Primary candidate Q&A: Tippecanoe County Council, the Democrats
Five Democrats and five Republicans are looking for nominations to be on the November ballot, going for three at-large seats on the Tippecanoe County Council. Here’s a look at the Democratic field.
This is part of a series of Q&As with candidates in contested races in the May 7 primary in Tippecanoe County.
Five Democrats are competing in the May 7 primary for three slots on the November ballot for at-large seats on the Tippecanoe County Council.
They are: Katy Bunder, Ben Carson, Amanda Eldridge, Joe Mackey and Wendy Starr.
The three top Democratic candidates on May 7 will face the winners in the Republican primary, which includes incumbents John Basham, Barry Richard and Kevin Underwood, along with challengers Dan Dunten and Paige Britton.
The county council oversees the county’s budget and other fiscal matters.
Early voting started April 9.
Here, the Democratic candidates running for Tippecanoe County Council 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 and in this particular race for political office?
Katy O’Malley Bunder: I have always been interested in politics. I majored in Political Science in college. I have a longstanding interest in local politics, having worked to preserve the New Chauncey Neighborhood for 30 years. After my retirement from Food Finders in 2022, many individuals encouraged me to run for office. The water pipeline issue solidified my interest in getting involved. I am particularly interested in serving on the County Council because my experience managing large budgets and working with USDA and state auditors will help me learn how to influence county policy through the budget approval process.
Ben Carson: I decided to run for office because I want to give back to a community that has given me so much. Growing up, I was able to learn from my dad working for the city of Lafayette, my brother interning for Sheila Klinker, my mom as a nurse at Home Hospital, and my sister an advertising art director, who all taught me the value of one person's impact on people around them. We face many challenges, ranging from rising housing prices to mental health services, and I want to use my education and expertise to make sure we solve them.
Amanda Eldridge: I am running for County Council at large for a multitude of different reasons. One reason is to give a seat at the table for smaller towns in our county, such as Battle Ground. There will be development in smaller areas, Battle Ground especially, and there must be representation from the smaller communities to make sure that they are not left out. Another reason is that I’ve worked at the county level and understand how the council directly impacts resources, programs and the livelihoods of county residents.
Joe Mackey: My commitment to public service, strong advocacy for community representation and a passion for innovative problem solving set me apart. I aspire to lead with transparency and inclusivity, prioritizing issues that affect all of us today and the ones we will face together in our shared future. Engaging with our community inspires trust in government and provides our community the opportunity to embrace change and not resent it.
Wendy Starr: People have suggested a run several times throughout the years. My children were younger, and we were growing a business. My youngest goes to college in the fall. This appears to be the right time for change. Current day issues need fresh ideas and new solutions. My background as a small business owner, familiarity and experience with many departments in Tippecanoe County, and proven dedication to the community are examples of hard work and creative problem-solving skills as Tippecanoe County grows.
Name two of your top priorities for the elected position. And how will you handle them?
Katy O’Malley Bunder: 1. Growth and development that does not further compromise the environment and create urban sprawl. We have a shortage of housing but pop-up housing that will damage the environment and stress infrastructure is a short-sighted response to the problem. I will support land use planning, incentives for responsible developers, investment in existing neighborhoods and transparency in the development process. 2. More support for social services. Our community will be better and safer for everyone if we take care of those facing, hunger, homelessness and mental and physical health problems. I will support allocating public funding to enable social service agencies to do more for those in need.
Ben Carson: Two of my top priorities are addressing the ongoing housing challenge, and ensuring adequate funding for mental health services and emergency response services. Although the housing challenge is multifaceted and complex, there are straightforward avenues the county should do more to pursue, such as using more of our county council funds to contractually incentivize development plans for more mixed income and low-income senior housing. Similarly, while the county has done substantial work funding mental health and emergency response services, we continue to face shortages in social workers, mental health professionals and first responders, which can be addressed by the council.
Amanda Eldridge: One top priority would be to support public safety programs in the community, especially focusing on mental health and healthcare. The county is only continuing to expand and services will need to be supported to meet the increased demand. I would like to see coalitions between different agencies and organizations to help educate the community but also try to focus on putting as many services under one roof as possible to alleviate transportation burdens and to limit the amount of time a person would need to make all the appointments. Another top priority would be to support greener initiatives within the county, including solar, wind and electric vehicles. I would support green space initiatives, but not just park areas. I would like to see more areas like the Celery Bog Nature Area that would not only support the environment but also be used as education to highlight how important spaces like this are.
