Utilities, marijuana, Project 2025: Indiana governor hopeful holds Evansville town hall

EVANSVILLE — Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick fielded questions from an audience at a crowded union hall Tuesday evening, covering topics ranging from marijuana to high utility costs.

In Evansville for a campaign town hall, the New Castle, Indiana, native said she'd "unapologetically" support rights for LGBTQ Hoosiers, and encouraged attendees to dive into her plan for property tax reform .

The former state schools superintendent, McCormick is running against Republican Mike Braun and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.

Tuesday's event was moderated by Ryan Hatfield, current state representative and candidate for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge.

Does McCormick support legalizing marijuana?

When it comes to legalizing marijuana, McCormick said, "it's time."

"We can start by being responsible and establishing the industry for medical ..." she said. "Hoosiers are getting (marijuana), we're just not getting the revenue."

McCormick said she's talked to veterans and cancer patients who crossing state lines with the drug, risking their jobs or jail while doing so.

"I'm a firm believer, we learn form states who did it well and states who didn't do it well, and we learn those lessons and we get well established industry for medical first," she said.

Indiana is dabbling with that now with CBD and hemp, but it's not well-regulated, McCormick said.

"They know eventually at that statehouse that we're going to have to do this," she said. "We are missing out on a ton of revenue."

Utility costs, and the role of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission

McCormick said many people are trying to get a handle on the IURC's decisions and rate increases around the state.

Her focus would be on the makeup of the IURC, incentivizing alternative energies and going after federal money that could help the state.

"I hear it everywhere I go about the utility costs," she said.

'Project 2025 hit Indiana years ago'

McCormick also fielded a couple questions around Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation plan for right-wing policy initiatives and plans if Donald Trump wins the presidential election.

"Project 2025 hit Indiana years ago before we knew what it was called," McCormick said.

McCormick said all of the plans in Project 2025 around education aren't surprising to educators in Indiana.

"We have been the test case for most of the education space of that Project 2025," she said, "and after years I will tell you we have not seen much success."

Asked what residents could do to combat the plan, McCormick said it is complex.

"It's very, very wealthy folks and organizations who are behind it," she said.

McCormick said the best bet is to be informed on what is in the plan and go out and inform others.

"Hold your elected officials accountable to not support the nonsense that's in it," she said.

McCormick said it's not just in the education arena, but in family planning, healthcare and workforce.

Reproductive rights for Hoosiers

McCormick said from day one, the governor platform should be used to push for restoring reproductive rights and freedoms.

Any board, commission or agency that influences that topic needs to be reviewed. McCormick also supports ballot initiatives for the state.

"It is time in Indiana," she said.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Utilities, marijuana, Project 2025: Indiana governor hopeful holds Evansville town hall