Voters in Indiana Senate District 26 will choose between two candidates this November to represent them in the Indiana Senate. The district includes all of Delaware and Randolph counties. It includes the city of Muncie.
There are 50 members of the Indiana Senate. Their job is to work alongside the governor and the Indiana House of Representatives to create laws and set the state budget. They serve four-year terms, and in Indiana there is no limit on the number of terms a senator 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.
Scott Alexander
Candidate did not fill out WFYI's survey.
Incumbent
Party: Republican
Website: electscottalexander.com
Age: Not verified
Occupation: Indiana State Senator, District 26; Owner of Alexander & Company Real Estate Appraisers
Residence: Muncie
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Senate Majority Campaign Committee (SMCC)
- Indiana Multi Family Housing PAC
- Indiana Merit Construction PAC of ABC
- Law PAC of Indiana
- Indiana Realtors PAC
Top priorities: On his website, Alexander says he prioritizes job protections, safe roads, dependable schools, and responsive government. In the Indiana State Senate, he currently serves on the Agriculture; Judiciary; Natural Resources; and Pensions and Labor Committees.
Andrew Dale
Personal information provided by candidate.
Party: Democrat
Website: daleforindianasenate.com
Age: 59
Occupation: Executive Coach at Harbinger Coach, LLC
Residence: Muncie
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Tom Pitman
- MaryEllen Bertram
- Andrew A Dale
- Julie Metzger
- Nancy Richardson
Dale accepted WFYI's invitation to take a survey. WFYI fact checked statements about publicly available data.
If elected, what are your top policy priorities?
While there are a number of issues and opportunities that face the people of Delaware and Randolph counties, now and for the foreseeable future, concerns about affordability, the lack of fully funded public education, how are the Indiana State legislature is handling taxation and assessments, rural healthcare and laying the groundwork to enable the best possible future for our young people, are front and center priorities for me.
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?
I'm running for Indiana Senate District 26 because I believe the people of East Central Indiana deserve to be heard, and better served, rather than dictated to by outside interests and misguided politicians in Washington D.C. and Indianapolis. It's time that we're served by a custodian of trust rather than a gatekeeper of possibilities.
This election is about you and your neighbors and it's about future generations.
The threat of increased struggles among our farmers, people living in distressed neighborhoods, and those in small towns aren't imagined. They're real. And, not to be overlooked are those simply trying to make ends meet. Our ability to pass along generational wealth is becoming impossible. Listening to the concerns and aspirations of people is of the upmost importance.
People say that they don't trust government, but what they really mean is that they don't trust people. In a sense all of us are the government and I believe our Indiana State legislature can be a better partner in our best future.
I'm here to help solve real and pressing problems with the people of Delaware and Randolph counties.
What is your position on data center development in Indiana?
Data centers have long existed here in Indiana and the United States, and throughout our world but the size of data centers, and the demand on energy and our natural resources, is disconcerting in the absence of proactive analysis that needs performed.
I am support a moratorium of 12 to 18 months on large data center development in Indiana until the results of a non-parison inquiry can be performed and reported to the public so that the right approach can be adopted. From environmental to planning and zoning, and public health impacts, we need to be fully informed and prepared so that we can thoughtfully and wisely participate in what the future holds for an Indiana plan for date center development. We owe that to ourselves and future generations of Hoosiers.
Many voters told us they struggle to afford food, housing and healthcare. If elected, how would you help them address those needs?
While some are doing well, too many people and families in Delaware and Randolph counties are struggling. Lack of affordability—which is felt through persistently rising housing costs, utilities, childcare, groceries, healthcare and other essential goods and services—is a reality that adversely impacts no less than two in five people in East Central Indiana.
Utility costs are too high. It's time our state legislature got out of the backseat with utility interests and into the driver's seat when it comes to regulating ever-ascending utility costs.
Childcare needs to be recognized as an economic issue that needs fixed, once and for all.
Housing is an issue on several fronts, from affordability to availability and condition and safety, to the hardship that's created by Indiana's flat-footed approach to how tax sale properties are handled. And, it's time that our state legislature takes a far more comprehensive approach to issues of homelessness by approaching the issue as an opportunity rather than a criminal matter.
Healthcare, especially rural healthcare, needs to be preserved and strengthened. Similar to the threat of the dissolving of our smaller school corporations, by our Republican led supermajority legislature, our rural hospitals and clinics are at risk of closing.
