State Representative Candidates David Kolbe, Curt Nisly and Michael Stinfer. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

One of the most highly contested races in the state Nov. 4 will be that of state representative for District 22. All three candidates were present at the Kosciusko Commerce Candidate Forum Monday evening, in Warsaw.

This group of men – David Kolbe, Democrat; Curt Nisly, Republican; and Michael Stinfer,Independent – closed the evening’s event with responses to a set of questions.

Questions for the three focused on who should set the curriculum for schools and how to get other legislators to see it their way; individual views of Indiana’s right to work; views on legislation allowing gun owners to keep guns locked in their cars on school property and the greatest challenge for the district and how they would work to solve it.

All three candidates agreed local control in education is best. Kolbe noted schools are suffering severely and it is not fair to the kids. He added he will work with the agenda set out by Glenda Ritz, state superintendent of schools. Nisly stated he feels local schools know what is best and is a supporter of local control of education. It’s a no brainer, according to Stinfer local control is the best way to go but that the community needs to help teach the discipline stating love your neighbor as your self, a very simple process.

Kolbe explained the right to work law noting it is unfair to the unions to have to provide a free ride to employees of a business without paying for dues, adding history has proven the right to work law is not effective. Kolbe additionally does not believe it is a good idea of allowing gun owners to keep guns locked in vehicles on school property, yet individuals have to be reasonable on how to deal with guns.

Education and local funding are challenges Kolbe sees, with encouraging jobs from the bottom up and a well paid workforce.

Nisly summed up the right to work stating he refuses to think Democrats are entitled to every union vote, noting no one should be required to pay to have a job and the law is good for the state. Yet he noted on the flip side involuntary servitude is not favored. Nisly was brief in his remarks regarding gun laws, noting he absolutely is in favor and supports the bill.

Looking at the greatest challenge for the district, Nisly noted it is keeping industry alive in the county to keep businesses from going overseas and the need to pick up new ways to train the workforce. He referred to Ivy Tech and Grace College’s efforts to provide education and training for that workforce.

Stinfer noted the right to work bill will possibly be the most significant piece of legislature ever passed. He noted it gives employees a voice and a choice, adding he believes sometimes corporations overstep boundaries noting the right to fire an employee without concrete evidence. He asked the audience if anyone knew what it is like to be in a gun fight and noted he supported the constitution and the Second Amendment, but feels education should be a main concern and could not believe that discussion was brought to the table.

For Stinfer, getting back to the basics is the biggest challenge and to forgo the political titles, instead be called Hoosiers and work as a team for the Indiana Hoosier agenda, rising divorce rates affecting education of kids was also noted.

See related article on County Candidate Races