Hardwick organizes District 69 debate

Prewitt

SEYMOUR — An Indiana District 69 state representative candidate wants to defend her stance on political issues to voters and has invited her opponents to do the same in a public debate.

Independent Katrina “Kat” Hardwick is organizing the event as part of her campaign and is reaching out to incumbent Republican Jim Lucas and Democrat Jeffery Prewitt to participate.

All three are from Seymour.

“We want the people that reside in District 69 to have the opportunity to hear each candidate speak on different topics so they can be more informed on who they’re voting for,” Hardwick said.

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District 69 includes Brownstown, Hamilton, Jackson, Redding, Vernon and Washington townships in Jackson County and parts of Jennings, Bartholomew and Jefferson counties. Lucas has held the seat since 2012.

The debate will take place during the first two weeks of October depending on candidates’ schedules. A location has not been finalized, Hardwick said.

Additional details are forthcoming and will be announced at a later date.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing, the event will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.

Local residents Bonnye Good and Jacob Hunt will serve as moderators.

When it comes to what questions will be asked, Hardwick said it largely will be left up to the moderators.

“We are going to ask the other candidates their preference if they want to address certain topics specifically,” she said.

Since people will not be able to attend the debate in person, Hardwick said they also are considering asking voters to submit questions prior to the event.

Lucas said he looks forward to participating in the debate but would prefer if an outside and recognized organization such as the Seymour Chamber of Commerce would host it.

“I’m all for debating the issues, but the format has to be on equal footing for everybody,” he said. “I’m leery of a candidate setting something up. It needs to be fair and equal to everyone.”

Lucas said he has participated in debates before, some where he has had time to prepare his answers and other times when they were impromptu.

“I can do either as long as the questions are fair and everyone gets the same amount of time and it’s a genuinely equal format for voters to make an informed decision,” he said.