>> [Music] >> McDermott on the attack in the U.S. Senate debate.

Democrats' Contract With Women.

Plus, an energy task force report and more on Indiana Week in Review for the week ending October 21, 2022.

>> [Music] Indiana we can review is made possible by the Indiana broadcast stations.

>> This week, Democrat Tom McDermott went on the attack during Sunday's debate between Indiana's candidates for U-S Senate.

The debate featured McDermott, Republican incumbent Senator Todd Young and Libertarian James Sceniak.

>> McDermott wasted no time going after Young, using his opening statement on a repeated criticism of the Republican for confirming three of the Supreme Court justices who overturned abortion rights.

Young regularly hit back by focusing on inflation.

>> AS HOOSIERS WATCH FROM THEIR LIVING ROOMS THIS EVENING, WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE HURTING.

THEY ARE HURTING AS A RESULT OF THE MULTI-TRILLION-DOLLAR, TAX-AND-SPEND POLICIES OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION) But McDermott noted that Young supported - and touts - one of those Biden spending bills, the CHIPS Act.

He says Young is two-faced.

WHEN SEN. YOUNG SUPPORTS SPENDING, THAT'S GOOD INFLATION.

BUT WHEN SEN. YOUNG DOESN'T SUPPORT IT, THAT'S BAD INFLATION) INFLATION) >> Sceniak, the Libertarian, repeatedly tried to emphasize an alternative between the two major parties.

But he had criticisms for Young, too.

SCENIAK: LIKE THE INCUMBENT SAID, SPENDING IS AN ISSUE.

BUT UNLIKE THE INCUMBENT, I DON'T JUST DISAGREE WITH SPENDING WHEN IT'S THE OTHER SIDE) Sunday's debate was the only one this cyclebetween the three candidates.

>> Did McDermott's strategy make him look desperate?

It's the first question for our Indiana Week in Review panel Democrat Elise Shrock Republican Chris Mitchem Jon Schwantes, host of Indiana Lawmakers and Niki Kelly, editor-in-chief of the Indiana Capital Chronicle I'm Indiana Public Broadcasting Statehouse Bureau Chief Brandon Smith Chris Mitchem, did going on the attack make McDermott seem like he was losing and trying to catch up?

>> I certainly don't think it was surprising you took that route is when your challenger facing the incumbent, that last race by time points but was an established candidate kind of sprouting your own talking points might not get it done.

You need to show your people why this person isn't performing the pway that Hoosiers want.

Noted it work well on attack?

I don't think so.

If I were to put a list together I probably would have had a good hit baitrate going into the campaign.

And McDermitt probably feels the same way.

And handled with grace and composure and he avoided some of the gas you might have seen an previous Senate races.

But I think at the end of the day he showed that you know he is doing really good job with Hoosier people and he deserves-- >> He did have to spend a fair amount of time on the defensive but is that the best strategy for trying to grub grab voters who haven't made other lines?,, Think McDermitt was showing some clear contributions from Sen. LifeLi Young saying and pre- pro-life all the way up to trying to talk about things because suddenly after Dobbs has confirmed three Supreme Court right justices that is unpopular and then the attack on the spending when he has been supportive of Pres.

Bidens bills like the chips bill bill.

So I think they did a pretty good job of pointing at may be where he has flip-flopped on some areas.

I think it is, these are answers that Hoosiers want to know so why weren't you in a debate setting talk about it?

>> Yes McDermitt after the debate when candidates came and talked to reporters, we asked them basically these questions and he said listen, I get one hour with Todd Young I have to go at it.

Is that basically the only strategy for him?

>> Yes and it is exactly what I expect it from him.

A think mirror McDermitt we can agree is kind of a feisty guy.

He is not a quiet wallflower.

So I think if he had backed himself down we would all have been like what is going on [Laughter]?

We expected him to go after him and he did go at him and he used that our to the best of his possibility.

>> There is a lot of speculation that the Indiana state s race is close and this one a little less slow although polls have shown it close in the last few weeks.

Do you think there were many minds changed by a debate like this where as Chris pointed out nobody really made a gap in any direction?

