Candidate Q&A: Indiana House District 41, Mark Genda vs. Dan Sikes

State Rep. Mark Genda, a Republican from Frankfort first elected to the General Assembly in 2022, faces Democrat Dan Sikes on the Nov. 5 ballot in Indiana House District 41.

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

Dan Sikes, left, and Mark Genda

State Rep. Mark Genda, a Republican from Frankfort first elected to the General Assembly in 2022, faces Democrat Dan Sikes on the Nov. 5 ballot in Indiana House District 41.

The district includes a large part of southeastern Tippecanoe County, along with parts of Clinton and Boone counties.

Here, Genda and Sikes discuss their approach to the two-year position in the General Assembly.

• 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?

Mark Genda: Two of my best strengths are listening to people and solving problems. Both skills are needed to find common ground. I have used both skills throughout the last two years serving as District 41’s state representative. Additionally, I better understand how to navigate in government during my time in the role.

Dan Sikes: The LEAP project initially is what started my run for office. But in my time campaigning and talking to the people of District 41, going to their festivals, town halls and learning what is going on in their communities. In that time, I have learned so much about the needs in each town. So, my answer to why am I running, to help my fellow Hoosiers have clean drinking water, help keep the small rural towns from dying.

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

Mark Genda: The statewide need for workforce resources. I recently wrote a letter in support of an investment company building workforce housing in Lebanon. Additionally, I have been working on a daycare for workers in Clinton County. I hope the groundwork in District 41 can be a blueprint for communities across Indiana.

Dan Sikes: My first priority is to shut down the LEAP project, which will take a bipartisan solution. I am aware the wheels are already rolling on the LEAP district, but there needs to be more oversight and guidance in Lebanon. I am all for progress, but I do not want to see one city suffer so another can thrive. My second priority is to fight for a restructure of the Indiana Choice scholarship program. Public education in just the district alone has lost over $28 million in the last seven years due to the vouchers being sent to private schools. Those schools do not work off of the same curriculum that public education does. Private education is not struggling, but public education is.

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

Mark Genda: I wasn’t in office when the current laws on abortion were passed. I can only believe that the lawmakers at the time represented the majority of their constituents when casting their votes. Since taking office, I have not had any majority position change in my district. I am a pro-life candidate.

Dan Sikes: The only answer to give is, a woman's body is her choice, and I stand with reproductive freedom!

Give your 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?

Mark Genda: I would like to see a legislative position on the board of the IEDC for oversight of future projects.

Dan Sikes: The IEDC needs a leash put on it, with spending more and more of the taxpayers money to buy farmland to turn around and sell it to large corporations which would be given tax breaks, which are then passed down to the taxpayer. There needs to be a committee of qualified citizens along with bipartisan representation to oversee the IEDC’s practices. Indiana has been an agricultural state, we need to keep it that way and not turn the state into a failing business.

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?

Mark Genda: The number one constituent statement I have encountered is “lower my property taxes.” The reality of lowering property taxes is a drop in funding for local taxing units. The state needs to look at other funding sources to fill in the gaps.

Dan Sikes: I like Jennifer McCormick’s property tax plan. All homeowners would see the maximum homeowner property tax deduction increase from $2,500 to $3,500. She also proposes growing the exemption for state and local income taxes from $1,000 to $2,500.

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

Mark Genda: I believe the intent of the new diploma has strong merits. I am a product of a trade school setting which resulted in a very fulfilling career. I strongly support the trades as a major impact on the quality of life for all Hoosiers. I believe this is a great first step but deserves a second look to ensure that we are providing the best opportunity for our Indiana students.

Dan Sikes: We have gone so far away from having a well-rounded education system, due to lack of funding to public education. I was happy to see the GPS diplomas dropped, a new type of learning system that was created in another country is not the answer to our education issues. As a state, we need to focus more on education, meaning more money needs to be put back into it.

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

Mark Genda: Any budget surplus should go to reducing the debt to the teacher’s retirement fund or return to taxpayers.

Dan Sikes: Public education needs all the help it can get. Not all of the surplus should go into it, but a large amount needs to go there. I would also like to see the surplus go into the rural towns that need a new water infrastructure. The small towns are dying and they need the state’s help. Let’s actually look out for our fellow Hoosiers and give a better living.

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

Mark Genda: In serving two years as a state representative, I’ve built positive relationships to bring improvements to District 41 and the state of Indiana. Additionally, being a business owner for over 30 years has given me the experience to know the complexities of working through issues.

Dan Sikes: Rep. Genda is not around the district. I have spoken to the people of the communities, I have learned what is going on and what things need addressed. I heard repeatedly how they can never reach Genda or his lack of response. I spoke to a Navy veteran in Colfax and he stated that he has called, emailed and sent letters to state officials, including Genda, asking for a simple document that needs to be signed by a state official so he can get VA benefits due to an error in the VA system. No response has been given to him in the last eight months. So one big difference, I will actually be there for the people of District 41 and do everything in my power to help them. The last thing that separates me from Genda is I believe in giving the voters a chance to hear what the candidates or elected officials plan to do in their terms. The best way to do that is to have a debate to see where they stand on issues. I am more than ready to debate and have the courage to stand in front of the voters and let them see who the best fit for the job is. I have asked Genda for a debate, and he turned me down. He called it "click bait.”

CANDIDATE BIOS

Mark Genda

Party: Republican

Age: 61

Occupation: Licensed Funeral Director; Owner, Genda Rentals; past 30-year owner of Genda Funeral Homes

Education: Frankfort Senior High School, 1981, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, 1984

Past Elected Positions: Community Schools of Frankfort, two terms (eight years); Indiana State Representative, one term (2022-2024)

Community Leadership and Service: St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Paul Phillippee Senior Center, and PIP Board of Clinton County

Dan Sikes

Party: Democratic

Age: 40

Occupation: Office Manager at Reliable Exterminators

Education background: Associates in Business Mgt at Ivy Tech, Bachelors in Business at Rasmussen, and MBA from Purdue 

Past elected positions, if any: None

Community boards or other community leadership and service: None

Immediate family: Edward Sikes (father), Sara Milligan (partner), Henry Milligan (step-son)

Your campaign site online: citizensfordan.org

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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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