Defining the difference in District 30
Williams says she is ‘the polar opposite’ of Karickhoff on issues
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There is no definitive way to govern. Each leader or representative brings something unique to the table, with differing views and experiences. Robin Williams is confident that the change she represents will be beneficial to the state if she is elected to the Indiana House District 30 seat.
Williams, a Democrat, is running against Mike Karickhoff for the state representative post, and she believes voters will have no difficulty differentiating between them.
“I consider myself the polar opposite of Mike,” said Williams. “My concern is that people retain their constitutional rights. I don’t know him. I’ve not been around him. Mike has done a lot of good in this community, but when you look at his voting record, just in this year alone, there is a problem.
“In 2011, he repealed funding for Planned Parenthood. It all kind of starts there. Then, on a key vote establishing the definition of rape, he refused to vote on the legislation. However, this year he voted for an abortion ban with the exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the mother. But he will not define what is rape. There is a disconnect with his voting record.”
Women’s issues are central to Williams’ campaign, and abortion rights are foremost among them. She strongly opposes the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and return the matter to the states. She also opposes the abortion ban passed by the Indiana legislature that currently is held up by an injunction in the courts.
“The injunction will not last much longer,” said Williams. “When the state legislature re-convenes in January, that is when the state supreme court will hear the case. Who knows what will happen? We need to be poised and ready to fight it. Whether I am the state representative or not, I will be in that fight. I can have a greater impact as a state representative. I can work with my colleagues to see that this is an injurious thing for the women in our state.”
Williams believes that the heavily gerrymandered re-drawing of District 30 brings to light another problem that residents of the district may face: access to healthcare.
“This district keeps getting weirder every time they redraw it,” said Williams. “The district now encompasses Greentown and Swayzee and Sweetzer. There are a lot of rural portions in it. Yet one-third of our state – mostly in rural communities -- have no access to OB/GYN services. That has to change. Increasing healthcare for women, really healthcare in general, is my concern.
“Just because an area is rural doesn’t mean they don’t deserve access to healthcare. This is important, especially if the state decides women have to have forced births. Where are they going to have them if they are in a rural community?
“Mike touted the expansion of telehealth, but when was the last time anyone wanted to give birth via telehealth? It doesn’t really work, especially if there are complications. When you consider our state’s infant mortality rate being the third highest in the country, we need adequate healthcare. It is imperative.”
Firearms are another area where Williams believes she differs from Karickhoff. She pointed to his voting record as evidence that his positions work against the safety of the community, in her view.
“In 2014, he voted to authorize the carrying of concealed guns on school property; long before we got to permitless carry,” said Williams. “As we know, that’s a problem now. He voted for the permitless carry of firearms this year.
“When the superintendent of the state police recommends that people not vote for permitless carry, but they do it anyway, that’s a problem. The superintendent knew what the repercussions for police officers would be across the state. And my feeling is that gun violence has spiked in Indiana since that legislation took effect.”
“I think everyone should be allowed to carry a gun, but I think there should be a vetting process to do so. We have to go through a process to get a driver’s license. Why don’t we have to go through a process to carry a gun?”
Williams is also a strong advocate for the veterans community. She believes Indiana hasn’t done enough to help military members as they transition back to civilian life.
“Of course, veterans are always big on my list,” said Williams. “There are veterans’ programs, but there is not enough, particularly when it comes to mental health. It’s not about generating money for organizations that want the Medicaid billing. We need to look at veterans’ needs, reassess the situation, and begin allocating funding based on their needs.”
Williams says she is asked how her experience as an arts administrator makes her qualified to serve in the Indiana legislature. Aside from the fact that serving as a state representative is a job that is open to people from all walks of life, she believes art has brought unique insights which have served her well in leadership.
“The arts are the reflection of human experience, which is greatly influenced by politics,” said Williams. “Art deals with what people are going through. To me, art opens up difficult conversations that need to be had. Then, we can explore how to problem solve.”
A recent example of this convergence of art and politics is the Miami Indian mural painted on the Foxes Trail restaurant along South Main Street in Kokomo. Williams spearheaded that project, bringing together local artists and businesses to create a piece that is both beautiful and impactful.
“We were able to bring all of the people together,” said Williams. “All of these artists and creators are right here in the community. We were able to make a statement that the Miamis were the first to live here, though they were removed. And today, our state is interested in re-opening the Miamis plea for federal recognition. If that isn’t the power of art, I don’t know what is.
“Even Mayor Tyler Moore understood that the mural meant a whole lot. He brought his father to see it a few weeks before he died. It was important that they were there. It was important that the Miami tribal leaders embraced the project. Not only do we have quality of life initiatives, but they also make a deeper impact. We can do that across all disciplines and issues, and that ability is something that makes me an effective leader.”
Williams comes from Kokomo. Her family has been here since 1850. She has worked in and with government at the city, county, and state level for 35 years in three different states. She has worked with the Indiana Women’s Prison, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and with children from 54 schools in central Indiana.
All of her experiences lead Williams to conclude that she is the best choice for the District 30 seat.
“To me, Karickhoff’s voting record does not serve the people of this district,” said Williams. “I think I can do better.”
Paid for by Robin Williams for Indiana Statehouse #30
A poised voice and timely thinking for the future of mothers vets and indigenous people