Holdman, Orr in senate race

One candidate is hoping to be able to continue to build on the work he’s done in his decade in the state senate. The other is looking to make the leap into state government after serving for 10 years at the county level.

The race for the Republican nomination for the District 19 seat representing Jay, Adams, Blackford, Wells, Huntington and Grant counties in the Indiana State Senate pits incumbent Travis Holdman against Eric Orr.

Holdman, an attorney from Markle, was initially elected to the office in 2008 following the death of David Ford. He won re-election in 2010, and was unopposed in the primary and general elections in 2014.

Orr, an attorney from Berne, has served on Adams County Council since being selected by a Republican caucus to fill an open seat in 2008. He is making his first run for statewide office.

The effort to earn the senate seat, Orr said, came from a desire to advocate for conservative ideals.

“One of the things that got me is we had all this excitement about (President Donald) Trump getting into the White House, about conservative ideas really being pushed, and I just felt like our state legislature didn’t really embrace that,” he said, referencing issues such as the 2017 gas tax increase and a push for hate crimes legislation as areas of concern.

Holdman addressed the criticism of the increase in the gas tax, which was initiated as part of an effort to generate funding for roads and bridges. He pointed out that the state legislature has done a lot to reduce the overall tax burden by eliminating the inventory and inheritance taxes, capping property taxes and reducing personal and corporate income taxes.

“But we had nowhere to turn for infrastructure improvements, and one of the biggest complaints I have received in the two years is the condition of our roads and highways, whether it’s local city streets or the interstates,” he said. “And the gas tax increase was the responsible thing to do.”

Both candidates talked about the state’s role in school safety, which was thrust into the forefront following the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Holdman said it will be an important issue for the legislature to address during its special session in May by approving the additional $5 million in funding for school safety as requested by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Orr advocated for allowing school staff to carry firearms on school grounds as a way to deter potential shooters and protect students.

“I don’t think schools should be gun-free zones,” he said. “I see no reason why willing — they have to be willing, we’re not going to force teachers to do this — able and trained teachers and coaches couldn’t conceal-carry at a school.”

In terms of dealing with the state’s opioid- and drug-abuse epidemics, Holdman said the legislature has taken some good steps and needs to continue to do so. He referenced legislation to limit the number of days for which doctors can prescribe opioids and efforts to increase the number of treatment centers in the state.

Orr specifically mentioned Jay County’s Randy Davis and A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope, an organization that works with those who are struggling with addiction, as examples to follow in working to overcome the crisis. He said he favors such initiatives rather than creating “some huge bureaucracy that’s supposed to solve this that really doesn’t do anything.”

He also said he believes a wall needs to be built at the border with Mexico to stop drugs from being smuggled into the country.

Holdman also discussed the direct connection between drug addition and workforce development, saying he’s been told by some business and industry leaders 25 to 40 percent of job applicants can’t pass a drug test.

He added that the process of workforce development actually begins in middle school and that more needs to be done to help students find viable career paths, which should not always involve college.

“I think changing that cultural mindset the parents have is going to be important,” Holdman said, noting that some students would be better off focusing on a trade and avoiding unneccesary student-loan debt. “And I think some of the things we did this session will help start to do that in our public school system.”

Orr agreed that college is not for everyone and advocated for an expansion of vocational programs. He specifically mentioned that his 9-year-old daughter has learned some computer coding in school, and that he’d like to see such programs expanded.

The candidates expressed similar views about medical marijuana, for which the state legislature will have a study committee this summer. Both said the study committee is a positive step in order to gather information, but both also have reservations about allowing medical marijuana and the possibility that it would lead to recreational use.

Orr presented himself as a strong advocate of religious freedom and said he feels the state has done too much to cater to out-of-state corporations that may still not choose to relocate to Indiana. He said that he, like Holdman, is strongly pro-life on the issue of abortion.

He added that he believes he is in tune with the district and would represent its interests well, and that he is not beholden to special-interest groups.

“I feel like I know this district pretty well, and I’m committed to excellence. I’m committed to working really hard for my constituents,” said Orr, before turning to one of his campaign tag lines. “Instead of bringing Indianapolis to District 19, let’s take District 19 to Indianapolis.”

Holdman, who is considered a top contender to take over for David Long as Senate Pro Tem, said it’s his experience and leadership style that make him a good choice to send back to Indianapolis.

“I listen to all sides before I make a decision,” he said. “We’ve accomplished some great things for the state of Indiana. … We just need to keep this ship steered on the same course we’ve been on now since Mitch Daniels was our governor.”