Joe Mackey: Recognizing the importance of our limited natural resources, I emphasize the need for a delicate balance between our community’s resources and the growing demand placed upon them, particularly with regards to water and tillable land. Protecting these resources is crucial for the sustainable development of Tippecanoe County.
Wendy Starr: Attainable Housing: Expand infrastructure. I will work with Economic Development and other departments to set a responsible and considerable budget for infrastructure expansion. As Tippecanoe County continues to attract national and international businesses, the incoming and existing workforce needs a variety of housing options. Sewer and water hookups are the one of the largest expenses associated with development. Public Safety: Attract, Train and Retain. The county has staff vacancies of 25%-30% for departments that protect our residents due to growing pains. My nearly 30 years of experience in staffing and HR provides an insight to expenses related to competitive pay, training and retention policies.
What’s one thing you believe the county underfunds now? Why? And how would you propose to change that while keeping a balanced county budget?
Katy O’Malley Bunder: I would like to see more funding directed to social service agencies that work to provide basic needs and serve those struggling with mental health and addiction. We need more mental health care providers for children. This investment would benefit those served as well as reduce pressure on law enforcement.
Ben Carson: The two areas I mentioned above would qualify for this question, but an additional answer is public safety. The No. 1 goal of taxpayer dollars is to use that money in a way that best promotes the general welfare of all people in the community. Public safety is a major pillar in that challenge. The Tippecanoe County Council should make use of the funds it already has by directing more of them towards public safety staffing needs, such as Youth Development Specialists, Merit Deputies, and Outreach Services within Community Corrections that help transform and rehabilitate the lives of our citizens.
Amanda Eldridge: I believe that the county is underfunding employment opportunities in the county and that is creating higher workloads and could be impacting retention rates with different departments. One change that I would propose is to look to see if there are potential benefits that could be offered to existing employees and that could entice new employees. It is more costly to continuously train new employees than to find solutions to retain people who have knowledge and experience.
Joe Mackey: In the face of growth, public safety becomes a paramount concern. I acknowledge the constant challenges that arise and stress the necessity of ongoing diligence to adapt to these changes effectively. Smart growth practices are essential in our county, ensuring a sustainable and high quality of life for Tippecanoe residents.
Wendy Starr: Public Safety: Sheriff's Department, Ambulance Services. The county must prepare for the additional growth now to maintain a healthy balance for the next generation. Allocate funding to create organizational culture that increases retention rates by attracting and training specialized staff with unique ideas. Eventually reducing the overall cost associated with high turnover.
County commissioners have a temporary moratorium on high-volume wells and some water transfers, as defense against the LEAP pipeline concept. Is that the correct approach for the county to take? And, as a council member, would you vote to pay for legal fees to fight pipeline construction, and to what extent? Is that a winnable situation?
Katy O’Malley Bunder: I would support maintaining the moratorium until we have information from independent hydrologists, referencing multi-year research, that proves that the Teays Aquifer and the Wabash River would not be damaged by pumping 100,000 million gallons of water, daily, to Lebanon. I would vote to pay legal fees to defend our water supply if I was convinced that we could win a court battle.
Ben Carson: First, I think it's important that as many Hoosiers as possible wake up to how premeditated and underhanded the Republican Leadership at the state-level/IEDC has behaved with the planned development in Lebanon. I applaud and support the County Commissioners for taking a stand, but Indiana law is set up in a way that makes it very difficult to establish local water control. I support the ongoing approach to find a winnable legal avenue, but we need to also think about how to stop things like this from happening again in the long term.
Amanda Eldridge: Concerning the LEAP pipeline project, I think at the moment we need to be looking at different options and wait for the results from the water study. There is no question that we need water protection in Indiana, but that most likely will have to be tackled at the state level. I would like to encourage Hoosiers to reach out to their state representative and senator to show their support for legislation that not only protects water from situations like the LEAP project but also protects water quality and safety. Locally, the temporary moratorium on high-volume wells and some water transfers is at least a starting point. I am not against a potential lawsuit if it is an option, but I hope to develop a coalition with surrounding cities, townships and counties to work together.
Joe Mackey: Slowing down this near sighted and narrow vision of the future is the right initial response. I would vote to pay legal fees all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. We have credible hydrologists from Purdue University telling the public we need a 10-year study of our aquifers to fully understand the ramifications of extremely large extractions of a limited and vital resource. The state government is offering a one-year study. I understand the propensity of our Republican supermajority state government to set aside the opinions and wishes of local governments, the public in general and trained professionals to pursue shortsighted goals which will hurt Tippecanoe County and its neighbors in the long run.
