Two Gary Republicans, Maya Angelou Brown and Will Miller, are vying for the state Senate District 3 seat that’s long been in Democratic hands.
The winner of the May 7 primary will face either state Sen. David Vinzant or his challenger, Mark Spencer.
Miller, a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, is chairman of the Gary Republican Party.
Miller said he’s a professor, business owner and a musician.
Miller said he’s served on the Gary Public Transit Corp. board and is now on the Gary Plan Commission and Gary Health Department Board. He said he’s also a lifetime NAACP member.
“These various boards are all impacted and impact the role of the senator in the 3rd district,” he said.
Miller said he’s worked at Ivy Tech, Oakland City University and DeVry University as an adjunct professor and academic advisor/workforce development specialist.
“What I’ve found are serious gaps between how we allocate dollars and how it gets to the people to empower preparation that allows economic growth and small business development,” he said.
Miller said he would craft legislation aimed at education.
“We need autonomy and a customized streamlined way to get our talent trained and set to be gainfully employed.”
He said one of the reasons he entered the race was because his children have been impacted by bad, disconnected leadership decisions from his own party that didn’t factor in the people impacted.
“While we do have some great conservative values, there is always a blind spot when decisions are made outside of having strong ties to a community that feels the impact of the decision making,” he said.
Miller said he would connect with leaders and residents in Lake Station, Hobart, and New Chicago through planning meetings and lunches. “We have wonderful spots to eat while we grow and create a greater legacy.”
Brown said she felt the office needed new blood.
“I entered the race because I wanted to and believe that I can bring something new, a new face, new ideas, and new energy. I am someone who will be out working for the people, someone who would go across the aisle to get things done working with both the Democratic and Republican Parties…”
Even though District 3 is heavily Democratic, Brown said she still understands the needs of the residents and would be effective.
Brown, a lifelong Gary resident, is a healthcare provider.
“Though I’m not a career politician and it may appear as if I just surfaced, I have been working in the community behind the scenes … with people in my city and district, which gives me credibility as a servant’s heart.
“I believe it’s a new day and the people are looking for a representative who’s relatable, not just having a political career background but a heart and desire to want to bring change.”
Brown said she completed the Indiana Republican Leadership Series, and it enhances her ability to bring unity and success to District 3.
She cited substance abuse and mental health issues as the biggest social issues facing Hoosiers.
She said the underlying factors are limited treatment options, and chronic homelessness because of a lack of affordable housing and crime.
“I would ensure our citizens have the proper care to live healthy productive lives in our communities.”
She said voters should look at the person and not the party.
“I think being effective is not just doing a great job. Being effective is listening to the people and allowing the people to not only feel like they’re being heard, but know they’re being heard,” she said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
