The two Democrats vying for the District 3 State Senate seat shared similar policy views, while offering insight in how they could be successful, despite a super-majority GOP Senate chamber during a debate Thursday at Merrillville’s Dean and Barbara White Community Center.
Both Democrats are relatively new to the legislature. State Sen. David Vinzant, of Hobart, served in the past session, while opponent Gary councilman Mark Spencer would be a newcomer.
The District 3 seat has long been held by a Gary Democrat, most notably Earline Rogers who served 26 years.
State Senator Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, speaks during the District 3 House primary debate against Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer on April 4, 2024, in Merrillville. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune)
The district includes parts of Gary, Hobart, Merrillville, New Chicago and Lake Station.
Vinzant, a former Hobart city councilman, upset the Gary stranglehold in January when he edged Spencer by two votes in a Democratic caucus.
This time, voters will decide the winner.
Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer speaks during the District 3 House primary debate against State Senator Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart in Merrillville on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Vinzant, a Hobart businessman who spent 16 years on the Hobart City Council, is serving out the final months of former Sen. Eddie Melton’s term. Melton became Gary mayor Jan. 1.
In his 10-week stint in the Senate, Vinzant said he quickly learned how to gain GOP support.
“Don’t think you can be successful just saying ‘this is what I want’,” said Vinzant. “You say ‘this is a problem I have’ … Some Republicans would stop and listen and say ‘I might have that problem, too.’ So it’s not just a Northwest Indiana problem.”
Audience members listen during a debate between State Senator Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, and Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Vinzant said he wasn’t successful in getting any of his legislation passed, but parts of one bill were amended into a House bill that passed.
Spencer, a teacher and director of Performing Arts and the West Side Theatre Guild at the Gary Community School Corp., said he would use diplomacy to support his legislation.
“I’ve dealt with all kinds of personalities from kids to parents,” Spencer said. “It takes an effort to get anything passed. Tone is important. We have to do it in such a way that is convincing, with dignity.”
Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer speaks during the District 3 House primary debate against State Senator Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart in Merrillville on April 4, 2024. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Spencer and Vinzant said education is a top priority.
Spencer called it the foundation for society, saying teachers need classroom infrastructure that’s current and resources to function.
Vinzant said teachers should get more money.
State Senator Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, speaks during the District 3 House primary debate against Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer on April 4, 2024, in Merrillville. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune)
“It’s not adequate with the way it’s working. Funding that works in one district might not work in another,” he said. “The movement toward charter schools is doing nothing but destroy our public schools.”
Charter schools are also considered public schools by state law. Vinzant referred to traditional public schools.
Both men criticized a GOP-backed new state law that holds back third-graders who don’t pass the state IREAD assessment.
Audience members listen during a debate between State Senator Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, and Gary City Councilman Mark Spencer on April 4, 2024. (Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune)
“When I saw it, I gulped,” said Spencer. “I deal with children on a regular basis,” he said, citing the social and economic challenges faced by Black students in his district.
“To add another layer to hold a child back… I don’t agree with it. There are practices in place, apply it,” he said.
Vinzant said Republicans proposed the legislation as their way to fix the problem. “There is a problem, but just simply to say we’ll hold this child back and put them through whatever system failed them the first time doesn’t work.”
He said the state should make sure districts have extra help to work with struggling students.
Both men also cited initiatives they would champion, if elected.
Vinzant said he would propose legislation to prevent cities, towns and schools from losing money when there’s a successful tax appeal.
Vinzant worked with lawmakers last year to find a solution after the state Supreme Court ruled Hobart and the Merrillville schools had to repay millions in property taxes to Southlake Mall after it won a tax appeal.
A new law allowed the state treasurer to use Rainy Day Fund money to provide a multi-million interest-free loan to Hobart.
Spencer, who said he grew up in a single-parent home in Gary, voiced concern for mental health disparities.
“We need to de-stigmatize it and have legislation in place to make sure they’re not ostracizing people. We need to improve community health centers.”
While they wouldn’t have a direct vote as lawmakers, both candidates said they favor a Lake County convention center site near the Hard Rock Casino in Gary.
An updated market study recently ranked the Hard Rock site second in its analysis behind Hobart’s Patriot Park at 7800 Mississippi St. It cited Patriot Park’s existing infrastructure.
“I believe tens of thousands of cars going down I-80/94 by the No. 1 performing casino in the state indicates it’s fertile ground for development,” said Spencer.
He said whatever site is chosen by the Lake County Commissioners he would support.
Vinzant noted four of the five sites in the market survey were in District 3. He said location was key, but the management team and the developer’s track record will be critical.
“I think the casino site seems to be in first place in my way of thinking,” said Vinzant.
The Democratic winner in the May 7 primary will face either Republican Maya Angelou Brown or Will Miller in the general election Nov. 5.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
