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Healthcare
4.00
Economics
3.67
Candidate Name
Kim Townsend
District
State House District 36
Values
Grade
Values
Party
Democrat
Experience
Challenger
Grade
Democracy
4.00
Accessibility
4
Governance
4
Cost
Choice
4
X
Freedom
Voting
4
4
Community
4
A
Overall Grade
Education
3.67
Affordability
Equity
Opportunity
3
4
4
Environment
Public Safety
Inclusion
X
4
4
Stability
Funding
Belonging
4
3
4
Notable Information
Candidate Name
Candidate for:
State House District 36
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)
As a leader of a housing agency, I am someone who works every day with seniors, disabled citizens, veterans and working families. Many are already struggling to make ends meet and I have seen, firsthand, what happens when healthcare becomes unaffordable or unavailable. When people can't access care, they become vulnerable to losing their jobs, housing and credit which greatly impacts their financial stability. If elected, I will fight to protect access to quality, affordable healthcare by supporting our local hospitals and healthcare providers, expanding access to preventative and mental health services, and opposing policies that shift the financial burden onto families. I have and still work directly with healthcare providers that have been forced to cut critical staffing and services due to many decisions that have been made without regard for those that need it the most. I will also work across the aisle to identify solutions that will help alleviate the impact of federal funding cuts. As a breast cancer survivor for many years that had to declare bankruptcy over medical bills, I know that healthcare is not a luxury but a necessity and every Hoosier deserves access to the care they need.
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 economic development and I currently serve on the board for the Madison County Corporation for Economic Development. I have openly opposed these measures that are not favored nor welcomed by the citizens. I stand with the citizens who have raised legitimate concerns about large AI data centers and battery fields and their impact on our electrical grid, water resources, farmland, property values and quality of life. These projects should never be rushed through without public input and the data needs to be communicated effectively to the citizens. They need to know their land, resources and voices matter at the end of the day.
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, along with many working families, believe our public schools should be the state's top priority because they educate the vast majority of Indiana's children and serve every student who walks through their doors. I know families want options when it comes to educating their children and they want to have a say in how their tax dollars are being used. However, I do not support diverting taxpayer dollars away from public schools in a way that weakens their ability to provide a high-quality education. I will advocate for fully funding our public schools, supporting our educators with a competitive wage and classroom resources and ensuring every child, regardless of their families economic status, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
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?
In my opinion, one of the greatest threats to our democracy is the rolling back of protections established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including; voter suppression, intimidation and gerrymandering that weakens fair representation. Every eligible voter deserves an equal voice, regardless of race, income, or zip code. Our government works best when every voice is heard and every vote counts. I will fight at the statehouse to oppose every single effort that makes it hard for all eligible Hoosiers to cast their vote. This issue was the turning point that led me to run for the Indiana House. When I watched our current representative support redistricting efforts that I believe undermined fair representation, I knew our community deserved a different kind of leadership...one that puts people ahead of politics and special interests. That's the representative I intend to be.
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?
As the CEO of a public housing authority, I was required to implement federal housing policies, including those affecting undocumented immigrants. I also joined other housing leaders in advocating against policies that placed local housing providers in the middle of federal immigration enforcement. I believe the federal government is responsible for creating and enforcing our nation's immigration laws. That responsibility should not be shifted to state and local governments or local law enforcement. Any enforcement must respect due process, protect civil rights and avoid discriminatory practices. We can have secure borders and uphold the rule of law while treating every person with dignity and ensuring families are not unfairly targeted.