The Seymour Chamber of Commerce has taken the reins in organizing a public debate between candidates for the District 69 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Incumbent Republican Jim Lucas and Independent Katrina “Kat” Hardwick have both agreed to participate. Democrat Jeffery Prewitt has not yet responded to the chamber’s invitation, said Dan Robison, president of the Seymour Chamber.

All three candidates are from Seymour.

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District 69 includes Brownstown, Hamilton, Jackson, Redding, Vernon and Washington townships in Jackson County and parts of Jennings, Bartholomew and Jefferson counties. Lucas has held the seat since 2012.

The debate will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Knights of Columbus, 118 E. Second St., Seymour.

Earlier this month, Hardwick had proposed a debate as part of her campaign and was organizing it but agreed with Lucas it should be hosted by a neutral, outside and recognized group.

“I want the people that reside in District 69 to have the opportunity to hear each candidate speak on different topics so they can be more informed on who they’re voting for,” Hardwick said.

Lucas said he looks forward to sharing his views on important issues with voters.

Although he wants people to vote for him, Prewitt said he doesn’t believe there is anything for the candidates to debate and doesn’t know if he’ll participate.

“It is not what I think or want or what they think or want. It is what the people think and want,” he said. “Our job should be to represent the ones voting for us and vote as they would like whether we like it or not. The ones debating should be the people letting us know what they want. The system is backwards, and no one seems to care.”

Robison and Arann Banks, executive director of the Jackson County Visitor Center, will serve as moderators for the debate.

Questions for the candidates will be submitted by community leaders in Jackson County.

The chamber has a record of being involved with such events in the past, having organized a Seymour mayoral candidate’s forum in 2019.

“We believe it is important to provide a neutral platform from which the public can hear from each of these candidates leading up to the November election,” Robison said.

The event will be open to the public, but COVID-19 precautions will be enforced, including spacing between seating, face masks and a limited capacity.

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Indiana House District 69 candidates debate

Where: Knights of Columbus, 118 E. Second St., in downtown Seymour

When: 6 p.m. Oct. 15

Hosted by Seymour Chamber of Commerce

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