District 3 State Representative Ragen Hatcher wants to complete some unfinished business, but her opponent, Leslie Dallner, believes she can bring a new perspective to the role.
The district’s voters will choose between the two in the Nov. 5 election. District 3 includes Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago and Hobart.
Hatcher, a Democrat, was first elected to the House on Nov. 6, 2018, according to Indiana House Democrats. She’s the ranking minority member of the commerce, small business and economic development committee, and Hatcher also serves on the courts and criminal code and government and regulatory reform committees.
Before her representative role, Hatcher served as an at-large member of the Gary Common Council and unsuccessfully ran for mayor of the city in 2011.
If re-elected, Hatcher wants to continue work on domestic violence legislation that will give more protection to victims.
“It’s one of the biggest calls that we see her in District 3,” she said, “however, it is the one with the least amount of set policies and procedures.”
For Hatcher, completing her domestic violence work will also be a top priority if re-elected. She also wants to work on the district’s property taxes and to “make everyday life a little bit better.”
“That means being able to open things like roads and other infrastructure projects, along with larger projects like the upcoming Lake County convention center, which impacts everyone very positively in District 3,” Hatcher said.
The current representative believes her experience makes her stand out and that she has a deep understanding of issues that are important to District 3.
Dallner, a Republican, wants to be the voters’ voice and bring a new energy and focus that she said constituents haven’t seen in the last eight years.
Dallner declined an interview but sent her answers in an email.
“[I can] bring a fresh perspective and mindset…” Dallner said in the email. “In addition, [I can] create a well-balanced approach of transparency and financial accountability to avoid duplicating services within department budgets, effectively and efficiently trimming excess, unnecessary, wasteful spending.”
Dallner has experience as a party officer, precinct committee person and elected delegate. She also said she serves on Lake County’s Republican legislative committee.
If elected, Dallner wants to focus on health freedom, education and safe and secure communities.
Dallner said she believes that people should be given all facts of care services before making health decisions, and that no one should be denied services for choosing not to have a flu or COVID-19 vaccination.
She would also like schools to stop grading on a sliding scale, with exceptions permitted in certain circumstances. Dallner also wants schools to “get back to basics of reading, math, history, science, civics/social studies and even finances,” she said.
Dallner also believes in passing legislation that demands closed borders. She wants additional police and fire staff with more resources because Dallner believes the departments are understaffed and without necessary resources, she said.
“This can be done through legislation by cutting wasteful spending and reallocating to areas of greater need to keep our communities safe and secure,” Dallner said.
Dallner wants voters to know that if elected, they can expect tangible results on her first day in office.
“My lived experience is the same as the voters in my district, and I will take that with me to Indianapolis,” she said.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
