Candidate Q&A: County commissioner, Tom Murtaugh vs. Jaime Ortiz

Republican Tom Murtaugh faces a challenge from Libertarian Jaime Ortiz in the Nov. 5 general election for a Tippecanoe County commissioner seat he first won in 2008.

This is part of a series of Q&As with candidates in contested races in the Nov. 5 general election in Tippecanoe County.

Tom Murtaugh, left, and Jaime Ortiz. (Photos provided)

Republican Tom Murtaugh faces a challenge from Libertarian Jaime Ortiz in the Nov. 5 general election for a Tippecanoe County commissioner seat he first won in 2008.

The seat represents District 3, which covers eastern, central and southern portions of Tippecanoe County. County commissioners oversee county policies and the day-to-day operations of county government. The candidates appear on ballots across Tippecanoe County, not just District 3.

Here, the candidates running  for Tippecanoe County commissioner in District 3 discuss their approach to the position.

• For more: Find bios of each candidate, along with information about where and when to vote at the end of this article.

Why do you want this job? Why are you running now for this position?

Tom Murtaugh: I hope to continue as your commissioner to competently address the challenges as one of Indiana’s fastest growing counties.   My career experience in banking, service on many community boards, as a member of the county council, and now as commissioner, has enabled me to effectively serve Tippecanoe County.

Jaime Ortiz: I and other residents are backed into a corner because Tom is not doing his job. I feel called to run because no one else is running against the establishment Republican candidate. A change is needed.  

Name two of your top priorities for work as a Tippecanoe County commissioner. And how will you handle those? 

Tom Murtaugh: We need to continue to safeguard our water resources.  The moratorium on water export from the county has certainly gotten the attention of the state, but we need to assure any future state water policy considers our region’s current and future growth needs.  Also, we need to address the shortage of housing and adequate childcare in the community.  We have leveraged partnerships and utilized READI grant funds to address these concerns, but we have more work to do to attract and retain talent for the diverse employers in the county.

Jaime Ortiz: My top two priorities are getting spending under control and reducing the size of the government. Both are intertwined. Government is large because of all the money it has robbed from us. I can handle both of those by cutting spending. I think there needs to be an audit of all the departments in the county to see where all the biggest waste is at and we can start there. There is always waste in the government.

What’s the biggest challenge facing Tippecanoe County in the next four years? And how do you propose to address that?

Tom Murtaugh: Managing growth effectively is the biggest challenge facing Tippecanoe County.   As mentioned in my other responses, we need to encourage new housing starts, support the creation of additional childcare seats, and safeguard our water resources. And as a growing county, we have the added challenge of maintaining our road and bridge network and constructing new roads as we grow.  Construction costs are rising, and local road funding is stagnant.  In addition, state road funding is based on current road miles and does not account for new infrastructure needs.

Jaime Ortiz: The biggest challenge is the county faces are ones created by the state and federal government. We’re facing the collapse of the value of the U.S. dollar, World War III and possibly the largest recession we’ve ever had. I propose that we start by nullifying legal tender laws to allow people to pay in gold, silver or crypto for goods and services. We can also give county employees the option to be paid in gold and silver. It would be a good hedge against the declining value of the dollar and the recession. We can’t stop the war, but we can deny the federal government the bodies needed to prolong it by banning the draft in this county. I believe that the draft is legalized slavery and is immoral. None of these young men want to go die in a war created by warmongers in Washington. Especially one where there is no benefit to us or a direct threat to this country. 

Grade the county’s current approach to managing residential and commercial growth beyond the city limits of Lafayette and West Lafayette? What could be done better?

Tom Murtaugh: Tippecanoe County works closely with the Area Plan Commission to do comprehensive planning of areas of projected growth.  That planning helps to guide decisions on density and zoning to assure smart growth. The READI housing study showed the County currently needs 4,200 additional housing units.  As a university community with a significant housing demand, we should be more willing to consider denser housing options such as townhomes, condos and apartments.  By creating a range of housing choices, we can limit the sprawl of single family homes and meet the needs of our growing community.  Grade: B-plus.

Jaime Ortiz: I’d give the county an F. I don’t believe that most of the growth in this county is organic. We’ve grown too fast and too quick because politicians at every level have used tax dollars to bribe corporations to come here. If we want to fix the housing problem, then we need to get rid of zoning and loosen the housing regulations. This will incentivize the building of more homes. 