Wendy Starr: I support any effort Tippecanoe County takes to further protect the water supply locally. I refuse to believe this is unwinnable until every avenue is exhausted.
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?
Katy O’Malley Bunder: C-minus. Tippecanoe County is a desirable place to live we must demand more of those investing in our community. New shopping centers, apartment buildings and homes are not constructed unless a high return on investment is anticipated. Residential developments should have parks, sidewalks and safe access built by those who will profit from the development.
Ben Carson: I would give our county a C-plus. There are many things that the county has done well, including balancing land use for residential areas and maintaining adequate farmland space, which is also reflected in the data, as homeownership rates have been increasing since the 2012-2015 period where they saw a steady decline. However, as a GreenStreet analysis of Tippecanoe County Housing Data recently found, we are hamstrung by "circuit breaker tax caps" that could otherwise be used to incentivize better land use and household planning, such as development aimed at affordability and quality for those who need it the most.
Amanda Eldridge: I would rank the current approach to residential and commercial growth beyond the city limits of Lafayette and West Lafayette as a C-minus. In living in Battle Ground, it feels that areas outside of the city limits are forgotten when it comes to smart planning of development. There is a housing shortage in our community, but there are other shortages as well, such as food deserts. I would like to place a focus on making sure that the county is being smart with its planning by not only supporting more residential space but also amenities to support it without adding more stress on existing areas to accommodate the increased population. I would also like to focus on expanding public transportation further in the county to help address transportation barriers.
Joe Mackey: The housing crisis Tippecanoe County is experiencing is not just a local issue. It stretches across the country. I see apartment developments as the short-term answer to a longer-term issue. Innovation in residential development is on the horizon and I believe will provide Tippecanoe the answers to our housing challenges. We must work with our strategic partners to provide residents with incentives for relocation and first time home purchases. This idea is not novel, it is being done in other cities across Indiana.
Wendy Starr: B-minus. The county recently approved a comprehensive land use plan for Wabash and Tippecanoe townships. We either need to stop attracting new business to our community or start building more houses, townhomes, etc. Developers and the municipalities need to collaborate earlier in the land search process to ensure the land use plan is considered and eliminate unnecessary barriers. An array of housing must be available for a variety of residents from entry-level workers to management level employees.
Do you agree with the way the county has offered financial incentives to attract economic development projects? Is it too much, too little, just right? And what, if anything, would you change?
Katy O’Malley Bunder: From my short tenure on the West Lafayette Economic Development Commission, I have been impressed by the structure of the financial incentives offered to developers. Recognizing that we are a desirable location for new businesses, we must closely monitor the incentive packages offered to ensure that real benefit is provided to the county and the environment is not damaged.
Ben Carson: Overall, the county, in coordination with our two cities, has done a good job of attracting strong economic development, and the data reflects it. Our county outpaces Indiana averages on labor force participation rate and education rate. And we have seen a lot of success stories, such as the new Caterpillar development coming to Lafayette or the recent Evonik development in Shadeland. Rather than try to change what is largely working on this front, the County Council should direct its attention toward ensuring adequate planning for housing and community resources to accompany the changes these developments have on our community.
Amanda Eldridge: I am still learning about the financial incentives that the county uses to attract economic development projects. I do know that I would support financial incentives that were attractive but did not place an undue burden on the county and focus on working to support greener projects coming to Tippecanoe County.
Joe Mackey: Financial incentives are simply the way government works today. Tippecanoe is not just competing with neighboring counties and states when looking to attract business. We now are competing globally. I believe incentivization when carried out over zealously is detrimental to our community. We must be steadfastly focused on the kinds of businesses we wish to attract. To me this means preventing the quasi-private IEDC from seizing control of Tippecanoe areas such as the Purdue Research Park. Tippecanoe County must not fall prey to outside influencers seeking to fill empty areas.
Wendy Starr: Each situation should be a case-by-case scenario. Economic development should also be incentivizing ancillary businesses, housing and services in the immediate vicinity of the project location.
Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents and why they matter.
Katy O’Malley Bunder: 1. Experience. I directed Food Finders for 14 years increasing food distribution by 300%, by adding and expanding programs that made it easier for people to find food. Working with diverse stakeholders, in 16 counties, I guided a change in the way food was distributed. I oversaw a budget that grew to $19 million and raised money to purchase and renovate three new buildings. 2. Experience. I founded, New Chauncey Housing, Inc., a nonprofit neighborhood-based housing corporation to create homeownership opportunities for first time homebuyers. I worked at Purdue University as a counselor and administrator for more than 20 years.
