Editor’s note: Libertarian Tonya Millis is one of three candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, District 9, which represents Johnson County, Bloomington and much of southern Indiana. See Where They Stand interviews with Incumbent Trey Hollingsworth (R-Indiana) and Democrat Andy Ruff as well, and be sure to visit dailyjournal.net for videos of these interviews. This Q&A includes answers by Millis in her own words.
Why are you seeking election?
For decades now, I’ve been watching our freedoms and liberties slowly whittled away. A lot of people I’ve talked to have noticed the “We the People” independence is fading. I’m a real estate broker in a small town, and I’m 59 pushing 60, so this is not a career move. I like what I do. I felt compelled to stand up and serve because Congress is a mess. You have two parties that just take turns being in power, and there are just two sides to the same coin.
We need to — across the country — elect more Independents and Libertarians, and it won’t take much, just a small group of us to stop one of the two parties from having the majority.
What qualifications make you a good fit for this office?
As a real estate broker, I work for both buyers and sellers doing contract deals, multitasking. I worked five years in the Brown County High School nurse’s office, and before that I worked in insurance. I’ve got a wide spectrum, and like I said, I’m pushing 60 years old, so I have a lifetime of experience. I have more experience in my pinky finger than a lot of politicians have in their whole body. I’ve never run for office before, but our founding fathers wanted members of the community to take turns and stand up and serve. They did not want career politicians.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
There’s too many rules, regulations and runaway debt. Before COVID-19, our country was $23 trillion in debt, and for most people that’s unimaginable. This debt, because people don’t get the bill in their mailbox, they don’t think about it. But it’s not some obscure entity in outer space. It’s your debt, your money … If we don’t do something quick, and roll it back, the value of the dollar is going to fall.
Bringing it home at the state level. This is a good example of state politics — even though I’m running for federal office — just so people can understand. Recently, the state passed a law that said you can’t use your cell phone while driving and you have to be hands-free, which is kind of ridiculous. Now they’re going to say you have to be hands free of everything, like you can’t drink a Coke or eat while you’re driving, so that’s next. Freedoms and liberties being taken away.
What are the biggest issues facing Indiana and the country today?
We did have the COVID-19 hit us hard and heavy during the spring, and we’re still reeling from that. Everybody has been obliging with the recommendations. Most of the people I know are being as safe as possible as patrons and parents and students. The (Centers for Disease Control) dropped the ball, which should have been prepared for a pandemic. We need to do something about that, (possibly) make it streamlined … They are outdated and overfunded.
What are your thoughts on the federal government response to the coronavirus pandemic?
A lot of that goes state by state and population. Some states are doing better than others. Usually, when Congress gets involved, they have a tendency to muck it up. I think Congress needs to do some of what they have been doing, with hearings, with doctors and scientists to inform the public. But the state governors are really responsible for their own states.
How would you address the economic impact caused by the pandemic?
I think Congress has done all they are going to do. I think by the time I’d get elected and sworn in, all the COVID issues will be behind us. We’ll still have to be safe. I’m for free-market principles, and I think many of our small businesses that were able to hold out got small business loans. But many of them went bankrupt. It’s sad. The ones that survived are having lines out the door for people to go in and eat. Eventually, we’ll get back on track.
Do you think systemic racism exists. If so, what steps should be taken to address it?
Modern technology — and I’m talking about your cell phones with your videos on them — has shined a light on the wrongdoings that have been going on for hundreds of years. Because of modern technology, we the people are starting to see the brutality, the beatings, the horrific physical violence that has been done. Because of that, our officials are now working with local leaders and community leaders together to try to weed out racism.
And that is not just in the police force; (it is) all across the board in organizations and corporations. You have a lot of good people who are not prejudice or racist, but there are a lot of bad apples. And it’s unfortunate when the bad apples work in community service and the police force. That needs to stop. We need to weed out racism. And I think in time it’s going to happen.
What would you do to address rising health care costs?
I believe in free market principles, and the federal government has interfered with that. They made it so there’s not real competition, and the cost if more expensive. I do think that over decades, employers have gotten better with benefits they offer workers. But if you don’t have a job, and you don’t qualify for Medicaid, then you’re in trouble if you get injured. Now there are bigger groups that are coming together to provide insurance to individuals. We do need to help the people who can’t help themselves, like the elderly and the disabled.
What is something you think Congress should do better?
We need more diversity in Congress as far as political parties. What we need is more independents and third parties in there. The duopoly … I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but that is the biggest problem. Once you get the diversity of minds, independent thinkers, then our country would be better off.
The Millis File
Name: Tonya Millis
Party: Libertarian
Residence: Lawrence County, Indiana
Family: Spouse, Doug Millis; One son and seven grandchildren.
Occupation: Real estate broker
Education: Real estate school; licensed broker in Indiana
Political Experience: None
Memberships: National Association of REALTORS; Indiana Association of REALTORS; Bedford Board of REALTORS; White River Humane Society.
