.
VanNatter: Age: 49. Current occupation and any previous political experience: He is a homebuilder and has been a state representative for 16 years. The city you live in: Kokomo.
What are the three biggest issues you’re hearing from constituents in this election cycle?
Hufford: I hear many people that are concerned about the threat of land and water grabs for solar, wind and data projects. I also hear people not wanting recreational marijuana to be legalized. (This is my opponent’s leading bill push. He authored House Bill 1630, which would have legalized marijuana use for those over 21.) Another concern is the condition of public education in our state.
VanNatter: Jobs and the economy are No. 1. Those are mainly all I hear about from community members.
How do you plan to address those issues if elected?
Hufford: I will fight to protect our land and water. I already have gone to the Statehouse in 2025 to testify against House Bill 1668, which would have given too much power to the state to override local control measures for these types of projects. I will continue to fight against these projects and look for alternative options. This really concerns the rural and small-town population.
I will fight to prevent legalization of recreational marijuana. In every state that marijuana has been legalized, there has been an increase in homelessness, violence, domestic abuse and other social harms.
The amount of tax money appropriated toward the public education system, but yet we are lacking in overall national rating. I will encourage schools to trim the fat and cut unnecessary spending. To become efficient. To make educational excellence the goal. To focus on the basics: reading, writing and arithmetic and a strong emphasis on state and national history. This will give our future adult Hoosiers a good foundation to start their lives out as contributing American citizens.
VanNatter: We are going to continue to lower taxes for Hoosiers and continue to ease regulations, creating a more business-friendly environment. We have a good track record of bringing businesses from Illinois and other high-tax states into the community.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: GOP incumbent and challenger face off for Indiana House 38th District
Reporting by Ron Wilkins and Jillian Ellison, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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