WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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By Jasmine Wright
For the 2024 election, Indiana residents will be voting for the next lieutenant governor. Democratic candidate Terry Goodin, who is running on the ticket with gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick, and Republican candidate Micah Beckwith, who is running on the ticket with gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun, agreed to be interviewed. WFHB has split the interview into two parts, edited for the 30-minute shows. Goodin was interviewed in person and Beckwith was available to be interviewed over the phone. Here are some key topics brought up in both interviews and a summary of what each candidate said:
Background and career:
Goodin: Has worked on his family farm all his life and was a public school superintendent for 24 years.
Beckwith: Has worked as a pastor for the past 17 years.
The school system and politics:
Goodin: Believes teachers are trying their best and are undervalued even though they are the most important tool in the school system.
Beckwith: Believes “woke culture” is infiltrating schools across Indiana. Says Critical Race Theory needs to be taken out of Indiana’s school curriculum.
Public schooling and the vouchers program:
Goodin: Wants to restrict the vouchers program, not completely, but more. He says he wants to ensure public schools are being funded properly and private schools who are receiving public funding should follow state guidelines.
Beckwith: Strongly supports the vouchers program. He says it offers more options for students and parents deciding where to send their children. His plan is to expand and strengthen the program.
Women’s rights and abortion:
Goodin: Criticizes policies that restrict women’s reproductive rights and eliminate policies that do so.
Beckwith: Firmly believes life begins at conception and sees abortion as murder. Says he advocates for healthcare freedom and that it includes the health of the baby just as much as the mother.
The 2024 tax plan:
Goodin: Has a $600 million plan to address property taxes, which involves cutting local property taxes and replacing lost resources with state funds. He says he has spoken to both democratic and republican representatives to create their plan.
Beckwith: Will focus on property taxes. He believes the main tax issue is not the lack of money, but rather a spending problem with local governments. He says he has worked with Senator Holdman, Representative JD Prescott, Senator Linda Rogers, and others when configuring their plan.
