The three candidates running for the 1st Congressional District will participate in a debate Tuesday on Lakeshore PBS and Lakeshore Public Radio.
Democratic nominee Frank Mrvan, Republican nominee Mark Leyva and Libertarian nominee Edward Mike Strauss will debate at 6 p.m. Tuesday, moderated by Lakeshore Public Radio’s Tom Maloney, according to a release from Lakeshore Public Media.
The candidates are running to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, who announced in November that he would not seek reelection after 35 years in Congress. Following the announcement, 20 candidates – 14 Democrats and six Republicans – filed to run for the seat, which has been held by a Democrat since 1931, in the primary election.
“Congressman Visclosky helped shape Northwest Indiana into what it is today. All three candidates would have some very large shoes to fill,” Maloney said. “It’s incredibly important for voters to be informed before heading to the poll.”
Mrvan previously told the Post-Tribune that winning his party’s nomination “feels like it is a phenomenal opportunity to be able to contribute,” especially considering Congress will have to address a lot of issues amid and following the COVD-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic, the work stoppages, the ability to get us back to work, the ability to be able to manage what we have going on, are all things that I feel that I am prepared for,” Mrvan previously said.
Leyva told the Post-Tribune previously it is an honor that voters took the time to cast a ballot and chose him from a group of candidates. Leyva said he has no political experience, but he will follow the Constitution as a framework during his term, if elected in November.
“I represent the people and hopefully all the issues they are concerned about,” Leyva previously said.
Strauss — who in July was punched in the face while pinned on the sidewalk by an East Chicago police officer during an arrest and subsequently charged with intimidation, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and battering a law enforcement officer — told the Post-Tribune previously that he will fight for everyone’s rights.
“I have chosen to continue the fight to help protect and preserve those rights,” Strauss said in a Facebook post promoting the debate.
Porter County Republican Party Chairman Michael Simpson said he hopes the candidates will address their economic and public safety and security plans. He said he hopes the candidates engage in the discussion civilly and professionally.
Lake County Democratic Party Chairman James Wieser said Mrvan is a “thoughtful and civil person who will engage in a reasonable and legitimate debate” who won’t shout or speak over others but be forceful on the issues.
“I feel very confident … (the debate) will be handled with decorum,” Wieser said. “I think it will be a debate that legitimately focuses on the issues.”
Lakeshore PBS broadcasts its main channel over the air on Channel 56, on Comcast on 17 or 21 (HD Channel 239), on Dish Network HD Channel 6320, AT&T U-verse HD Channel 1056 and DirecTV on Channel 56 and online at lakeshorepbs.org. Lakeshore Public Radio can be heard on 89.1 FM and streaming online at lakeshorepublicradio.org.
