District 9 candidates discuss funding cuts, healthcare costs and data centers

Five out of six District 9 primary congressional candidates participated in a forum hosted by Concerned Scientists at IU at the Monroe County Public Library, addressing federal funding cuts, healthcare costs, and data centers. Democratic primary candidates Jim Graham, Brad Meyer, Tim Peck, and Keil Roark, along with independent candidate Floyd Taylor, attended the event. Incumbent Republican Representative Erin Houchin was invited but unable to attend. The forum, moderated by sophomore Emma Broach and senior Tyler Morris from Advocates for Science at IU, posed questions on federal research funding, healthcare, environmental regulation, and climate change. Candidates unanimously supported reinstating federal research funding, with Graham emphasizing its economic importance and Taylor advocating for its protection from political shifts. On public health, Roark backed Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Meyer called for universal Medicare access, and Peck stressed transparency and local healthcare investment. For climate change, both Peck and Roark urged greater federal action on clean energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence, with Peck suggesting solar panels on federal lands. During a lightning question round, candidates discussed data center construction in Indiana, which is facing criticism due to its substantial energy and water requirements. Meyer and Peck advocated for increased transparency in data center development, with Peck proposing that facilities construct their own transformers for responsible energy use. Roark supported stricter regulations but also highlighted data centers' significance for national security, while Taylor expressed skepticism about AI. The Indiana primary election is scheduled for May 5.