>> I don't think so and Chris is right there have been any number in the not so distant past some debates in Indiana where a verbal slip or full paw cost somebody dearly at the polls.

And I did not happen this time so I think you know if you were for Todd Young going into it and you happen to watch the debate or read about it after the coverage of it.

You know probably solidifying your opinion then if you worship lighting -- supporting one of the other candidates the same.

I'm not surprise the attack or attempt to bring clarity to the distinctions of the views on the reproductive rights and abortion abortion.

Because you are seeing that clearly across the country.

I mean you look even at the Georgia race that has so much attention, the one of Walker raise.

Could not really touch abortion until this week I think.

So I think the battle lines, I mean they have been drawn but if anybody had missed the past few months and just kind of woke up, all you have to know is if you are a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate it is all about woman's right to choose an abortion.

And Republicans want to encourage on the relationship tween UNI physician and your healthcare decision.

And if you are Republican and commit or challenger it's all about Joe Biden is horrible and you can't afford a tank of gas or a loaf of bread or a loan mortgage and that will be what we are seeing with increase in volume from now until election day.

>> Time now for viewer feedback.

Each week we pose an unscientific, online poll question.

This week's question: May be the last time we will ask this before the election, Who will win Indiana's U.S. Senate race?

A. Republican Todd Young B. Democrat Tom McDermott C. Libertarian James Sceniak Last week's question: Should Gov.

Eric Holcomb pardon anyone convicted of simple marijuana possession?

85% of you say yes.

15% of you say no.

A.

Yes B.

No If you would like to take part in the poll go to WFYI.org/IWIR and look for the poll.

>> Kind of to John's last point, Indiana Democrats this week launched their closing argument for the 2022 election - a focus on women's rights.

The party Monday began its "“Contract With Women"” tour.

>> State Dems are staking their electoral hopes on women turning out to vote in large numbers - and backing policies Democrats are pushing.

Representative Cherrish Pryor says part of that strategy is highlighting that Republicans have controlled Indiana government for more than a decade.

(REP. CHERRISH PRYOR (D-INDIANAPOLIS): AS IT RELATES TO ENSURING PREGNANCY ACCOMMODATIONS, THEY HAVE FAILED.

AS IT RELATES TO PROVIDING PRE-K FOR ALL KIDS, THEY HAVE FAILED.

AS IT RELATES TO PROTECTING A WOMAN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, THEY HAVE DISMALLY FAILED) >> National polls increasingly suggest that it's economic issues voters have top of mind this fall.

Representative Carey Hamilton says the causes Democrats are fighting for are economic, too.

>> (REP. CAREY HAMILTON (D-INDIANAPOLIS): ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE, ACCESS TO PRE-K EDUCATION, ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION, ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTH CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND SAFE WORKPLACES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN) Indiana Republicans continue to shine a spotlight on inflation as the key issue this election.

>> Elise Shrock, is this a winning strategy - or just the only strategy?

>> I think it is a winning strategy when over half the population in the state are women and when we talk about the issues that affect women they affect everyone and that is the economy, you know to John's point.

What will help you put a little extra money in your gas tank.

Less cost for child care would help that and finally passing a tax exemption for period products that we have been trying to pass for years into health that would help.

Every little bit helps.

Abortion is an economic issue.

Access reproductive health is an issue for women and is an economic issue.

So I think it is a good strategy.

And it is also a contrast to you know over a decade of a Republican culture of disrespect towards women in the state.

It is very real.

This has been death by 1000 cuts over the last couple of years.

I was just in the HR meeting with my own employer you know yesterday looking at the list of protected classes in our state that would protect me as a woman.

That is missing.

And there is a really very real culture that has been perpetuated by rebroken's that disrespect women.

The markets are a antidote to that.

They are coming out strong to present their argument to that and they have real solutions and I think it is a good strategy.

>> A love this was catalyzed by the jobs-- Dobbs decision this summer and then the assembly passing the new abortion -- since Dobbs.

And not just talking about abortion as part of this message they are saying they have been controlling the state house for more than a decade and look at all these things they have or have not done.

