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Healthcare
4.00
Economics
4.00
Candidate Name
Ross Thomas
District
State Senate District 41
Values
Grade
Values
Party
Democrat
Experience
Challenger
Grade
Democracy
4.00
Accessibility
4
Governance
4
Cost
Choice
3
4
Freedom
Voting
4
4
Community
3.67
A
Overall Grade
Education
3.67
Affordability
Equity
Opportunity
4
4
4
Environment
Public Safety
Inclusion
4
4
3
Stability
Funding
Belonging
4
4
3
Notable Information
Candidate Name
Candidate for:
State Senate District 41
Democrat
Challenger
Notable Information
MADVoters Survey Responses
Healthcare: The Big Beautiful Bill is projected to cut $31 billion from Indiana’s Medicaid funding, including almost $13 billion in hospital funding, over the next decade. What will you do if elected to ensure healthcare affordability and access given these changes? (Source: Indiana Hospital Association)
If elected, I will work to protect Medicaid coverage, oppose efforts to shift costs onto working families, and fight for policies that keep rural hospitals and community healthcare providers financially stable so people can get care close to home. I support expanding access to preventative care, mental health services, and affordable prescription drugs. The solution requires a change in priorities, both in Indiana and in Washington.
Economics: AI and data centers are having a huge impact on jobs and communities across the nation, particularly in Indiana. What is Congress’s role in addressing this developing technology? What action will you take to hear and represent the concerns of Hoosiers on this topic?
Economics: Dozens of AI data centers are planning to come to Indiana, drawn by the state’s “business-friendly” reputation. How should Indiana manage these large industrial site proposals and their potential impact on communities? (Source: Citizens Action Coalition)
I support a moratorium on large scale data centers until we have properly assessed the impact these projects have on communities. We should immediately repeal the tax exemptions handed out to the corporations that are seeking to build data centers. My feeling is that the long term benefits of data centers doesn’t match the long term detriment these projects will have on the community, so I generally oppose their construction in our state.
Education: Describe your stance on the Department of Education and its role in education administration, funding, and protections for students with disabilities.
Education: Since 2012, Indiana has spent over $5.5 billion in taxpayer dollars on charter schools and the private school voucher program. If elected, would you support or oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to funding private schools and charter schools? Why or why not? (Source: ICPE)
I strongly oppose Indiana’s voucher program. There may be a very small number of special needs students that have educational requirements which can’t be met in a traditional public school where a voucher would be needed, but generally we should not be subsidizing private school education with public money. The voucher program drains resources from public schools and does not result in better outcomes for students.
Democracy: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge or threat facing our democracy right now? If elected, what will you do to help overcome this challenge or threat?
There are many, but voter suppression is a main concern of mine. Hoosiers face barriers that make participation harder than it should be—from strict voter ID requirements and limited early voting opportunities to confusing registration rules and long lines at polling places. I believe we should be making it easier, not harder, for eligible citizens to vote. If elected, I will support expanding early voting, allowing no-excuse absentee voting, modernizing voter registration with automatic and same-day registration, ensuring polling places are adequately staffed and accessible, and opposing any effort that unfairly disenfranchises voters
Community: Describe your stance on ICE and its role in immigration enforcement and detention.
Community: What role or responsibility do local and state governments have with regards to immigration enforcement?
Immigration enforcement in the responsibility of the federal government. The local and state governments should play a very limited role, if any, and certainly shouldn’t be using local resources on immigration enforcement.