The person who fills Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat after Election Day on Nov. 5 will have a key role in helping advance or fight the policy agenda of the next president in the White House .
Three candidates are vying for the Hoosier state’s open seat: Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks , Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning . Banks is the clear favorite based on independent polling and national election watchers.
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Here are where Banks, McCray and Horning stand on four federal issues. You can find more information about each candidate’s position on their campaign websites.
Where Indiana U.S. Senate candidates stand on immigration
Jim Banks:
Banks, the Republican representing Indiana’s 3 rd Congressional District, supports Trump-era immigration policies to “secure the border.” Banks’ campaign site states he would support building a “physical barrier” at the southern border and requiring migrants from Mexico to remain in the country before any asylum claims are heard. When Banks was in charge of the Republican Study Committee, the congressman led delegations of House Republicans to the southern border to meet with local officials and law enforcement.
Valerie McCray:
McCray said she traveled to the southern border this summer and took a class from local residents. She described it as a “heartbreaking” experience. "You’re reminded nobody really wants to leave their homes," she said.
If elected, McCray said she would focus on “comprehensive immigration form legislation.” According to her campaign website , that would include expedited work permits, “fairer” and “more efficient” processes for asylum claims and immigrant visas. Additionally, she would advocate for more funding for immigration judges, officers and border patrol agents.
Andrew Horning:
Horning believes the U.S. government is "intentionally luring and transporting people from all around the world" into the country, not just over the southern border. In a March post on one of his websites, Horning writes that the U.S. should have "orderly immigration" across the country's borders as outlined in the federal and state constitutions. Horning believes several issues factor into the dilemmas the U.S. is currently facing on immigration, including: making "legal" labor too costly, allowing "tax-paid freebies" to go to immigrants lacking permanent legal status and end detrimental U.S. involvement in other countries that makes those citizens seek options outside of their home country.
Jim Banks profile: Once skeptical of Trump, Jim Banks vows to be his 'conservative fighter' in U.S. Senate
Valerie McCray profile: Senate candidate Valerie McCray made history. Beating Jim Banks will be more challenging.
Andrew Horning profile: The Libertarian facing Jim Banks has run for office for 30 years. Is 2024 his last time?
Where Indiana U.S. Senate candidates stand on abortion
Jim Banks:
Banks is anti-abortion. The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America grou p gave the Indiana congressman an A+ on lawmaker report cards for voting “consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants.” He also received a “True Blue” award from the Family Research Council for his “pro-life and pro-family voting record.”
While in the U.S. House, Banks has proposed legislation to oppose abortion efforts, including a bill earlier this year to track states where Medicaid dollars could fund abortion procedures. In 2021, Banks also organized House Republicans to oppose an effort by Democrats to repeal a law to stop federal dollars from funding abortions.
Valerie McCray
McCray said she believes in medical privacy and bodily autonomy for women. According to her campaign website, McCray would advocate to protect national access to abortion procedures, medication and contraception. McCray said she would also seek to protect patient and physician privacy.
Andrew Horning
Horning said he believes abortion is not and should not be a federal issue in a "constitutional, truly federal government." He believes that issues like murder, abortion and theft are state-level issues, although he said he is personally is " pro-life and pro-individual."
Where Indiana U.S. Senate candidates stand on the economy
Jim Banks
Banks said on his campaign website that he supports “pro-growth” policies that will result in low unemployment numbers and wage growth. Banks supported former President Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , which reformed income taxes for individuals and businesses.
Valerie McCray
McCray on her campaign website said she would advocate for supporting unions, ending “shipping jobs overseas” and corporations sharing profits “appropriately.” Additionally, McCray said she would focus on economic security for the middle-class and families seeking middle-class status.
Andrew Horning
Horning believes the federal government needs to stop spending as much money and that the country needs banking and lending reform. In a May post on one of his websites, Horning states that the country's central bank over-issues money to cover the federal government's overspending, which helps the "investment class" but not regular people.
Where Indiana U.S. Senate candidates stand on foreign policy
Jim Banks
While Banks has advocated to support U.S. allies, such as Israel, and taken strong stances against nations like China and Iran, he has not supported aid to Ukraine.
Banks sits on the House select committee that focuses on strengthening the U.S. against the Chinese Communist Party. President Joe Biden this year signed a bill Banks carried into law that aims to sanction Iran for human rights abuses. He also believes the U.S. should continue to support Israel, especially following the Israel-Hamas war that ignited last October, and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in August.
Valerie McCray
McCray, according to her campaign website, believes U.S. foreign policy is inconsistent and should be implemented to equally “value ALL human life.” McCray believes a two-state solution and immediate ceasefire is needed in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Andrew Horning
Horning said he believes in "global mind-your-own-business." In multiple posts on his website, Horning writes that the U.S. should no longer fund and train foreign and domestic enemies and instead focus on "dangers" within the country's own borders.
Contact IndyStar's state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter /X @CarloniBrittany
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Comparing Indiana's U.S. Senate candidates on abortion, immigration and foreign policy
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