Kathy Kreag Richardson
Age: 58
Profession: Hamilton County Clerk’s Office, 1976-present (38 years); Hamilton County Clerk, 1984-1991; and State Representative District 29, 1992- present.
Family: Husband, Perry Williams; daughters, Melissa (Jason) Joslin and Mary Ann (Sam) Haymaker; and grandsons, Matthew, Max, Sam, Brad, Taylor and Levi. Daughter of the late Robert and Lillian Kreag.
Education: Graduated from Noblesville High School in 1974, attended Purdue University.
Why are you running for office? To continue to serve the community I love. I have worked hard to become the third ranking member of our House leadership team, which gives me an opportunity to work on the issues of most importance to our district and state such as jobs creation and retention, education and public safety.
Why should you be elected? My many years of experience in working with and listening to the concerns of our district. My leadership skills and ability to problem solve has allowed me to work with a wide variety of groups and issues during my time at the statehouse. I have good working relationships with members of both parties in the House and Senate and have proven that I can work with people and build consensus.
What is something voters should know about you? When I was elected Caucus Chair in 2000, I was the first female elected in the history of the State of Indiana to a leadership role in the House of Representatives. I have and continue to serve on many committees that work directly with projects in our community. I am a member of Noblesville Chamber, Main Street, Kiwanis and the Hamilton County Extension Board.
What are your goals if elected? For the 2015 session, it will be putting together a balanced budget that lives within our means and provides financial support for the services the state provides, all without raising taxes or pushing off financial burdens on future generations. Other goals include fixing the school funding formula, restructuring our code of ethics and improving public safety.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing District 29 and how would you address it? Addressing the school funding formula where there is such a disparity in funding per pupil. As legislators, we will need to find that balance between growing schools and schools that are declining. We must find ways to reward schools that are successful and still help those that are failing. We have great schools, teachers and parents in the district and we need to make sure the funding is fair for all our students.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the state and how would you address it? Continuing to provide the best business climate possible for new jobs and retaining jobs. It is those jobs and Hoosiers working that make our state successful. It is this revenue that is used to provide for our education system, which makes up more than 60 percent of our state budget. And it is our education system which produces the workers and entrepreneurs that keeps business thriving. We as legislators must make sure this circle is complete. Providing resources is important but it isn’t the whole picture. We must look at regulations, efficiencies and technology for solutions to compete not just here, but globally as well.
Joe Marcum
Age: 59
Profession: Retired U.S. history teacher, social studies consultant for Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Education
Family: Wife, Debbie, and daughters, Leigh and Lynn
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Ball State University, 1977; and master’s degree, Ball State, 1982
Why are you running for office? I am running because I believe that we need more of a moderate, balanced attitude toward governing our state. I don’t believe that the super-majority situation that currently exists in state government is healthy. The attempted privatization of our public school system is especially troubling. I believe the people of the district are ready for a change, and I would like to be their voice.
Why should you be elected? I have a sincere desire to better the district and state, not to further party politics. I am not a career politician, nor do I intend to be one. One might argue that because I lack political experience, I shouldn’t be elected. I say that is precisely why I should be elected. We need representatives who listen and respond to their constituents, not career politicians advancing party agendas.
What is something about you voters should know about you? I consider 37 successful years of connecting with thousands of students my most important achievement. During my time as an educator, I have served as an educational team leader, an innovator and as a contract negotiator. I was the varsity volleyball coach at NHS for 18 years, winning sectional titles in 1986, 1988 and 1989. I founded elementary and middle school club volleyball programs, giving athletic opportunities to our youth.
What are your goals if elected? More than 50 percent of the state’s budget is dedicated to education. If elected, I want to add an educator’s voice to the school reform movement in Indiana, focusing on strengthening our public schools, not privatizing them. I want to help implement a state-wide early childhood education program. By improving the educational level of Hoosiers this should bring economic growth and opportunity to Indiana. I want to work toward common-sense tax laws that are responsive to the taxpayers, while not placing undue burdens on our communities. I want to work towards maintaining a healthy state surplus, but not at the expense of the health and welfare of Hoosier citizens.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing District 29 and how would you address it? Our community continues to grow, and this will pose some challenges. I think that the biggest issue that faces our district is how to keep taxes under control but still provide the services that people expect, and the quality educational system that we should demand. With that in mind, I hope to bring a fresh perspective on our tax system, and how we fund our programs, especially our schools.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the state and how would you address it? I honestly believe that one of the biggest issues that faces our state is how to work together to solve the problems that impact Indiana without all the political bickering that goes on. If we can get past the partisan politics that currently exists, we can move forward and work on real solutions. I intend to approach representing the people of the 29th District by working toward a bi-partisan approach to issues. We can then make some real economic and cultural progress.
