Two candidates who want to replace a local state lawmaker want the state legislature to focus on ways to help Hoosiers.
Democrat Sean Gorman and Republican Jack Sandlin are both running for the State Senate District 36 seat, which represents parts of Marion County and White River Township in Johnson County. Gorman won the Democrat nomination after a close race in the primary, which ended with a recount.
Whoever wins will replace State Sen. Brent Waltz, who did not seek re-election to a fourth term in the legislature and instead sought a Congressional seat in the primary election this year.
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Waltz was defeated by Republican Trey Hollingsworth.
The winner of the state race will join the state legislature next session for a four-year term, making decisions about the state’s budget and proposing and voting on legislation that would impact the entire state.
Both candidates said they want the state legislature to focus on helping Hoosiers.
Sandlin, a former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigator who now runs a fraud investigation business, wants to find ways to help local governments with funding problems, he said.
He has been in touch with Greenwood officials, who have been seeking permission to create a local food and beverage tax that would help pay for public safety costs. In the next session, legislators might be able to look at some options that would provide more funding to local governments, such as for public safety costs, he said.
“You can make cuts, but when it starts to impact public safety, that is an issue,” Sandlin said.
Gorman, who works for the Indiana Department of Child Services, wants state lawmakers to focus on education issues impacting multiple communities, including Johnson County. Across the state, schools are seeing a backsliding in funding, while also facing a looming teacher shortage, he said.
At the same time, state officials want to expand preschool options, but funding and teacher shortage issues must be addressed first, and should have already been addressed, Gorman said.
That’s why state lawmakers need to take their focus off socially divisive issues, while still making sure Indiana is a welcoming place for all people, he said.
“We need to make sure Indiana is welcoming to all people, an attractive place for employers to locate,” Gorman said.
Both candidates cited their past experience as why they are the best person for the job.
Gorman said he has worked for state government for 11 years and under multiple governors, but hasn’t run for office before, and doesn’t bring any political baggage. He also brings a new perspective to the legislature, he said.
Sandlin said his experience in law enforcement, the military and local government will help him in the legislature. He also hopes to start discussions amongst lawmakers about the impacts of drug abuse, from what he has seen in law enforcement, he said.
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Name: Sean Gorman
Party: Democrat
Residence: Indianapolis
Family: Wife, Trish; 4 children ages 9 through 18
Work: Works for the Indiana Department of Child Services on policy and legal guidance to prosecutors, clerks and courts in regards to child support
Education: Bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University, law degree
Past political experience: None
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Name: Jack Sandlin
Party: Republican
Residence: Indianapolis
Family: Wife, Lydia
Work: Owns a small business doing fraud investigations for businesses, people and law firms, formerly worked in investigations for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Education: MBA from Indiana Wesleyan, bachelor’s degree in business from University of Indianapolis, certified fraud examiner, Greenwood Community High School graduate
Past political experience: Perry Township trustee two terms, in sixth year on Indianapolis city county council
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State Senate District 36
Represents: Parts of Marion County and White River Township in Johnson County
Term: 2 years
Duties: Approve state budget, propose and approve legislation impacting the state of Indiana
Pay: Base salary of $24,140, plus a per diem of $159 a day during the legislative session
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