County commissioners have a temporary moratorium on high-volume wells and some water transfers, as defense against the LEAP pipeline concept. Is that the best approach for the county to take?

Tom Murtaugh: As options were being considered, we were advised that the moratorium on the export of water from the county was the best option because of a lack of statewide water policy.  Counties do not have explicit authority in state statute to institute an all-out ban, thus a moratorium is more likely to hold up if challenged. 

Jaime Ortiz: No, the best approach is to make it a permanent ban on this water project. This entire project is nothing more than a huge subsidy for the corporations at the expense of homeowners and taxpayers. I believe that most if not all of the local government knew about this project before anyone else did. I don’t believe that they’re being honest about it. They are always in the loop with the state government. They are also always in support of any economic development project if it means they can have their name attached to some large project. I don’t believe this fake outrage that they project to us.

Would you vote to create a full-time position for the county’s health officer, as the Tippecanoe County Board of Health has proposed?

Tom Murtaugh: The position of the county health officer is an advisory position that, along with the Board of Health, develops a scoreboard and plan to improve public health metrics.  The implementation of that plan is the responsibility of the current, and very capable, health department administrator. A full-time health officer would simply be a duplication of that current administrator position and would add significant personnel costs that would be better spent on direct public health initiatives. 

Jaime Ortiz: If it’s needed then yes. I had seen that one of the issues was that inmates were not able to get their medications on time due to not having a full-time health officer. If these people are in our prisons, then they are under our care and we have a responsibility to take care of them.

Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents and why they matter.

Tom Murtaugh: I value collaboration and partnerships that put community first. I’ve built strong working relationships with fellow commissioners, the county council, our mayors and state legislators — putting party affiliation aside to better Tippecanoe County. Additionally, my experience is a key asset. With a background in finance, strategic economic development and service on the Wabash River Enhancement Corp. and United Way boards, I understand both the needs of our growing community and the importance of quality-of-life initiatives like trails and riverfront projects.

Jaime Ortiz: Unlike the “Republican” I am running against, I do actually believe in small government and personal freedom. This matters because wherever there is large government, there is less freedom, both economically and socially. The other thing that separates me from Tom is the amount of time he has been in government. I think it’s time for not only Tom, but most of the people in the local government to hang it up. Aside from thinking that Tom hasn’t done that great of a job, I also think that it’s time for millennials and younger generations to start filling these roles and take responsibility for the choices that will affect them for the next couple decades.

CANDIDATE BIOS

Tom Murtaugh

Party: Republican

Age: 58

Occupation: Tippecanoe County Commissioner

Education background: Graduate of Jefferson High School and Wabash College

Past elected positions, if any: Elected to Perry Township Advisory Board, Tippecanoe County Council and Tippecanoe County Commissioner

Community boards or other community leadership and service: United Way, Chairman; Valley Oaks, Finance Chair; Greater Lafayette Commerce, Past Chair;       Wabash River Enhancement Corp., Vice President; LTAP, Past Chairman; Area Plan Commission; Tippecanoe Emergency Ambulance Service

Jaime Ortiz

Party: Libertarian

Age: 29           

Occupation: Trucker

Education background: Some college

Past elected positions, if any: none

Your campaign site online: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078705978838

---

ABOUT THE NOV. 5 GENERAL ELECTION

Early voting ahead of the Nov. 5 primary election started Oct. 8 with contested races on Tippecanoe County ballots for president, governor, U.S. Senate and Houses, Indiana attorney general, several Indiana General Assembly seats, Tippecanoe County commissioner and Tippecanoe County Council at-large seats, several county elected seats, and Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe school corporation school boards. A few things to know:

VOTER REGISRATION/YOUR BALLOT: To check your voter registration and to see candidates and public questions that will be on your specific ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s portal at www.indianavoters.com.

WHERE TO VOTE: In Tippecanoe County, registered voters may cast their ballot at any vote center.

EARLY VOTING

• Oct. 8-Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette

• Oct. 15-Oct. 18, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette

• Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., McAllister Center, 2351 N. 20th St., Lafayette

• Oct. 21-Oct. 25, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette

• Oct. 22, noon-5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1700 Mitch Daniels Boulevard, West Lafayette

• Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Purdue Co-Rec, 355 N. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette.

• Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., West Point Fire Station, 4949 Indiana 25 S., West Point; Otterbein United Methodist Church, 405 Oxford St., Otterbein; Clarks Hill Christian Church, 9510 Pearl St., Clarks Hill; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette;

• Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette

• Oct. 29-Nov. 1, noon-6 p.m., Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette; Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette; John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette.

• Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette; Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette; John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette.

• Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette

• Nov. 4, 8 a.m.-noon, Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette

ELECTION DAY VOTE CENTERS: Voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will be 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Registered voters in Tippecanoe County may choose any of these sites.

Lafayette

• Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road

• Lafayette Community Church of the Nazarene, 3801 Union St.

• Evangelical Covenant Church, 3600 S. Ninth St.

• Tippecanoe County Historical Association History Center, 522 Columbia St.

• Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South

• Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South

• Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Ave.

West Lafayette

• Faith West Community Center, 1920 Northwestern Ave.

• Margerum City Hall/West Lafayette City Hall, 222 N. Chauncey Ave.

• Connection Point Church, 2541 Cumberland Ave.

• John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road

Others

• Dayton Gathering Point Church, 7201 Wesleyan Drive, Dayton

• Shadeland Town Hall, 2485 Indiana 25 West, Shadeland

• Battle Ground Fire Station, 112 North St., Battle Ground

• Tippecanoe Township Volunteer Fire Station No. 2, 448 W. County Road 650 North, West Lafayette

ON THE BALLOT

Here are candidates and questions on Tippecanoe County ballots for the Nov. 5 general election. (Incumbents are marked with an asterisk*.) To see your specific ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s portal at www.indianavoters.com.

Tippecanoe County

• Commissioner, District 2: David Byers*, R; Steve Mayoras, Libertarian

• Commissioner, District 3: Tom Murtaugh*, R; Jaime Ortiz, Libertarian

• County Council, at-large (choose 3): Republicans: John Basham*, Barry Richard* and Kevin Underwood*. Democrats: Katy Bunder, Ben Carson and Amanda Eldridge. Libertarians: Dean Bertelli, Holly Mayoras and Randy Young

• Coroner: Carrie Costello*, R; Benjamin Milanowski, Libertarian

• Treasurer: Yadira Salazar*, R

• Surveyor: Zach Beasley*, R

• Judge, Circuit Court: Sean Persin*, R

• Judge, Superior Court 6: Michael Morrissey*, R

Statehouse races

• House District 13: Matthew Commons, R; Ed Moyer Jr., D

• House District 26: Chris Campbell*, D; Jim Schenke, R

• House District 27: Sheila Klinker*, D; Oscar Alvarez, R

• House District 38: Heath VanNatter*, R; Carl Seese, D

• House District 41: Mark Genda*, R; Dan Sikes, D

Statewide

• Governor:  Mike Braun, R; Jennifer McCormick, D; Donald Rainwater, Libertarian

• Attorney General: Todd Rokita, R; Destiny Wells, D

Federal

• President: Kamala Harris, D; Donald Trump, R; Chase Oliver, Libertarian; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., We the People

• U.S. House, District 4: Jim Baird*, R; Ashley Groff, Libertarian; Derrick Holder, D;

• U.S. Senate: Jim Banks, R; Valerie McCray, D; Andrew Horning, Libertarian

Townships

• Shadeland Township Board: Michael Kuipers, Pamela Luenz, Robert Morrison Jr. and Josh Shives, R.

• Shadeland Clerk-Treasurer: Charlene Brown, R

School boards

Lafayette School Corp., at-large (choose 3): Ebony Barrett*, Josiah Eller, Margaret Hass, James Hass, Ronald “Rocky” Hession, Gary Mueller and Julie Peretin*.

Tippecanoe School Corp.

• District 4: Jake Burton*

• District 5: Julia Cummings*

• District 6: Connie Harper

• District 7: Brad Anderson*

West Lafayette Community School Corp., at-large (choose 4): Amy Austin*, Maria Koliantz, George Lyle, David Purpura, Beau Scott and Yue Yin*.

Public questions

• Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant?

• Shall Indiana Supreme Court Justice Mark S. Massa be retained in office?

• Shall Indiana Supreme Court Justice Derek Read Molter be retained in office?

• Shall Indiana Supreme Court Justice Loretta Rush be retained in office?

• Shall Indiana Appeals Court Judge Rudolph Reginald Pyle III be retained in office?

Thank you for supporting Based in Lafayette, an independent, local reporting project. Free and full-ride subscription options are ready for you here.

Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.