Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, right, talks with Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith at the Kosciusko County GOP’s spring fish fry on Wednesday, April 5, at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said he’s prepared to defend state Senate Enrolled Act 480 against lawsuits.

Rokita commented to InkFreeNews on the issue at the Kosciusko County GOP’s spring fish fry on Wednesday, April 5, at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

Earlier in the day, Gov. Eric Holcomb had signed the law, which prevents doctors from “providing gender transition procedures” to those under 18.

“I think he made a right move,” said Rokita. He mentioned the American Civil Liberties Union had already sued the state regarding the bill “within an hour of that bill being signed into law.”

“I am prepared to defend it,” he said. “By giving genitalia-changing surgeries or hormone blockers or other things to kids who haven’t matured enough to know what they really want in life, we do some very terrible and irreversible damage, and I think the bill that was signed into law and the General Assembly passed was a very reasonable way to address that situation, so like the abortion laws, I’ll look forward to defending this against the ACLU in court.”

Rokita also talked briefly regarding the settlement that his office and those of attorney generals across the U.S. reached with Johnson & Johnson, Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen for their contribution to the national opioid epidemic.

As a result, the state, counties and local governments are getting funds to address opioid abuse locally.

“I think you’re going to see some more settlements (regarding the opioid crisis),” Rokita noted.

He referenced his reelection campaign for 2024.

“I am very, very, proud and happy with the job that the people of Indiana have given me,” he said. “I think I have one of the best jobs in public service and I like what I do, and I just got here … I’m going to use my office to make Hoosiers’ lives better in a very real way and that involves suing and investigating when necessary.”

U.S. House District 3

Also present at Wednesday’s fish fry was Mike Felker, who’s running for the state’s U.S. House of Representatives District 3 seat.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks currently represents the district and announced he won’t be seeking reelection as he’s running for U.S. Senate instead.

Felker, of Warsaw, said he’s running because he doesn’t “think the government has worked for the … people for the last 25 years.”

“You’ve got a government who continues to spend more than it takes in,” he said.

Felker said if elected he’d try to work with fellow members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, by networking with newly elected representatives and then encouraging other members to do the same thing.  He also wants to meet at least a few times a year with state senators and state representatives whose districts fall under District 3 and other Indiana congressional leaders to ensure better communication and problem-solving.

Felker served with the Indiana Army National Guard for 20 years, having two tours in Iraq. He’s worked as a maintenance technician for a local orthopedic company for 17 years.

2023 Election

Fish fry attendees didn’t just include candidates seeking election or reelection for 2024.

Several running for city or town positions this year attended the fry, including both candidates in the May primary for Winona Lake clerk-treasurer, Laurie Renier and Heather James.

“I think we have a great lineup of candidates (for this year),” said Kosciusko GOP Chairman Mike Ragan.

Young Republicans

The new president of the county’s Young Republicans, Joe Sobek, also chatted with InkFreeNews.

He referenced the group’s annual trivia night and mentioned members were to work with the general party on getting more activities organized.

The Kosciusko chapter is working to get officially chartered by the state party, said Sobek.

Those 18 to 40 are welcome to join, with people able to learn more by stopping by the party’s headquarters at 123 W. Center St., Warsaw, or reaching out through the group’s Facebook page.

Mike Felker, right, who’s running for Indiana’s U.S. House District 3 seat, chats with Troy Helser.

Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Laurie Renier, second from left, who’s running for reelection, stands with Cindy Nolton, left, and Kosciusko County Councilwoman Kim Cates, center, Scott Clay, second from right, and Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith.

Heather James, center, who’s seeking to become Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer, poses with Kosciusko County Councilwoman Kim Cates, left, and Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith.

Avis Gunter, Jean Northenor and Ron Truex pose for the camera.

A look at attendees.

Cindy Dobbins, right, who’s running for reelection to her Warsaw City Council at-large seat, stands with Nick King.

Diane Quance, running for another term as Warsaw City Council’s District 5 council member, helped serve drinks at the event.

Warsaw City Councilman At-Large Jack Wilhite, left, and Kosciusko County GOP Treasurer Steve Foster helped serve carryout meals.