Election 2026 Interview Series: Candidate for State Representative D69 Chris Bowen

As the 2026 general election approaches, The Washington County Times is publishing written interviews with candidates in contested races affecting Washington County.

The Times reached out to all candidates for whom we were able to obtain contact information and invited them to participate. If you are a candidate in a contested race and have not received an invitation, please contact us so we can make sure you have an opportunity to participate.

Candidates were provided with questions tailored to their campaign, personal history, and the office they are seeking. We encouraged candidates to answer the questions in their own words and to refrain from using ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tools when preparing their responses.

All candidate responses have been published as submitted, without editing or alteration. The Washington County Times does not endorse political candidates, and any opinions or statements expressed within the following interview are the candidate's own.

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Why are you running for State Representative, and what do you believe District 69 needs from its representative that it is not currently getting?

I am running for State Representative because I don’t think our current Representative puts the districts best interests first. His votes and decisions have put party over people and have hurt Hoosiers. When he helped defeat the “Brookings Agenda” AKA the Burkart Opportunity Zone in Seymour it meant Seymour lost out on more affordable housing, improving existing apartment complexes, getting more support for first time home buyers and small businesses, revamping our parks and extending Seymour’s trail system plus it denied the citizens of Seymour a much-wanted indoor recreational facility.

What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the residents of House District 69 today, and what should the state do about it?

The biggest issue facing District 69 today is affordability. The Republican supermajority in the Statehouse has made living in Indiana increasingly unaffordable. We need to tackle the corruption in the Statehouse, raise the state’s minimum wage and have a fair tax system.

Do you believe Indiana is moving in the right direction on taxes, and are there changes you would support?

No, we are not moving in the right direction on taxes. Indiana needs to limit or preferably end tax abatements. Frequently, corporations receive multiyear tax abatements while not offering a living wage to their employees. This is a win for the corporation, not Indiana. Also, a rebalance of our tax system is needed so that everyone pays their fair share.

Rural communities in District 69 face challenges attracting and retaining workers, businesses and young families. What can the state do to strengthen the economies of communities such as Salem and the other smaller communities in the district?

To retain workers, businesses and young families, Indiana needs to invest more money into rural area education, infrastructure and making sure businesses aren’t coming here to find cheap labor and tax abatements. We need to give them a reason to stay and right now we are failing at that.

What should the state's role be in supporting public education while preserving educational choice?

Indiana needs to cap voucher spending according to household income and increase spending on public education. A few suggestions would be to increase teacher pay and ensure students have the necessary tools for their education. Teachers should never have to pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets.

What is your position on Indiana's current abortion laws, and what changes, if any, would you support?

Indiana’s abortion law is vague and dangerous. Abortion is medical care and denying medical care to anyone should be illegal, no matter your personal view. Medical decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor. I support a complete repeal of Indiana’s current abortion law.

What is your position on Indiana's recent changes to election and voting laws? Are there additional changes you would support to make voting more accessible, secure or transparent?

I am not in favor of school board candidates declaring a political party affiliation, the statewide ban on ranked choice voting, the expansion of straight-ticket voting to cover at large races and banning student ID’s as valid voter ID. The Republican supermajority has made it harder to vote, and I feel that is the wrong way to go.

I would work to repeal party affiliation from school board candidates and straight-ticket voting. I would work to allow ranked choice voting, and Student ID’s used as valid voter ID. Indiana should extend voting times and add additional polling places. Voting is our voice and Indiana should make it easier for registered voters to express their voice.

Jim Lucas has represented District 69 for more than a decade. What is your opinion of his record, and what specifically would you do differently as representative?

I do not believe that Mr. Lucas’ votes and decisions have been made in the best interests of District 69. He has voted for bills that have harmed the citizens of this district and state such as voting for SB1 (property tax reform law). And I was particularly disturbed by the unsuccessful bill he authored to bring back firing squads.

As Representative I would put working Hoosiers first. I would fight to balance taxes so that the working class doesn’t get hit with the brunt of the tax bill and large companies and corporations pay their fair share. I would support increasing our state minimum wage. I would ensure that the state does not take away local control, put more funding towards public education, trade schools and apprenticeships. I would also ensure that the necessary social safety net programs as well as infrastructure projects are properly funded. I believe taxpayer money should be used for the benefit of the taxpayer.

Conversely, what do you believe is a notable or admirable accomplishment?

After reviewing Mr. Lucas’ voting record, there is little that he and I agree on. It is notable that Mr. Lucas has managed to stay in office for 14 years despite an OWI, his controversial social media posts and flashing his gun at school age kids who were at the Statehouse to advocate for gun safety legislation.

Lucas has won reelection by substantial margins during his tenure. Why do you believe voters who have repeatedly supported him should consider making a change this year?

I believe that I am the person who will put their needs first. Mr. Lucas puts party over people and unfortunately a lot of people in this district straight-ticket vote. I would love to see people not look at what letter is next to my name, but what I plan to do for them once I am elected to the House. I truly believe in people over party and profit.

If elected, what is the single issue you intend to make your highest priority during your first legislative session?

My first priority is to undo the harm that has been caused by bad policies over the last few years. Put people back on the social safety net programs that help them survive, feed the hungry, house the unhoused and insure the uninsured.