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Democrat Sue Errington and Republican Brad Oliver may be from different political parties, but during their debate Tuesday, they managed to agree on many points.
Both candidates for Indiana House District 34 want to increase jobs to the Muncie area and try to help decrease the cost of tuition for students. However, they both have different ideas on what the legislature needs to do to accomplish those goals.
The debate was moderated by assistant professor Charles Taylor and co-director of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs Ray Scheele.
Education and the economy were two of the heavily discussed topics, but questions also covered issues like the Affordable Care Act, same-sex marriage, legalization of marijuana and women's health.
Scheele, who is also a professor of political science, said this race is especially important because the next legislative session is a budget year, which will affect all aspects of life, including higher education.
"The person that represents Muncie will have a chance to have input in the very first version and that's a very important step," Scheele said. "I think it's very important that the person elected here from Muncie will be able to stand up not just for K-12 education but also higher education."
Both candidates stressed helping students graduate with less debt. They both agreed that having two-year programs available as an option for students will help them by having another option.
"Not every student is ready to go to a four-year college, and some never will be," Errington said. "We need to have two-year programs prepared."
Oliver emphasized career placement to help students have jobs after graduation, especially since Indiana is moving away from manufacturing and towards service-oriented jobs.
"I look forward to providing results-oriented leadership at the Statehouse that will help us move beyond a traditional manufacturing economy to what economist Richard Florida refers to as a creative economy," Oliver said.
The candidates differed on how to bring more jobs to the area. Errington wants more government partnership with the private sector to create jobs. Oliver would like less regulation of businesses.
"The last thing we want to do is regulate them and tax them to death," Oliver said.
The candidates also disagreed on many issues that are being brought up on the national and state level. Errington believes it will benefit many citizens, especially college students, who can stay on their parents' health insurance plan longer. Oliver has concerns about the hidden costs of the Affordable Care Act.
"I was raised to believe there is never anything free in life, including universal health care," Oliver said.
Other disagreements were same-sex marriage. The candidates stayed with their political parties on this issue, with Errington strongly opposed to any state amendments that ban same-sex marriage.
"I don't believe in writing discrimination into our state government," Errington said.
Despite their differences, both candidates encouraged students to get involved in politics, and invited them to help with their campaigns.
"I'm really proud of the involvement Ball State students have," Errington said. "Many people say students are apathetic. I don't think that's true."
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