Is that may be the more potent message that it can't just be about abortion, it has to be about this larger narrative they try to build?

>> I think so because the phrase that if you don't support abortion, you hate women, doesn't stick.

I know some of those that supported women that don't line up with the single fact that abortion hurts women.

They just don't believe that.

So I think if you are one of the person that is being swayed by this abortion issue particularly if you are looking at Mary County where it showing that has been swinging some races.

I think this new campaign is not showing anything that you don't already know, that Democrats are lining up to tell you that you know we are going to try to keep the government out of your healthcare decisions at the hospital but I'm not so sure that would be effective when you just mentioned a lot of pulling's particularly internationally shows the number one issue remains the economy and I think it might be smart for Democrats to try to tailor more story that and offer solutions on how they can fix those problems., but this does.

I mean are very clear economic for women all Hoosiers in this package that the Democrats have set forth.

So economic issues are women's are issues.

>> Highlighting that further I think instead of just the abortion you know.

>> I feel like four months Democrats across the country and the higher levels here in Indiana have focused so much on solely abortion.

A lot of times when it came to the economic question about inflation they were like yes that's important and we have to address that but it will get at her with the federal of reserve but I want to talk about abortion.

This is the first time I have heard Democrats talk about hey all these other issues are economic.

It is a little bit too late for that issue to breakthrough now?

>> Not necessarily, the President this week was going into districts where candidates, Emma Kratz wanting him to go and, it wasn't doing him huge rallies, but talking to economic issues with fundraisers and people who are deep-pocketed donors picks with a different approach to more sophisticated perhaps support or who is willing to finance the stretch run for candidates.

So it is more nuanced than just on both sides.

But the problem that Democrats have is the changes take place slowly.

I mean you change economic policy or you take steps to combat inflation.

It doesn't happen overnight.

And yet when you see the gas prices go up when OPEC decides to in partnership with Russia decides to reduce production and that's why you saw the president release more of the reserve federal fuel reserves to try to stem the increase.

So it is basically a very nuanced argument about into her three years we can look back and tell you that you will be better off economically versus if you can pay for your groceries this week?

It's just harder to get people to suspend their desire for instant gratification.

>> And I will say this if this tour is effective, something that struck me was thinking about past elections.

The statewide team for Democrats, Tom McDermott and then auditor treasurer Secretary of State Dusty Wells and-- Brooks they are all campaigning a lot and unified in their message, statehouse Democrats seem to be relatively unified in their message.

I don't remember that often from Democrats in Indiana the last several cycles.

Will that sort of thing make a difference when they are all at least on the same page and the way they are trying to reach for them?

>> I mean it could.

Think there is always sort of a last minute bus tour and things like that.

So that is not necessarily know.

I think it is interesting that you are seeing when you mention like auditor candidates, treasurer candidates, I mean they are getting on the same topics even though those really don't have anything to do with the jobs they are running for [Laughter].

But they are staying consistent as a group.

I think what might hurt the Democrats is that they have done these statewide tours like five or six times in the last year and so.

>> For different issues as well well.

>> Yes.

The one might be on it for torture and one might be on local needs.

But people start to tune out when you' re like oh, another Democrat to worry about.

Stomach or you build on the fact that Democrats are showing up across the state unified year after year.

And we are getting you know, it is a building block block.

>> It is interesting and mean obviously the statewide tour model has been a priority and the chair of the Democratic party since he took over, I don't know that the election results this year will tell us so much because we know it's influenced by the national wins is impossible and anyone in Indiana to control.

But if they do have some unexpected success let's call it, I mean I think you'll see more and more and more of those going forward.

>> And a time for agechange issue you alluded to partly because it coincides with the natural cycle of Indiana history.

Basically one party is held essentially the governor's office and control for most offices for 20 years.

And so guess what, you had after the Bob or and Otis Bowen run, a similar message that it is time we had Republican control.

Look at all these bad things that happen we need to do it.

That after two terms of Evan by and then Franklin Bannon and Joe Kiernan, guess what then Mitch Daniels said it's time to get somebody else in here.

