WARSAW — When voters cast their ballots Nov. 6, residents of Indiana’s District 18 will have two choices for the Indiana House of Representatives — Republican incumbent David Wolkins and Democratic challenger Dee Moore.

Moore, a farmer from North Manchester, campaigns heavily on environmental issues as well as women’s rights

“A strong statement concerning women’s rights needs to be addressed,” Moore said. “Many believe the Kavanaugh Supreme Court nominee could also challenge Roe, making state legislation critical as Indiana’s laws regulating women are often struck down in court,” Moore said, referring to President Donald Trump’s embattled Supreme Court nominee, as well as the law that made abortion legal in the U.S.

Women’s rights are not valued by Wolkins,” Moore said. “Being a woman and a mother, I know the indescribable joy of bringing forth life. I totally get that. Aborting either of my children would have been incomprehensible.

“But also being a woman, I have experienced assault and rape as far too many women have.  I’ve heard the ‘God’s will’ explanation and the explanation that women somehow cause that to happen. No, not when you’re 15 and your teacher is a serial rapist.”

Moore is also an advocate for water quality improvement.

“Bottled water purchases demonstrate mistrust of our water supply,” she said. “Wolkins has stated that our water is fine and needs no oversight. His law makes IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) no more stringent than the EPA, meaning as our national EPA is gutted, so is our Indiana water protections.”

Wolkins said getting elected would mean he would continue to strive for a leaner government.

“I have been involved in the Select Committee on Government Reduction since its inception and am proud of the committees, rules and regulations we have done away with,” said Wolkins. “I’ve always strived for a lean, balanced state budget and anything that will make our government more efficient. I am proud of having been a small part, over the years, of a legislature that was named the number one Best State Legislature by U.S. News and World Report for 2017. As chair of the Environmental Committee I have worked to allow common sense environmental rules that protect the environment, but don’t ruin our economy.”

Wolkins also touted bi-partisanship.

“Through my many years of serving, I have made many friends in both the Republican and Democrat parties,” he said. “I’ve never gotten involved in the purely political disputes, thus I have the respect of my colleagues and have been able to accomplish my goals, regardless of which party is in power.”

Wolkins served on the Winona Lake Town Board for 17 years and has held his current position with the state legislature for 30 years.