Democracy On Display: Candidates Discuss Issues That Matter

The “Meet The Candidates” forum was held at the Middlebury Public Library on Thursday, October 22, 2026, The event was open to the general public and was a great opportunity for concerned voters to hear what political candidates had to say about relevant issues affecting their lives now and in the future.

The event was sponsored by The League of Women Voters and co-hosted by Sarah Rich, Moderator, and Beth Kallimanco, co-chair. Thirteen candidates seeking national, statewide, and local offices presented their views and goals to a “standing room only” audience. The format was for the moderator to pose a question to each candidate, and each candidate responded in three minutes or less. Rebuttals were allowed if candidates competing for the same office were present.

Jamee Decio is opposing Rudy Yakym, the Republican incumbent, to represent Indiana’s 2nd voting district in the Congressional House of Representatives. Yakym was invited to attend this debate but refused the invitation. Decio was asked what she would do to improve the U.S. economy that was different than what Yakym was doing. Her responses were to end the war in Iran which would help decrease gas prices, eliminate the Trump tariffs, and increase the minimum wage. Also on her agenda are income tax decreases for the middle class and tax increases for billionaires. She stated her job would be “to represent all her constituents,” not just the wealthy. She also pointed out that she has conducted at least 14 town hall meetings while Yakym has held no town hall meetings to listen to the concerns of his constituents.

School systems, educators tighten the belt

Michelle Milne, Goshen, is challenging Joanna King, Middlebury, for the position of Indiana State Representative, voting district 49. King has held this elected position for almost five years. Both candidates were asked to respond to the
question, “What are some effective ways to improve funding to schools and libraries? What is working and what is not?” Milne responded first, stating that teachers are being asked to do more with less financial support. The state
Constitution requires strong public education. Indiana needs to improve teachers’ compensation. While starting salaries have improved, compensation increases have not kept pace with inflation. She said one teacher she spoke with felt she was “being set up to fail.”

She went on to stress the importance of adequately funded public education with less emphasis on the current voucher system. Costs not covered by voucher amounts in private schools are the responsibility of the family. This burden puts lower income households at a disadvantage because they are not able to pay for these extra costs. While she acknowledged test scores have gone up, she’s concerned about the cost of child care and reductions in funding for food
programs. Students learn more effectively if they are not hungry.

Joanna King responded by stating that the starting salary for teachers has increased from $52,000 to $63,000 per year since she has been in office. She’s aware that a solid education drives success. She also feels that parents need to be
more involved in their children’s education. She stated that she voted to improve funding into the Indiana Teacher’s Pension Fund. She pointed out that a similar fund in Illinois is bankrupt.

Other Candidates State Goals and Platforms

Gabrianna Gratzol is running for State Senator, District 11. She was asked “How would you speak for the workers you intend to represent?” She responded that she is a working mom employed as a factory worker. She has listened to the
concerns of voters from all walks of life. The concerns they have raised are the affordability of everyday necessities, property tax rates, and the need for energy monopolies to be more closely regulated.

Megan Graham is the Democratic candidate for Elkhart County Circuit Court Clerk. Her question was “What is working well in the election process and how could it be improved?” She would build on what’s working. To help achieve that
goal, she would evaluate the number of voting centers and the poll workers who staff them. To help alleviate the shortage of poll workers, she would consider asking employers to give these workers a paid day off. Graham would also like to
improve the way election information is distributed by creating a community board that would keep the public informed.

Patty Pickens is a Republican candidate opposing Graham and was given the same question. She would review the election process and establish better communication with the Election Board. Pickens would work on rebuilding trust in
the election process so that voters feel they have a fair opportunity to cast their ballots.

Kevin Peters is the Democratic candidate for Elkhart County Council, District 3. The question posed to him was “Do you Support the the Construction of Data Centers?” This topic is controversial at every level of government. Peters responded that he is not currently in favor of having more data centers built. First, he is in favor of assessing their true environmental impact and actual utility costs. He also wants state and federal regulation because he does not trust the self-regulation process for this industry. AI is currently being used for good as well as evil purposes and he would push for clear guidelines.

Caleb Mast is a Republican running for a seat on the Middlebury School Board. His answer to the question of “How would you Support Teachers and Students,” was that support is a concept that has to start at the top, the school board, and filter down to the classroom. Financial issues and transparency are vitally important.

Deborah Johnson, a Republican, is a candidate hoping for a seat on the Jefferson Township Board. She would review township spending and examine available resources. Johnson would work within the limitations established by state law to maintain public services and improve the quality of life for her constituents. She is an advocate of planning for long term spending.

Mitch Miller is running on the Republican ticket to be a member of the York Township board. In spite of a loss of revenue for municipal services, Miller feels that when assessed property values go up, taxes will naturally go up. This makes home ownership a good investment. He would look to consolidate municipal services with other townships.

Gary Cripe. Cripe was asked to address the affordable housing shortage in Middlebury as a Republican member of the city’s town council. He stated that Middlebury is home to the highest average age group in the county. He is not in
favor high density housing but would encourage lower cost single dwelling structures with low maintenance features.

Moderator Sarah Rich concluded the presentation with an explanation of two referendum questions that will be on all state ballots. One of these questions deals with giving judges more latitude with assigning bail and bail dollar amounts to
individuals accused of crime. The other question addresses the issue of where court officials can reside in relation to the counties they serve.

The program was then opened to individual meetings with all candidates present.