Candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 13, Matt Commons vs. Ed Moyer Jr.

Matt Commons, a high school teacher who beat state Rep. Sharon Negele in the May Republican primary, faces Edward Moyer Jr., a Democrat from Hillsboro, for the Indiana House District 13 seat.

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

Matt Commons, a high school teacher who beat state Rep. Sharon Negele in the May Republican primary, faces Edward Moyer Jr., an educator and Democrat from Hillsboro, for the Indiana House District 13 seat in the Nov. 5 general election.

The district includes a large part of southern and northern Tippecanoe County, along with all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton and White counties.

Here, the candidates had an opportunity to discuss their approach to the two-year position in the General Assembly. (Note: This Q&A has been updated since initial publication with Moyer’s responses.)

Early voting started Oct. 8.

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

Matt Commons, left, and Ed Moyer Jr. (Photos provided)

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

Matt Commons: Rural Hoosiers deserve a representative who fights for them. As your next state representative, I will always put District 13 first. We will work to restore local control to ensure local Hoosiers are deciding what is best for their communities, not Indianapolis bureaucrats. I am running to be a voice for our district and to fight for our rural communities.

Ed Moyer Jr.: I feel a sense of urgency to get involved civically. We are at an inflection point with our government. I want to make our efforts move upward, away from the craven partisanship we are immersed in currently. I am confident in my ability to work collaboratively with my fellow House colleagues.

Name two of your top priorities for the position. And how will you handle them?

Matt Commons:  In the Statehouse, I will fight to give local Hoosiers the power to decide what is best for their communities. Communities in our district deserve the right to say no to harmful policies and projects, such as carbon sequestration. Second, the state legislature needs to pass a common sense water policy to protect our water resources across the state. The Wabash River and the Teays River is one of the most vital resources to our district. I will work with other legislators to pass legislation that ensures the LEAP project is not draining our river and hurting our communities.

Ed Moyer Jr.: 1. Education. The voucher program is irresponsible to our families of limited means and rips out deserved support for our public schools. The revised diploma puts our students at a severe disadvantage in acceptance at our state universities, let alone any institutions beyond our borders. My over three decades in education put me in a position of knowledge and experience to lead this charge. 2. Natural Resources. Project LEAP, despite a moratorium on further progress, poses an existential threat to the farms of central Indiana. Created and developed with little oversight, this project must be taken back to ground zero in the full light of day. Both of these priorities will be addressed through bipartisan efforts to craft legislation to protect our students and our natural resources. This diploma must restored and reformed quickly.

What, if any, changes do you support to Indiana’s law that includes a near-total ban on abortion?

Matt Commons: I support Indiana’s current pro-life protections. 

Ed Moyer Jr.: I believe in comprehensive reproductive health care for women. Abortion is part of this overall program, and fifty years of judicial precedent overturned by the Supreme Court is simply wrong. We need to honor the will of our citizens and overturn this ban.

Give you an assessment of how the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has handled its role, including with development of the LEAP district in Boone County? What, if any, changes do you support in the powers given to the IEDC?

Matt Commons: Unelected bureaucrats at the IEDC have pushed projects at the expense of our rural communities. The IEDC purchased farmland at an average of $80,000 an acre. Their lack of fiscal responsibility drove up the costs of land and made it difficult for our hardworking farmers to buy farmland at an affordable price. Hoosiers deserve to know how their tax dollars are spent, and I will fight to bring transparency to the IEDC.

Ed Moyer Jr.: This is an incredibly important issue to be taken up by the Indiana Legislature. There appears to have been little to no oversight of the IEDC as it developed this project. There were many assurances about the minimal impact on the farmers of central Indiana, but not much data was given in support. I’ve read the executive summary of the impact study, which provided little hard data about the effects of this project. I need to see the real data and make it both public and understandable.

What, if any, fixes or changes would you propose for Indiana’s property tax system? And how would you balance any cuts in what’s paid by property owners and revenues collected by local governments?