Ben Carson: First, I think my youth is an asset, not a liability. It's important to get fresh faces in politics that are willing to listen, learn, and offer a new perspective. Similarly, I have the energy to fight for the interests of everyone, and to connect with as many people in the community as possible. Second, I bring a unique professional background to the table. As a former teacher, current business owner and member of the West Lafayette Board of Works, I understand how people, businesses, and the government operate — critical skills for a member of the county's fiscal body.
Amanda Eldridge: One thing that separates me from my opponents is that I have experience working at the county level and understanding the direct impact of the County Council. This matters because I will take the time to think through how this will impact my community both in the short and long term. The second thing that separates me from my opponents is my background in the criminal justice system and the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from it. This experience has allowed me to understand how communities can be impacted by whether they have the resources and a supportive infrastructure.
Joe Mackey: Currently, I am the only candidate in my party’s primary that has won votes in Tippecanoe County. In 2020 I won just shy of 34,000 votes. If those who supported me in 2020 show up at the polls I can win a seat on the Tippecanoe County Council. Secondly, I am the only candidate in my party’s primary to live on a well. Those of us living on wells have a particular interest in protecting our limited water resource and I intend to be their voice in government.
Wendy Starr: Direct knowledge and experience of public safety and economic development departments through business or volunteerism. Small business owner and HR professional.
Candidate bios
Katy O’Malley Bunder
Party: Democratic
Age: 66
Occupation: Retired CEO of Food Finders Food Bank, former CEO of New Chauncey Housing, Inc., former Associate Director of Admissions for Master’s Programs in Krannert School of Management
Education: BA Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Lynchburg, Virginia; M Ed University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia; Certificate of Non-profit Management, Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy
Past Elected Positions: None
Community Boards, Leadership, Service: Parent Council President, Happy Hollow Elementary; President ,New Chauncey Neighborhood Association; Executive Director, New Chauncey Housing, Inc. (volunteer for six years); President, United Way Directors Association; Treasurer, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry; Secretary, West Lafayette Economic Development Commission (2022-2024); Member, West Lafayette Enrichment Foundation (currently serving)
Immediate Family: Husband Peter Bunder, daughter Molly Bunder (Chicago, actor), daughter Emily Bunder Gilhooly (Indianapolis, marketing consultant). Three grandchildren ages 6, 2 and 2.
Campaign Site: katyforcouncil.weebly.com
Ben Carson
Party: Democratic
Age: 29
Occupation: (Currently) Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of an Education Technology Company. (Formerly) Middle School and High School teacher.
Education: B.A. from Purdue University
Past elected positions, if any: None
Community boards or other community leadership and service: I'm a sitting member of the West Lafayette Board of Works, appointed by Erin Easter, and an event coordinator for Tippecanoe's Diversity Roundtable. I've also worked for the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette and MatchBOX Coworking studio, and volunteered for FIRST Robotics and Boy Scouts of America.
Immediate family: Dennis and Diane Carson (parents), Nick Carson (brother), McKailey Carson (Sister)
Your campaign site online:
Amanda Eldridge
Party: Democratic
Age: 35
Occupation: Purdue University
Education: BA of Criminal Justice for Indiana University, MSCJ from Boston University
Past elected positions, if any: N/A
Community boards or other community leadership and service: N/A
Immediate family: My immediate family would be my parents, Brent and Denise Eldridge. I have one younger brother who is married with two children.
