Meet the candidates running for U.S. House District 7

Three candidates are running for U.S. House 7th District: incumbent Democrat André Carson, Republican candidate Angela Grabovsky and Libertarian candidate Gavin Maple. 

The U.S.House of Representatives position covers most of Marion County. Carson has held the seat since 2008. 

WFYI sent each of the candidates five questions to help voters learn more ahead of the election on Nov. 8. Their answers are presented in alphabetical order.

Editor’s note: Candidate responses were edited for AP Style and grammar, and any numbers used were checked for accuracy. When a statement required more clarification or could not be independently verified, WFYI reached out to candidates before publication. Those instances, and those candidate responses, are noted throughout in editors’ notes.

André Carson

What do you see as the most pressing issue lawmakers will address in the next two years?

Addressing the cost of living for hardworking, middle-class families will continue to be my priority. From housing costs, to continue reducing inflation, lawmakers have a responsibility to remove financial burdens and make life a little easier for those who might otherwise be living paycheck to paycheck.

Through efforts like the American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law -- which I advocated for as a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee -- Democrats have been able to deliver for communities across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is estimated to add two million jobs each year over the next decade and help American workers build better lives for their families. The types of issues I have championed, and will continue to champion, are squarely focused on the middle class, not special interests.

As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am always thinking about issues of national security that threaten our individual livelihoods and our democracy. As lawmakers, we have a duty to set standards and hold other agencies and elected officials accountable. We are living in a time in which elected officials must make a choice to uphold the constitution and the values of democracy, one in which everyone can participate. No one – including former presidents – are above the law.

U.S. inflation eased in recent months, but it hit a 40-year high of 9.1 percent earlier this year. What action would you propose to lessen the burden of inflation?

This summer, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, taking comprehensive measures to tackle inflation. I was proud to vote for this effort, which reduces the deficit, lowers the cost of health care and prescription drugs, and will create about 9 million new jobs over the next decade.

These efforts to reduce inflation are working, and we are not going to slow our efforts. A global economy is important, but it is also important that we become less dependent on foreign sources of energy – and the whims of leaders like Putin. The Inflation Reduction Act focuses on home-grown, reliable, clean, renewable energy that will provide relief in the form of lower energy costs and new jobs now, and even greater investments in our economy for the future.

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks. What role should the federal government play in deciding abortion law?

The federal government should be protecting every individual’s right to make their own health care decisions. Unfortunately, extreme anti-choice activists have worked to limit access to safe, legal abortions, which will have disastrous consequences, particularly for lower-income women, women of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The fact of the matter is that the majority of Hoosiers and the majority of Americans believe in the right to an abortion. The federal government, or the Supreme Court, should not stand in the way of a decision made between a patient and a doctor.

President Biden’s executive order canceled $10,000 in student debt for low to middle income borrowers. What additional action, if any, would you propose to address student debt?

President Biden’s announcement was a huge step forward in relieving the burden off thousands of families, but there is still work to be done to make higher education a reality for more Americans. This fall, I became a co-sponsor of the Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now (LOAN) Act, which aims to double the Federal Pell Grant, make loans less expensive, improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and address interest rates. Our country benefits from a more educated workforce – but most of all, your economic background should never stop you from shaping your own future. That’s the American dream.

Will you accept the results of the 2022 election, win or lose?

Yes. Of course. 

Angela Grabovsky

What do you see as the most pressing issue lawmakers will address in the next two years?

If Republicans win: The top priorities will be to get the economy back on track, keep our communities safe, and provide new opportunities for our children. The next Congress will need to focus on easing the impact of inflation by bringing down prices of critical goods such as gas and groceries. Also, fixing the economy includes unleashing American energy by reducing regulations that are costing our economy hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

In order to keep our communities safe, we need to properly fund and train our men and women in law enforcement. And we need to improve our education system by removing politics from the classroom and increasing funding for our nation’s most vulnerable school districts.

U.S. inflation eased in recent months, but it hit a 40-year high of 9.1 percent earlier this year. What action would you propose to lessen the burden of inflation?

First, we need to stop the out of control spending. The more the government spends, the higher inflation will be. As a financial advisor, I have the skills and vision to help lead a balanced approach to trimming government spending and reducing our national debt.

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks. What role should the federal government play in deciding abortion law?

The Supreme Court has ruled that the authority on this issue resides with the states, so as long as that is the law of the land, the federal government should leave it to the states and the people.

President Biden’s executive order canceled $10,000 in student debt for low to middle income borrowers. What additional action, if any, would you propose to address student debt?

The decision to cancel student loan debt was, in my opinion, a shortsighted and harmful decision. First, it remains to be seen if the Biden Administration had the legal authority to undergo such an action. Second, debt can’t just be eliminated – the burden is just placed somewhere else. It will likely result in increased taxes or increased borrowing from foreign nations. And third, it sets a bad precedent when it comes to individual responsibility. This action has incentivized poor decision making and financial irresponsibility.

Will you accept the results of the 2022 election, win or lose?

Yes.

Gavin Maple 

[The candidate did not provide a photo.]

What do you see as the most pressing issue lawmakers will address in the next two years?

Government spending is out of control, and it must be stopped. I would also fight to abolish property taxes so the government wouldn't have a way to seize your property.

U.S. inflation eased in recent months, but it hit a 40-year high of 9.1 percent earlier this year. What action would you propose to lessen the burden of inflation?

Stating that inflation has eased in recent months is like looking at a house fire and being happy that the garage is no longer on fire because it burnt to the ground. I would propose that we immediately use all forms of domestic oil, natural gas, and coal. Every prediction of global warming hasn't come true and the politicians that push the agenda are continuously buying up beach front property on shorelines that were supposed to have disappeared years ago.**

**Editors’ note: WFYI asked for clarification about Maple’s views on climate change and assertions about other politicians. Maple did not respond by deadline. For more information on climate change: 

• Do Scientists Agree On Climate Change?
• NPR environment coverage

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks. What role should the federal government play in deciding abortion law?

The federal government doesn't have a place in abortion law.

President Biden’s executive order canceled $10,000 in student debt for low to middle income borrowers. What additional action, if any, would you propose to address student debt?

The government has no place in issuing loans without collateral or using tax payer dollars to abolish student debt. Pay your own debts or find a college you can afford.

Will you accept the results of the 2022 election, win or lose?

Everyone is forced to accept the results. The better question would be, "Do you believe we have fair and honest elections?" No. I don't believe we have fair and honest elections in this country, on every level of government.

How to vote in Indiana:

Vote by Mail Application Deadline: Oct. 27, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. (local prevailing time).
Election Day is Nov. 8, and you can find your polling place at the Indiana Voters Portal.