INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana residents who live in the fourth district will have a choice between a candidate who has represented them in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019 and a first-time candidate who sees himself as an alternative to the incumbent.
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind. District 4 is running for the seat once more as the Republican candidate, facing Derrick Holder, a first-time Democratic candidate for the fourth district's seat.
Before November’s election, look below at the platforms of each of the fourth district candidates and what they believe makes them stand out in this particular race.
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind. District 4
Since 2019, U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind. District 4 has been the congressman for the state's fourth district. Since he was elected in 2019, he has served on various committees, including the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
"I think those folks deserve to have good representation on a lot of the committees and so on that makes legislation," Baird said in an interview with FOX59/CBS4. "I think I've got a background and a skillset that matches that."
When asked what stands out to him about his last term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Baird highlighted his work on the ongoing Farm Bill. Baird, along with other leaders from the committee, traveled across the United States, crafting the legislation that remains in progress.
"It was a really positive thing that we got that bill passed out of the House. Now, it's gone to the Senate and they haven't sent it back," he said. "But, we had a lot of positive responses from (the agriculture) industry, from agribusiness, from farm people. We really touched base with all of those who are impacted, including the SNAP programs and the programs that commit food to a lot of different people, including those around the world."
A lifelong fourth district resident, Baird previously served in the Indiana House of Representatives, as well as a commissioner with Putnam County. According to his website, Baird is also a Veteran, a farmer and a small business owner.
Baird told FOX59/CBS4 that running for reelection differs from running for the position for the first time, mainly from the experience he has had since he was first elected.
"I think that does change because of the experiences that you have here, the relationships that you've developed here, how much more effective that makes you as an individual, as a legislator," he said. "I think that that experience really comes into play and enhances the ability to get legislation done."
This year, Baird said the main concerns he has heard from voters include the cost of goods and inflation, as well as workforce issues, specifically pertaining to agriculture and other industries.
According to his campaign website, Baird said that he is the only candidate for the position who has a "proven track record of being pro-life, pro-Israel and (a) supporter of the Second Amendment."
Ultimately, Baird believes that his experience and what he has done in the U.S. House of Representatives makes him stand out.
"If you only remember one thing about me, I want you to remember that I care about this country," Baird said on his website. "As a Vietnam combat Veteran, I lost my arm fighting communism. And as long as they are openly talking about socialism on the house floor, I am here to fight again."
Derrick Holder
Derrick Holder told FOX59/CBS4 that this is his first time running for public office, stating he was motivated by what he believes is a "lack of representation" for Indiana's fourth district.
"The lack of representation that we have right now in the district is insane," he said. "We are being represented by someone who is so out of touch with what's really going on in the district and someone who is not beholden to the people, but to corporate interests. That has to end, and that's why I decided to throw my hat in the ring."
According to his website, Holder is a Veteran and has held various roles in his professional life, including as a paralegal. Holder said that he has an "unwavering passion for public service" as well as a "forward-thinking vision" which he believes sets him apart.
Some of the issues that Holder is running on include the economy, as well as the importance of gun safety. In his interview with FOX59/CBS4, Holder also stressed the importance of women's bodily autonomy, and making sure that all people, regardless of their background, have the same opportunities.
Holder said that he is focusing on these issues based on what he's heard from voters from both political parties.
"They're all huge priorities for (voters)," Holder said. "That's what made me evolve to those big ones, was talking to... the voters. You go into a race and you're like, these are my big three (issues). Then, you get out and talk to people and that's not what they're worried about. They're worried about the economy, about health care, about, you know, gun violence, about all of this border security."
Ultimately, bipartisanship is a priority for Holder, something that he is focusing on throughout his 2024 campaign.
"We may not start out in the same areas, same social strata, all that, but we should all have the opportunity to move up to make our lives better than what our parents' lives were," he said.
"Ultimately, we're all Americans and we all want to see this country stay great. I'm not a believer in make America great again. We never stop being great," Holder continued. "But, you know, we all want the same outcome. Our approaches are different, right, and we have to just understand that our approaches aren't always going to line up. Just because I have one way of doing something and you have a different way, as long as our outcome's the same and we can connect on some issues, then we can work together."
According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Hoosiers are able to register to vote for the 2024 General Election through Oct. 7. For more information on how Indiana residents are able to register to vote, click here.