Your campaign site online: www.electeldridge.com
Joe Mackey
Party: Democratic
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired Machinist
Education: On the Job
Past elected positions, if any: n/a
Community boards or other community leadership and service: Founder, Mackey Children’s Cancer Foundation, 2015- present; member, Advisory Board National Football Foundation Joe Tiller Chapter
Immediate family: Wife Tami (36 years), son Connor Mackey, daughter-in-law Nazanin Soleimany
Your campaign site online: www.joe4council.com
Wendy Starr
Party: Democratic
Age: 55
Occupation: Small Business Owner/HR Professional
Education: University of Akron, 2 years, Special Education; IVY Tech, 2 years - Business Administration; National HR Certifications, PHR, SHRM-CP
Past elected positions, if any: None
Community boards or other community leadership and service: Previous American Red Cross: Central Indiana Board Chair, Government Liaison, Public Affairs, Disaster Team Leader. BAGL: Current Board Member, Previous Workforce Development Board Chair and a founding member of the C2E Expo. OASIS Community: Current Board Member, Construction Committee Chair, HR Committee Chair, Other - GLC committees, TCAP, BNI
Immediate family: Husband: Todd Starr, PS, BS CMT at Purdue University, Co-Owner of Starr Associates, Purdue Adjust Faculty in CMT. Daughters: Brielle Starr, Biology BS Ball State, works at Purdue Vet Hospital; Anessa Starr, attending USI in the fall as a bio-chem major
Your campaign site online: https://www.facebook.com/wendystarrfortippecanoecouncil
ABOUT THE MAY 7 PRIMARY
Early voting ahead of the May 7 primary election started April 9 with contested races on Tippecanoe County ballots for governor, U.S. House, several Indiana General Assembly seats, Tippecanoe County commissioner and Tippecanoe County Council at-large seats. A few things to know:
The candidates and races: For a look at all the candidates who will be on Republican and Democratic ballots in the May 7 primary in Tippecanoe County, check here.
Voter registration/ballots: To check your voter registration and to see candidates who will be on your R or D ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s portal at www.indianavoters.com.
Early voting sites: In Tippecanoe County, registered voters may cast their ballot at any vote center.
Starting April 9: Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette. Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays (April 9-12; April 15-19; April 22-26; April 19-May 3); 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and Saturday, May 4; and 8 a.m.-noon Monday, May 6.
April 25: Black Cultural Center at Purdue, 1100 Third St., West Lafayette. Hours: Noon-6 p.m.
April 27: West Point Fire Station, 4949 Indiana 25 South, West Point; Clarks Hill Christian Church, 9510 Pearl St., Clarks Hill; and Otterbein United Methodist Church, 405 E. Oxford St., Otterbein. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 30-May 4: Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette; John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette; Eastside Assembly of God Church, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette; Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South, Lafayette. Hours: noon-6 p.m. April 30-May 3; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 4.
Election Day vote centers: Voting on Tuesday, May 7, will be 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Registered voters in Tippecanoe County may choose any of these sites.
Lafayette
Evangelical Covenant Church, 3600 S. Ninth St.
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road
Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Ave.
Lafayette Community Church of the Nazarene, 3801 Union St.
Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South
Tippecanoe County Historical Association History Center, 522 Columbia St.
Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South
West Lafayette
John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road
Faith West Community Center, 1920 Northwestern Ave.
West Lafayette City Hall, 222 N. Chauncey Ave.
Outside Lafayette/West Lafayette
Wabash Township Fire Station No. 1, 2899 Klondike Road
Tippecanoe Township Fire Station No. 2, 448 W. County Road 650 North
Battle Ground Fire Station, 112 North St., Battle Ground
Dayton Gathering Point Church, 7201 Wesleyan Drive, Dayton
Shadeland Town Hall, 2584 Indiana 25 West
On the ballot: Here are candidates who have filed or have indicated they plan to file in Tippecanoe County races ahead of the May 7 primary.
Tippecanoe County
Commissioner, District 2: David Byers* and Jeff Findley, R; Steven Mayoras, Libertarian; Wissam Nour, Independent
Commissioner, District 3: Tom Murtaugh*, R; Jaime Ortiz, Libertarian
County Council, at-large (3): Republicans: John Basham*, Paige Britton, Dan Dunten, Barry Richard* and Kevin Underwood*. Democrats: Katy Bunder, Ben Carson, Amanda Eldridge, Joe Mackey and Wendy Starr.
Coroner: Carrie Costello*, R
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 and Sharon Negele*, 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* and Jason Gossard, R
House District 41: Mark Genda* and Joe Sturm, R; Dan Sikes, D
Statewide
Governor: Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour, R; Jennifer McCormick, D
Federal
U.S. House, District 4: Jim Baird*, Charles Bookwalter and John Piper, R; Rimpi Girn and Derrick Holder, D
U.S. Senate: Jim Banks, R; Valerie McCray and Marc Carmichael, D
Townships
Shadeland Township Board: Michael Kuipers, Pamela Luenz, Robert Morrison Jr. and Josh Shives, R.
Shadeland Clerk-Treasurer: Charlene Brown, R
The general election also will include these, with filing deadlines this summer …
School boards: Lafayette School Corp., three at-large seats; Tippecanoe School Corp. seats in District 4, District 5, District 6 and District 7; and West Lafayette Community School Corp, four at-large seats.
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