Two candidates who consider themselves to be dedicated to Northwest Indiana are vying for a seat in the Indiana State Senate.
Gary Councilman Mark Spencer, D-At Large, is facing off against Will Miller, a lifelong Republican and member of the NAACP, to be the District 3 Indiana State Senator.
Spencer beat state Sen. David Vinzant for the Democratic nomination in May’s primary. Vinzant was selected in a January Democratic Party caucus to fill the seat, which Gary Mayor Eddie Melton left vacant after he was elected in November and inaugurated Dec. 30.
District 3 encompasses parts of Gary, Merrillville, Hobart and Lake Station. The district’s voters will choose between Spencer and Miller in the Nov. 5 election.
Spencer believes his dedication to Northwest Indiana and District 3 has been “highly visible.” He also thinks his experience as a member of the Gary Common Council, which he joined in October 2023, will help if he is elected. Spencer is the longtime director of the West Side Theatre Guild and Director of Performing Arts at the Gary Community School Corp.
“From the lens of a councilman, I have been exposed to some of the greater needs that, as a private citizen, I was not privy to,” Spencer said. “It has armed me with a greater desire to serve and the skill to maneuver the process at the state level.”
If elected, Spencer wants to focus on education, the economy and the environment.
Spencer plans to advocate for increased funding in public education to “even the playing field” with all institutions. He also wants to advocate and support local businesses.
“I personally think small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” he said. “Supporting and advocating for those businesses only benefits and stimulates the local economy.”
Spencer also wants to focus on preserving Lake Michigan, lessening pollution and keeping the water clean. It’s important to him that Northwest Indiana and District 3 continue to have the best resources fairly distributed to the community, Spencer said.
“The district is very important to me,” he added. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
Miller said in April that he he worked at Ivy Tech, Oakland City University and DeVry University as an adjunct professor and academic advisor/workforce development specialist.
Miller believes his experience in business, leadership and the health care sectors set him apart from Spencer. He’s trained health navigators and helped people obtain health care coverage, and Miller was mentored by Quentin P. Smith, a Tuskegee airman and community leader.
He also said in an email that he’s served on multiple boards that’s given “insight into the mistakes we make due to a lack of detailed organization.” Miller said he’s served on the Gary Public Transit Corp. board and the Gary Plan Commission and Gary Health Department Board.
Miller chose to send his answers in an email rather than complete an on the record interview.
“The best practices I’ve observed in the private sector are not being used in our political arena,” Miller said. “While many talented individuals serve on boards with noble intentions, their singular economic goals can hinder our unified long-term objectives.”
If elected, Miller plans to focus on education, small business development and economic growth within District 3, which he said are “interrelated and strategically intertwined.” He believes each community is unique and deserves advocacy at the state level and to share resources.
Miller also believes the district’s workforce development resources must improve, especially as technology and artificial intelligence improves.
“Supporting streamlined connections within education is crucial for preparing individuals for future career opportunities, regardless of their stage in education,” Miller said. “An educated constituency fuels small business startups, driving collective community benefits.”
Freelance reporter Carole Carlson contributed.
