The three candidates seeking Indiana’s 6th Congressional District in the upcoming election shared their views on the energy transition, the Israel-Palestine conflict and gun violence.
The seat is open this year after three-term incumbent Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., decided against seeking reelection.
Candidates seeking the seat in the Nov. 5 election are Libertarian nominee James Sceniak, Republican nominee Jefferson Shreve and Democratic nominee Cinde Wirth.
The 6th District includes all of Johnson County, as well as all or part of Fayette, Hancock, Henry, Bartholomew, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Union and Wayne counties, and the southern townships in Marion County.
This is the second installment of a two-part series by The (Columbus) Republic on the 6th District candidates and their views on key national and global issues. The previous story appeared in the Wednesday Daily Journal.
The Daily Journal will publish its own series closer to the election.
Here are the candidates’ thoughts on the energy transition, gun violence and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Q: Do you believe that climate change is real and primarily caused by humans burning fossil fuels? If so, what would be your approach to accelerating the adoption of renewable energy while ensuring that consumers and workers in the 6th District benefit from the shift to clean energy?
Sceniak: Climate change is an important issue that will be a continuing theme for us and for future generations. Studies have shown that we can reduce waste, use nuclear energy and reduce our carbon footprint. I believe strongly in innovation. Americans are incredible at troubleshooting and finding solutions. As we continue to see climate change, our desire to reduce the effects for future generations will increase. Americans will innovate and bring cleaner energy and preserve America for our children and grandchildren.
Shreve: We must be good stewards of our environment. But I am not in favor of the Green New Deal. We need to lower energy costs and boost American energy independence. Wind and solar power production continue to grow, but renewables account for less than 10% of our energy in Indiana. I will support policies to encourage greater domestic production.
Wirth: Climate change is real and there is robust scientific evidence linking climate change and increase in greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere directly to the burning of fossil fuels. The significant and growing increase in global temperature has resulted in the 10 hottest years on record being the last 10 years. Indiana experiences extreme weather events and destructive storms, droughts, flash flooding events, record heat waves that are increasing in frequency and double the number of air quality alert days from 2022 to 2023. Average wages for renewable clean energy jobs are reportedly 25% higher than national average wage jobs and increases in technology make clean and renewable energy the fastest growing job market, outpacing fossil fuel employment more than two-fold. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is a bipartisan plan to help make clean energy better and cheaper by encouraging new ideas and competition in clean energy. I will support legislation like this since it not only encourages the transition off fossil fuels by reducing pollution and creating jobs. It also includes giving money back to families from the fees collected from companies that pollute the air so that everyone can benefit from cleaner energy and a better environment.
Q: What should be the U.S. government’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict? Do you support a two-state solution? Why or why not?
Sceniak: Our intervention with Israel and Palestine should be one that seeks a peaceful resolution between the two countries. Minimizing the casualties on both sides. War is ugly, it kills children, destroys hospitals and leaves chaos and uncertainty behind. As with all foreign conflicts, we as Americans should be a catalyst for promoting peace with economic pressure to expedite the process.
Shreve: Israel has a right to defend itself and to eliminate Hamas. The U.S. should continue to support Israel and provide aid, while empowering Israel to fight their war on its terms. The U.S. must continue working to help secure an agreement that returns all Israeli and American hostages. We must also stand with Israel against a nuclear-weaponized Iran and work to prevent regional aggression. Iran is funding and directing terrorist proxy groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. These are the same groups that have taken American hostages and committed violence against Americans and our military in Jordan and in international waters. Israel is arguably our most important ally — and the only longstanding democracy in the Middle East.
Wirth: Our role in the Israel-Palestine conflict should be to de-escalate the situation and work toward an immediate cease-fire and swift release of all hostages in the region. We should work for peaceful solutions so that no further innocent lives are lost and ensure that humanitarian aid is given appropriately. A two-state solution would recognize and support persons in both Israel and Palestine to peacefully live side-by-side. All people in both Israel and Palestine deserve to live in peace and without fear of terrorism.
Q: Should the federal government play a role in reducing gun violence? Why or why not? If so, what policies would you support to reduce gun violence?
Sceniak: “Shall not be infringed” is self-explanatory. I will always support the civil rights of people to defend their family, person and property. Creating better access to mental health resources should be a starting point. The more we take care of our neighbors through these services, the more we will address the heart of these issues. When we create a culture of mentally healthy and happy individuals who have a future to look forward to, violence will decrease, including those violent acts that are not committed with a gun.
Shreve: The federal government should support our law enforcement agencies in going after violent criminals and getting them off the streets. And our prosecutors and judges must do their jobs, too. They must apply our laws consistently.
Wirth: Common-sense reforms at the federal level will help keep all families, in Indiana and across the nation, safer from gun violence. The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act closed the loopholes on gun sales to those who seek to commit violence and on the sale of guns without a proper background check. We know that firearms kill over 120 people every day and are the leading cause of death in children and teens in the United States. Expanding background checks on all firearm sales by unlicensed sellers, such as gun sales at gun shows and online gun sales, we can ensure that guns are in the right hands — in the hands of responsible, trained individuals.
James Sceniak
Party: Libertarian
Age: 35
City of residence: Greenwood
Previous elected offices held: None
Education: Bachelor’s degree in human services from Bethel University
Jefferson Shreve
Party: Republican
Age: 57
City of residence: Perry Township, Indianapolis
Previous elected offices held: Indianapolis City-County Councilor, 2013-2019
Education background: Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, master’s degree from University of London, MBA from Purdue University
Cinde Wirth
Party: Democratic
Age: 55
City of residence: Columbus
Previous elected offices held: None
Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish from the University of Evansville, master’s degree in anthropology/archaeology from Indiana University, Ph.D. candidate in educational policy studies at Ball State University, completed Women’s Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University
By Andy East — The (Columbus) Republic is a sister newspaper to the Daily Journal.
