Election 2026 Interview Series: Candidate for U.S. Representative (D9) Tonya Hudson

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 U.S. Representative, and why should voters in Indiana's 9th District choose you?

The two-party system is broken and Indiana's District 9 has not had true representation in D.C. for many years. Our current Rep does not talk with the People, is not accessible, and rather does what she is told by Republican leadership.  She votes with her party and not for the voters in her district even if sometimes the two can have the same voting result.  If elected to Congress, I will not be beholden to any one party or group. I will represent and vote on behalf of the People. 

What do you believe are the biggest issues facing residents of Indiana's 9th Congressional District, and what specifically would you do in Congress to address them?

The high costs of fuel, groceries and utilities are the direct result of inept politicians.  If elected to Congress, I will vote to end the unconstitutional wars, especially in Iran.  I would also encourage improvements in the oil refinery business so that fuel is better streamlined for distribution.  The issues I care about are detailed on my website (HudsonforHoosiers.com).

Washington County and much of southern Indiana continue to face workforce challenges. Southern Indiana Works recently found that Washington County has a labor force of more than 14,000 people, but more than 5,500 residents leave the county for work. What role, if any, should a member of Congress play in helping rural communities attract better-paying jobs and create more opportunities closer to home?

State, local counties and municipalities are responsible for making their aeras business friendly. They should work to create an environment that would entice companies that hire employees to locate into the county. At the federal level, I would be in favor of offering federal grants to those areas that qualify.

Many rural communities are being approached about large-scale development projects, including data centers and solar farms. What federal policies, if any, should govern or encourage these developments, and how would you balance economic opportunity with concerns about land use, infrastructure, energy consumption and local control?

Similar to my [previous] answer, State and local officials vote to approve large scale development.  As a Libertarian, I think Free Market Principles should apply and Article IV (states' rights) should play out in this area.  As long as these large scale developments have minimal negative impact on wildlife or no effect on our nation's security, the federal government should not intervene. 

People often complain that members of Congress spend too much time focused on national politics and not enough time listening to their districts. How would you make yourself accessible and ensure that concerns from communities like Washington County are heard in Washington?

I understand the frustration of the People.  As a collective, it's the duty of Congress to debate and vote on bills regarding revenue, taxes and national issues on behalf of their constituents.  If elected to Congress, I would make it a practice of explaining my votes and actions while listening to the People and the concerns they care about.  Updates would be kept on my website as well as my congressional Facebook page. 

What is one issue where you believe your party or political allies are getting something wrong, and where would you be willing to disagree with them?

As a third party, I think we need to grow the party and improve on our messaging so the People know we are a better option than the broken 2-party monopoly.  Details of my message, concerns and the issues facing the People can be found on my website (HudsonForHoosiers.com).  I do NOT use AI in my writings.

At the end of a term, what specific accomplishments or results would you want voters to be able to point to and say, "This is what my representative accomplished for Indiana's 9th District"?

I want my constituents to say, 'Tonya Hudson worked hard for us and was able to spearhead the abolishment of the IRS as well as reduce taxes so we have more money in our pockets. Tonya Hudson was able to voice our concerns to reduce the red tape making it easier for small businesses and farmers to survive.' (I have written a bill called The Hudson Resolution to Abolish the IRS.)

You have chosen to run as a Libertarian rather than as a Republican or Democrat. What do you believe the two major parties are failing to offer voters in the 9th District?

I was a lifelong Republican before I became a Libertarian in 2019.  I got fed up with the shenanigans playing out as both major parties are two sides of the same coin.  The Framers of the U.S. Constitution did NOT want a two-party monopoly.  John Adams said it best.

Your campaign emphasizes making government more accessible to voters, including holding town halls and answering questions from constituents. What would that look like in practice if you were elected, and how would you make sure rural communities have the same access to their representative as larger communities?

Unlike our current Rep, I would travel to all counties on a rotation basis.  District 9 is very large with about 3/4 of a million people.  While on recess, I would take turns visiting the People at Town Halls and public forums while electronically recording each of them for online viewing.  I respect the right of the People to choose where they want to live including the ones who live in secluded rural areas for its beauty and privacy.