So we are about right now just the natural cycle in Indiana political sort of those evolutions it seems to be.

>> A state energy task force adopted its recommendations for Indiana lawmakers this week.

But Indiana Public Broadcasting's Rebecca Thiele reports several topics that would help the state transition to cleaner energy sources were left out.

>> It didn't make recommendations on how to regulate rooftop solar or help pay for the cost of coal plants that retire early -— or to create a statewide energy efficiency plan.

Democratic representative Matt Pierce voted against the report saying it "“missed the mark"” on a number of important policy issues.

>> (REP. MATT PIERCE (D-BLOOMINGTON): WE AS A TASK FORCE SHOULD REALLY BE SIGNALING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE FIRE BELL IS RINGING NOW ON AFFORDABILITY OF RESIDENTIAL UTILITY RATES WITH WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FACE THIS WINTER) The >> task force did encourage Indiana to adopt a goal of having some of the lowest electric rates by 2030.

It asked lawmakers to pass bills that reduce barriers to building power lines, create programs to redevelop closed coal plants and mines, and expand the use of electric rates based on time-of-day to lower the demand for energy and the need for new power plants.

>> The task force also encouraged lawmakers to require the state Utility Regulatory Commission to treat all energy sources similarly -— which could mean incentives to build new natural gas plants.

Niki Kelly, is this what would you've expected from this task force?

>> I mean maybe I am a little naïve I guess but I hope they honestly would come up with more.

They were a stakeholder from all sides and they really seem to be collecting a lot of good information.

But in the end they just sort of you know tweaked around the edges and it really come up with anything solid.

And I loved the fact that they have a goal for us to have like you know whatever lower prices to a certain amount but without a way to get there I'm not sure what goal does.

My goal is to win the lottery but if I don't buy the tickets is not happening.

>> John.

There was especially when the sort of task force came out and I mean I'm going back a few years now.

We heard even I think Eric Holcomb I me remember promising a statewide energy plan.

And then we had this task force develop a statewide energy plan.

I'm still waiting on that statewide energy plan.

So my question is how much longer can Indiana afford to not address this in a more comprehensive way?

Or is that in the rearview mirror already?

>> You know this is created some interesting divisions because normally you would think the Republican majorities would say let the market forces dominate.

Let private sector determine what is good.

But in the case of Indiana, a law of the publicly held utilities unilaterally said it is more beneficial for us in our repairs and certainly our investors, shareholders to go get rid of fossil fuels and we want to do it sooner than later and of course we have the brakes put on by many of the same people who say the market should dominate.

Now the argument is of course you don't want to take your horror story Texas where you are out of power for forty eight hours or brownouts in California so the notion was to just do this in a logical manner so that we cannot be caught with our pants down.

Now in this case, I don't know if our pants are down or not because it strikes me to have a goal is all well and good but look at some of the other issues that will be before the General assembly the session.

Maternal mortality, infant mortality, housing crisis crisis.

>> Postsecondary education.

>> Like saying we will improve test scores and more accessible housing and deal with public health issues in that circle.

>> Great I think everybody can support it but how do you get there?

>> This task force did not just study energy cost, they studied BB infrastructure, small nuclear reactors, solar, they went everywhere and I think credit should be given to some of those chairpersons for bringing all people from all sides ten of coming out doing the recommendations which kind of again as you mention the free market is kind of leading a lot of it when you come to Cole is no longer in the money and leading toward these investor only utilities for more carbon less procedures.

>> In the end what do we have?

After asking for an extra year, supposed to be two years and ended up being three years.

You think you have more than a report that is less than one dozen page and long and we don't.

This could have been a clear way to address utility cost.

We talk about economic issues that could help Hoosiers wants to month -- month to month and could have been helpful there.

And then the failed one of the charges to committee which to address utility cost for disproportionate communities of color.

>> The Chili's I'm sure everybody knows.

>> The task force is starting about the same time we looked into the alcohol policies in the state.

The Sunday sales and big boxes sailing.

We have Sunday sales and that happened and I would've put money on Sunday sales being a tougher issue.