Matt Commons: We need to ensure property taxes are under control and not making it harder for Hoosiers to live out the American dream of owning a home. I support U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s proposal to cap net assessed values on property taxes, and I will work to make it a reality in the legislature.

Ed Moyer Jr.: How can property taxes be formulated equitably, no matter what ZIP code you live in? That is a seminal question facing the state legislature, one that demands serious work by serious people. While I may not have the answers at this point, I am a serious person ready to dive into the work.

Do you support changes proposed in Indiana’s high school diplomas? Why or why not?

Matt Commons: As a teacher, I know firsthand the policies and resources our legislature should be supporting for students to thrive. Schools should be academically preparing our students for college or the workforce. I strongly support schools providing pathway programs and technical skill education to help students prepare for the workforce. Whether a student wants to go to college or begin their career, schools should have the resources to help guide them toward a pathway to success.

Ed Moyer Jr.: As stated before, I am emphatically opposed to the changes made to the state’s high school diploma. Every state institution of higher education has said that students with this diploma would not be qualified for admission. This is simply unacceptable. It’s as if the state board of education wants to keep our young people from achieving levels of university learning, leaving them unqualified for most professional careers. Indiana is currently ranked 49th in the nation for educational achievement. This diploma would put us dead last. As a lifelong educator committed to the transformation of our profession, I cannot let that happen.

Heading into the 2025 budget-making session, what, if anything, would you propose to do with Indiana’s current budget surplus?

Matt Commons: As your state representative, I will focus on helping Hoosiers keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. The state legislature must ensure any use of our budget surplus is fiscally responsible. Indiana’s surplus is largely due to maintaining fiscally conservative policies throughout the past decades. Our state must remain financially healthy, while also avoiding unnecessary tax hikes that hurt Hoosier families. We should look at reducing costs, such as finding solutions to help Hoosiers get off Medicaid, which has become the largest growing line item in the budget. 

Ed Moyer Jr.: Budget priorities should be driven by the needs of the citizenry. One measure of a society is how those less fortunate are reflected by those priorities. Veterans, the elderly, our young, and our disabled all deserve our support. I would propose that our budget surplus be used, in part, to address the needs of these groups.

Name two specific things that separate you from your opponent and why those matter.

Matt Commons: Our district deserves a conservative fighter who will stand up for rural values. As a constitutional conservative, I am committed to defending our God-given and constitutional rights. Throughout this campaign, I have met with Hoosiers from every corner of the district. It is clear our district is ready for a representative who will listen and fight for their needs. I intend to be that voice for rural Hoosiers across our district. 

Ed Moyer Jr.:  My training as a scientist and an educator affords me a unique preparation to carry out the duties of a legislator. I am highly trained in data analysis and representation, the scientific method, and in communication. I am an effective problem-solver, particularly in engineering and modification contexts. Renovating a 100-year-old home requires a nimble and creative mindset, one that I deeply enjoy and ready to apply to the work of governing this state.

CANDIDATE BIOS

Matt Commons

Party: Republican

Age: 33

Occupation: High School Social Studies Teacher

Education background: B.A. Social Studies Education (Purdue), M.A. History (Liberty), M.E. Administration & Leadership (Indiana State)

Past elected positions, if any: Warren County Council, 2018-present 

Community boards or other community leadership and service: Warren County Common Grounds Board member, coach multiple youth sports

Immediate family: Alyssa (wife), 2 sons

Your campaign site online: www.commonsforstatehouse.com 

Edward (Ed) Moyer, Jr.

Party: Democratic

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired Educator (Teacher, Professional Learning, Principal, District Administrator)

Education background: BS, Astrophysics, Indiana University, 1986; MS, Astronomy, University of Arizona, 1992; MS, Educational Leadership, Northern Illinois University, 2006

Past elected positions: Town Council Member, Hillsboro, 2023; Town Council President, Hillsboro 2024

Community boards or other community leadership and service: Quarknet Advisory Board, Fermilab National Laboratory, 2000-2021

Immediate family: Holly (spouse); Hannah and Ben (children), Olivia, Jason and Ellyssa (stepchildren)

Your campaign site online: moyerforin13.net

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?

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