Voters in Indiana House District 46 will choose between two candidates this November to represent them in the Indiana House of Representatives. The district includes all of Owen County, and portions of Clay, Vigo and Monroe counties. It includes the cities of Gosport, Spencer, Ellettsville and Clay City.
There are 100 members of the Indiana House of Representatives. Their job is to work alongside the governor and the Indiana State Senate to create laws and set the state budget. Their seats go up for election every two years, and in Indiana there is no limit on the number of terms a representative can serve.
WFYI opened an ongoing voter survey in May, and the most common voting issues were data center policy, affordability, and feeling disempowered.
WFYI contacted each campaign and sent a survey based on voter questions — it asked candidates for their top priorities and their positions on civic health, data centers and affordability. For candidates who did not respond, information was gathered from websites and social media for a "Top priorities" note. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Bob Heaton
Candidate did not fill out WFYI's survey.
Incumbent
Party: Republican
Website: votebobheaton.com
Age: 70
Occupation: Indiana State Representative, District 46; President, Heaton Financial Services
Residence: Terre Haute
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Insurance PAC
- Indiana Merit Construction PAC of ABC
- Iron Workers Local 22 PAC Fund
- Indiana Multi Family Housing PAC
- Indiana BANKPAC - State Fund
Top priorities: On his website, Heaton says he supports tax cuts and property tax relief and support for public school funding and students and their families. He says he is pro-life, and a small business advocate, and prioritizes rural infrastructure and connectivity. In the Indiana House of Representatives, Heaton currently serves on the Financial Institutions Committee, serves as Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee for the Ways and Means Committee, and serves as Majority Whip of the House.
James Pittsford III
Personal information provided by candidate.
Party: Democrat
Website: pittsford4indiana.com
Age: 60
Occupation: Retired Union Steamfitter
Residence: Ellettsville
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- James H Pittsford III (self)
Pittsford III accepted WFYI's invitation to take a survey. WFYI fact checked statements about publicly available data.
If elected, what are your top policy priorities?
Funding for rural roads and public schools
Many voters told us they don't think today's politicians listen to their constituents. Why do you think that is, and how would you address the concern?
Most politicians only need their constituents once every two years. I intend to be accessible on a personal level I see my responsibility as a state representative as representing the will of the citizens. I am already attending county council meetings in all four counties and have attended two school board meetings. I want the people to know where they can meet with me in person. As a retired construction worker I know that you need bad news more than you need good news, so you can address issues.
What is your position on data center development in Indiana?
I want the construction jobs and the maintenance jobs after they are built. I want the owners to pay their fair share of taxes. If they receive these tax abatements there is really no benefit to the community where they are located.
Some regulation could be in order in regard to the data that they collect.*
*Editor's note: A data center itself does not necessarily collect data — as this article from NPR Illinois explains, data centers are "warehouse-like buildings that house computer servers and other infrastructure that power the internet, cloud storage and more." The companies that inhabit data centers, and the scope of those companies, can vary significantly.
Many voters told us they struggle to afford food, housing and healthcare. If elected, how would you help them address those needs?
This is an area where I could use some guidance. I don't have all the answers but I am willing to consider reasonable ideas to solve these issues.
