(Indianapolis, IN) – Democratic and Libertarian candidates for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat debated health care and immigration with minimal drama or personal attacks.
The debate offered Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning a final opportunity to connect with voters before Election Day but both face significant challenges in name recognition and funding, with national attention largely focused on Indiana’s governor’s race.
Horning, a seasoned candidate, addressed government corruption and proposed significant federal downsizing.
“We like to think we have more control over D.C. than we do over our own states. That is not the case and that has never been the case,” Horning contended. “It’s exceptionally dangerous how we’re centralizing more and more power into the U.N.”
Noticeably missing was Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN-03) who, despite being the front-runner, declined the Indiana Debate Commission’s invitation. McCray referenced Banks only briefly, first on his CHIPS Act vote and later during her closing remarks, where she criticized his absence, suggesting that he “disrespects” Indiana voters.
McCray expressed her commitment to improving mental health care and expanding telehealth access in rural areas, a priority that inspired her political journey. She closed the debate with direct questions for Hoosiers.
“Do they want the opportunity to make a choice for their own lives; decide what they want for their own bodies? Do they want to make sure that we support families and day care and making sure we have those things that make our own lives work?,” McCray asked. “My main opponent is not here today because he disrespects Indiana Hoosiers.”
As the debate concluded, Horning, caught on a hot microphone, congratulated McCray on her mention of Banks, drawing laughter in the studio.
(Story by our newsgathering partners at Indiana News Service)
