State Rep. Ragen Hatcher showcased her legislative experience while challenger Heather McCarthy touted her community connections in Thursday’s District 3 Indiana House of Representatives debate at the Gary Public Library.
The two Gary attorneys face each other in the May 7 Democratic primary.
Hatcher, daughter of former Gary mayor Richard G. Hatcher, has served in the General Assembly since 2019. Before that, she was an at-large member of the Gary City Council and made an unsuccessful run in the 2012 Gary mayoral primary.
Attorney Heather McCarthy answers a question during a debate between herself and State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
McCarthy is a political newcomer who serves as Hobart city attorney. She said she’s done legal work for the city of Gary and other municipalities.
Before she got her law degree, McCarthy said she had a long career in mental health advocacy and serves on the board of directors for the Methodist Hospitals and is president of its foundation.
For most of the issues raised, Hatcher offered context on how bills wound through the General Assembly, dominated by GOP supermajorities in both chambers.
Susan Duncan keeps track of the time during a debate between State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, and Heather McCarthy, a Gary-based attorney. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
“We play defense a lot,” said Hatcher, describing the role of Democrats. “Much of the legislation that comes through may have a negative impact on Northwest Indiana, but it’s good for them,” she said of GOP lawmakers.
She referenced the new law that bans municipalities from suing gunmakers, effectively killing Gary’s long-standing lawsuit against several gun manufacturers that’s underway in Lake Superior Court. Gary was the lone Indiana city suing gunmakers.
Despite opposition from Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and others, the measure passed easily. The lawsuit’s future is now in doubt.
Tom Maloney, the moderator from Lakeshore Public Media, listens during a debate between State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, and Heather McCarthy, a Gary-based attorney. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
Hatcher said Democrats can sometimes convince GOP lawmakers to change their minds.
She said the original version of a GOP bill that dictated the makeup of the Gary School Board allowed the state secretary of education to appoint members from outside of Gary. A successful Hatcher amendment called for the members to all reside in Gary.
“We try to make amendments and change it so we can all have a win. It takes reaching across the aisle,” Hatcher said.
State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, answers a question during a debate between herself and Heather McCarthy, a Gary-based attorney. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
McCarthy said work done at the legislature was important, but she stressed her pledge and willingness to work with elected officials in District 3 that spans Gary, Hobart, Lake Station and New Chicago.
McCarthy had a showing of support from officials in Hobart, Lake Station and New Chicago in the audience, while Hatcher maintained support from Gary officials.
District 3 has long been a Gary stronghold.
Heather McCarthy answers a question during a debate between herself and State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
McCarthy promised to hold roundtable talks in the communities, mentioning a major Gary transit-oriented development project in Gary and projects in Hobart.
“That’s why it’s so important for a state representative to have the pulse of what’s going on… District 3 is such a diverse community with so many different challenges. I truly believe in being inclusive and that all voices should be heard.”
Hatcher said over her past six years in the General Assembly she worked solely with elected officials. “Our main concerns come from residents, small businesses and community leaders.”
A small crowd listens to the debate between State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, and Heather McCarthy, a Gary-based attorney. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
She said local lawmakers hold community meetings before, during and after the legislative session.
Both candidates held similar education views, opposing a new law that calls for the retention of 3rd graders who don’t pass the state’s reading assessment. They both voiced support for mandatory kindergarten and expanding early childhood education. Both called for reproductive freedom for women in the wake of Indiana’s abortion ban.
Hatcher and McCarthy said they hoped a new Lake County convention center would be located in District 3, but neither offered support for a specific site.
State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, answers a question during a debate between herself and Heather McCarthy, a Gary-based attorney. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post-Tribune)
Both candidates backed the legalization of medicinal marijuana. Hatcher said she wrote an unsuccessful bill calling for a pilot program for medicinal marijuana, similar to one in Illinois.
“What we found is farmers are very much in favor,” said Hatcher. “They see their counterparts doing it,” referencing the growing of marijuana plants.
She said she also received a positive response from military veterans.
Heather McCarthy answers a question during a debate between State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, and Heather McCarthy, a Gary-based attorney. The debate took place at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It was sponsored by Lakeshore Public Media, the Calumet Area League of Women Voters and Rise NWI on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (John Smierciak/for the Post Tribune)
“It’s time for Indiana to catch up with Michigan, and Illinois and at least begin the process of legalizing…” Hatcher said.
McCarthy said if marijuana is legalized, it will be important to keep it out of the hands of children.
“The penalties… it’s maddening to hear we have people incarcerated. The law should be revisited, regardless of what the state decides to do,” she said.
Concerning property taxes, Hatcher said local school districts would be less reliant on holding referendums to increase taxes if big industries like U.S. Steel paid their fair share.
A state law allows U.S. Steel and other large Northwest Indiana industries to self-assess their properties and Hatcher said communities can’t appeal.
“The legislation must change,” said Hatcher. “We must work on that to make sure U.S. Steel pays its fair share to Gary.”
Hatcher and McCarthy were both leery of more industry coming to District 3.
“We’re seeing large conglomerates buying land,” said McCarthy who added communities need to share information about the buyers.
“We need to be selective on the groups we allow in. We have enough industry in our region. We need to develop our businesses, small and large.”
Hatcher said the Northwest Indiana legislative delegation opposes new industry.
She said the Indiana Department of Environmental Management was soft on compliance and lawmakers took note of it when IDEM approved an air pollution permit for California-based Fulcrum Bioenergy to build a waste-to-fuel plant in Gary’s Buffington Harbor.
Fulcrum’s plans stalled as it struggles with financing, and a Gary environmental advocacy group has challenged the permit award.
No Republicans filed to run in the District 3 race.
Lakeshore Public Media, Rise NWI, and the Calumet Chapter of the League of Women Voters sponsored the debate.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune
