Candidates for Indiana House and Senate, commissioner, and County Council shared their views on important issues such as NIPSCO oversight, data centers, and affordable housing during a forum held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday. The event was sponsored by We Make Indiana, a faith-based nonprofit with a chapter in Porter County.
NIPSCO Oversight
During the forum, candidates addressed the affordability and reliability of electrical services. The monthly bill for a 1,000-kilowatt-hour NIPSCO customer has increased approximately 92% since 2016, from $122 to $234 in 2025, according to moderator Sonia Fabbri from Duneland Community Church in Chesterton. Rodney Pol Jr., the incumbent in Senate District 4, criticized House Bill 1002 for being too diluted, specifically mentioning the removal of language that would eliminate the sales tax on NIPSCO bills. Pol highlighted issues with rate increases, disconnections, and private equity firms acquiring utilities, stating, “Your rates get spent on advertisement,” questioning NIPSCO’s monopoly advertising expenditures.
Nate Uldricks, Pol’s opponent, was absent from the forum. Democrat Nick Neal, running for District 19, advocated for ratepayer benefits from federal utility incentives and suggested an elected board for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), challenging the current appointment system dominated by the Republican supermajority.
Tyler Bridges, running for District 11, called for a bipartisan IURC if elected. Pastor Kim Adams welcomed the attendees, and candidates like Chris Cleveland from House District 9 voiced concerns over regulatory issues, highlighting closeness of IURC members to utility representatives.
Data Centers
Candidates discussed conditions for large-scale data centers in Porter County. Kyle Nelson, Democrat running for commissioner, favored a moratorium on data centers until a comprehensive report on their impact on quality of life and the environment is conducted. His opponent, Republican Mike Brickner, emphasized the importance of local input on data center locations, advocating for proper zoning to determine their sites without disrupting local quality of life.
Julia Kocal from council District 4 agreed with Brickner on zoning controls and criticized nondisclosure agreements that prevent community awareness until data centers have progressed too far. Brian Gulley, running for council District 2, opposed large-scale data centers due to potential over-reliance on single industries.
Spencer Lemmons, Republican opponent, provided written answers, expressing caution against outright rejection of data centers due to potential local revenue benefits. He emphasized public engagement and transparent processes.
Affordable Housing
Moderators Fabbri and Susan Swarner highlighted a 53% rise in home prices in Porter County since 2019, with median prices being one of the highest in the state. Candidates proposed various strategies to tackle housing affordability. Travis Gearhart suggested reducing zoning restrictions, permit fees, and parking requirements. Ryan Kominakis recommended a grant program to aid new homebuyers.
Chris Cleveland stressed the significance of local decisions in housing policies and suggested higher downtown population density as a solution. Tyler Bridges called for incentives for young homebuyers to boost economic activity locally. Neal proposed a residential infrastructure fund for expanded housing options, highlighting the need for diverse housing solutions.
Rodney Pol Jr. criticized tariffs by President Donald Trump for increasing building material costs and condemned private equity’s role in real estate. He recommended first-time homebuyer tax credits. Julia Kocal advocated for housing diversity and collaborative local efforts to secure grants. Brickner praised Valparaiso’s property donation model and emphasized education on saving for down payments.
Fourteen of the 21 invited candidates attended the forum, but some had to drop out due to emergencies. The event was attended by about 150 people, more than anticipated.