Election 2024: Indiana’s First Congressional District race

INDIANAPOLIS — As November’s general election approaches, Indiana residents will be able to decide on who represents them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For residents of Indiana’s first district in the U.S. House of Representatives, November’s election will give them the chance to choose between a Democratic incumbent who has been in the seat for multiple terms or a new Republican candidate who has served both in city and county governmental roles.

Before the election, look below at the platforms of each of the first district candidates and what they believe makes them stand out in this particular race.

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind. District 1

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind. District 1 has served as Indiana’s first district congressman since 2021 and is currently running for his third term for the position.

According to his congressional website , Mrvan served on multiple committees as part of the 118th Congress, including the House Committee on Education and Workforce, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and serves as the vice-chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus.

A Ball State graduate, Mrvan served as the North Township Trustee for 15 years before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

For this reelection campaign, Mrvan is focusing on several issues, including growing the economy, lowering healthcare costs, defending women’s rights and protecting the border.

• Growing the Northwest Indiana economy
  • According to Mrvan’s campaign website, Mrvan voted in favor of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which increased investment areas including ports, airports, roads, bridges and broadband internet. Mrvan specifically highlighted the investment of a $6 billion hydrogen hub for the region, which will create several jobs.
  • More than $100 million has been delivered through federal Community Project Funding awards for Northwest Indiana, including funds for infrastructure upgrades, environmental protection, higher education institutions and first responders. Mrvan also said on the website he supports the $1 billion expansion of the South Shore Passenger Rail Line.
• Lowering healthcare costs
  • Mrvan said on his campaign website he has worked to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare, including helping seniors afford prescription drugs, providing Veterans with mental health services and supporting women who need reproductive health care.
  • Mrvan said the Inflation Reduction Act, a piece of legislation he voted for, helped Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices and limits out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 per month.
• Defending women’s rights
  • An original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, Mrvan said on his campaign website that Mrvan aims to make sure Roe v. Wade will be codified. One of Mrvan’s priorities is to “fight to ensure that every woman can make their own decisions about their own bodies, their own futures and their own economic opportunities.”
• Supporting public education
  • Through his time in Congress, and as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, Mrvan said public funds should be dedicated to support public education. Community Project Funding grants have been made available for various academic training programs as a result of partnerships between Mrvan and local higher education institutions.
• Protecting the border
  • Mrvan said on his website protecting the border is a “national security priority,” stressing that he believes in a “safe, secure and humane approach to secure our national border.”
  • “(District 1) is home to an international port of entry, and families across (the) region have seen the devastating impacts of illegal opioids in (the) community,” Mrvan’s website read. “Securing (the) border and national ports is vital in protecting communities across our region. (Mrvan) has consistently advocated for increased border security agents, modernized technology and resources to address drug and human trafficking at (the) border.”
• Fighting for organized labor
  • Mrvan said on his website he believes unions are the foundation of the region’s economy, stating he supports the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, giving all workers the right and the ability to form a union.
• Protecting the environment
  • Stressing that climate change is a “real and urgent threat,” Mrvan said on his campaign website that the Inflation Reduction Act served as the largest climate investment in the history of the United States. The act, which Mrvan voted in favor of, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, supported communities harmed by pollution and bolstered manufacturing for clean energy efficiency.
  • Mrvan said the ongoing climate crisis gives an opportunity to boost American jobs and create a clean energy economy.
• Other Issues
  • During his time in Congress, Mrvan introduced the Dignity for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors Act to support and affirm Veterans who experienced sexual trauma during their service. This act was signed into law.
  • Mrvan also introduced the Safe Recovery Together Act to address the impact of domestic violence, something he said he would continue to advocate resources for to support survivors of domestic violence throughout the region.

FOX59/CBS4 has reached out multiple times to Mrvan regarding this story and has not gotten a response. This story will be updated if Mrvan’s team returns the request for comment.

Randy Niemeyer, Republican

Running as the Republican challenger, Randy Niemeyer was born and raised in Northwest Indiana. According to his campaign website, Niemeyer, an Indiana State University graduate, is a co-owner of Niemeyer Milk Transfer, Inc.

Niemeyer first ran for public office in 2010 and has since served in positions in Cedar Lake and Lake County, according to his website. Niemeyer chose to run for the seat after seeing the impact of the situation of the southern border, as well as inflation, on Northwest Indiana voters.

“I’ve been really active in local government here in northwest Indiana for 16 years and watching what’s happening currently in our country and having two young adult children, I feel like the American dream is further away from that generation than what it’s ever been,” he said in an interview with FOX59/CBS4.

While it is traditionally a Democratic seat, Niemeyer said the first district is a “traditional Midwestern area” that has a “hard-nosed, blue-collar approach to solving problems.” Niemeyer said he believes Mrvan has not taken that approach with his voting record.

“I just feel like (Mrvan) has really become out of touch with the people who live here and really kind of ingrained himself in the Washington machine and become a part of the left-wing movement there in Washington,” he said.

Some of the issues Niemeyer is focusing on throughout his campaign include:

• Education
  • Niemeyer said he takes “immense pride in the value” of public schools, as a person who received a public school education. Niemeyer said he does not believe in a “one-size-fits-all approach” to education, stating that schools should prepare students to thrive in whichever path they choose.
  • “We must focus on ensuring our students are equipped for success in the real world,” he said. “Every student deserves the opportunity to excel in their chosen field, and our educational system should reflect the unique needs and aspirations of our young people.”
• Southern border
  • Niemeyer criticized the “open border” policies he believes the Democratic Party has implemented. He said this has resulted in a “massive influx” of illegal immigrants, threatened the integrity of social security and Medicare and has increased crime and human trafficking.
  • “We must secure our borders, enforce existing immigration laws and protect American workers and communities from the consequences of these reckless policies,” he said.
• Abortion
  • Niemeyer said if he is elected, he aims to protect a person’s ability to make private medical decisions with their doctor, stressing that politicians should not make decisions about a person’s healthcare.
  • “While the Dobbs decision moved the issue to the states,” he said, “federal attempts to ban or codify abortion will likely face constitutional challenges. We need a balanced approach to this deeply personal issue.”
• Northwest Indiana economy
  • Citing the “disastrous” economic policies of the Biden-Harris administration, Niemeyer said unemployment in Northwest Indiana is rising. He said policies are needed that help drive economic growth, cut regulatory burdens and safeguard jobs, specifically in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
• Law enforcement
  • Niemeyer stressed he stands firmly with law enforcement officers and “will always back the blue.”
  • “Politicians in Washington have abandoned those who risk their lives daily to keep our communities safe,” he said. “During my time in local government, I’ve fought hard to secure grants, expand our police force, and ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to protect us.”
• Veterans
  • Niemeyer said many Veterans have been “neglected” by the government, stressing he would aim to improve services through the VA and “ensure they receive the attention and care they deserve.”

According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Hoosiers can register to vote for the 2024 General Election through Oct. 7. For more information on how Indiana residents can register to vote, click here .

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