But I was wrong again.

>> Republican U-S Senator Todd Young heads into the final stretch of the 2022 campaign with a massive financial lead over his opponents.

And in the Secretary of State race, Democrat Destiny Wells scored a small fundraising victory over her GOP opponent.

>> Young brought in more than 800 thousand dollars from the start of July to the end of September, though nearly half of that came not from direct, individual contributions to his campaign, but from political action committees.

And he ends the third quarter with five and a half million dollars in his campaign coffers.

That dwarfs Democrat Tom McDermott, who raised more than 475 thousand dollars (almost all from individuals) and ended the period with nearly 400 thousand cash on hand.

But the Democrat in the Secretary of State race, Destiny Wells, just outraised Republican Diego Morales in the third quarter - 326 thousand to 310 thousand dollars.

Morales still has more campaign cash heading into the final month, nearly 500 thousand dollars to Wells's 300 thousand.

>> Jon Schwantes, what, if anything, does the Secretary of State race fundraising tell us?

>> A lack of enthusiasm perhaps on the part of Republicans about the Dallas campaign for reasons we discussed in past weeks, performance and primersor jobs and election, doesn't take part and oblates in the debates.

So I just think there is a lack of enthusiasm and I'm sure given the sort of the Headstart that is built into the process for Republicans, he would have to be the favorite.

But you know, lots of issues that help vote Hoosiers decide, everything from ethnic sounding names.

It is a literature met, I've seen it happen before.

-- it is legitimate and I've seen it happen before.

>> I feel like a lot of times when it comes to fundraising a lot of it is building the narrative.

So if you already, in the case of Todd Young, he has this huge lead in fundraising.

So it helps build a perception that he also has a healinguge lead in the polls.

Even though it was a relatively small win for destiny wells, does it help build that win, that this is real you arewe should pay attention to this race?

Stomach yes and a couple polls that show they were competitive, seen her out fundraising and the most recent thing.

I think definitely a good sign for them.

And that can help build on that may be in other fundraising but I mean at this point, I don't think she is on the air.

I don't think Diego is either.

But you know.

The time is running out to use whatever that tiny fundraising margin was.

>> To that point, a couple polls have shown that Todd McDermott is closer than I think people thought he might be.

But does this lack of money really going to hurt any chance he might have at knocking off at an incumbent like Todd Young?

>> I don't think so and mean this is kind of a wildcard year when it comes to the statewide ticket.

I know there is a huge advantage there and I'm not to office gate that.

But we walked into that thinking it would be wider spread and here we are.

We have the McDermott young Pole being a lot closer than probably expected.

We have destiny wells a qualified combat tested ready candidate ready to step into the Secretary of State's office.

Out raising Diego 10 to 1 when it comes to individual donors.

So yes so people are taking notice and the margins are getting closer.

>> Is it not the monetary number but the number of donations number that stands out with you?

>> Yes just like what she just said, I think destiny when it comes to contributions far out gain Diego on that it could be a sign of energy in the ways.--raec ways.--race.

>> Finally, Libertarian Senate candidate James Sceniak introduced himself at the debate this week by mentioned his Harry Potter house (he's a Hufflepuff, by the way).

Elise Shrock, did he risk losing the votes of Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Gryffindors?

>> I think that we should center this to the people in the we can review pole.

>> Oh!!

>> That might be a postelection pool will have to put a bookmark on that one.

>> Will we see more candidates introduce themselves more with like a Harry Potter house?

Stomach I remember whenever Ted Lasso was big, I think twelve or thirteen state of the state governors that mentioned Ted Lasso votes, just things like that brings everyone together.

>> Ravenclaws and Gryffindors?

That's Indiana Week in Review for this week.

Our panel is Democrat Elise Shrock.=, Republican Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle You can find Indiana Week In Review's podcast and episodes at wfyi.org/iwir or on the PBS Video App.

I'm Brandon Smith of Indiana Public Broadcasting.

Join us next time because a lot can happen in an Indiana Week.

>> [Music] >> The opinions of those expressed are solely of those of