Primary candidate Q&A: U.S. House 4th District, Republicans

Two Republicans – Charles Bookwalter and John Piper – are challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Baird in the May 7 primary in Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District.

This is part of a series of Q&As with candidates in contested races in the May 7 primary in Tippecanoe County.

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Charles Bookwalter, left, and Jim Baird.

U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, seeking a fourth term in Congress, faces a challenge from two Republicans in the May 7 primary in Indiana’s 4^th District.

Charles Bookwalter, a business owner from Thorntown, will be on the ballot after being knocked off in 2022 when Republicans challenged him under the state’s two-primary rule. John Piper also will be on the Republican ballot.

The 4th District takes in much of west-central Indiana, including Tippecanoe and surrounding counties.

The winner in the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Rimpi Girn and Derrick Holder.

Early voting started April 9.

Here, Baird and Bookwalter discuss their approach to the two-year position in the U.S. House of Representatives. Note: Piper did not respond.

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

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Why do you want this job? Why are you running now and in this particular race for political office?

Jim Baird: I want this job because I’m the only candidate with a proven track record of being pro-life, pro-Israel and supporter of the Second Amendment. If you only remember one thing about me, I want you to remember that I care about this country. As a Vietnam combat veteran, I lost my arm fighting communism. And as long as they are openly talking about socialism on the House floor, I am here to fight again.

Charles Bookwalter: The person who now has this job, Rep. Jim Baird, has failed and must be replaced. Baird just voted for the $1.2 trillion budget bill that includes funding for Biden's Green New Deal, the failing war in Ukraine, the corrupt World Health Organization, DEI programs in several states and an extra $200 million for the FBI to build a new headquarters – rewarding the agency that illegally spied on the Trump campaign and perpetrated the Trump-Russia Hoax to try to bring down the president. It's not that this is a job that I've long sought. It's that our country is unraveling before our eyes and Baird, along with many other Republicans in Congress, is doing nothing to stop it and is in fact hastening the collapse. I will not vote for these outrageous budget bills while failing to secure our border. I will use my voice and my vote to fight to slash federal spending, to defund corrupt federal agencies, to push for peace in Ukraine and peace in the Middle East and to defend the liberties of all Americans. Serving in Congress is not an ambition – I would treat it as a solemn duty to do the hard work that must be done if the Republic is to survive another 100 years.

John Piper: Did not respond.

Name two of your top priorities if you’re in the Congress for the next two years? And how will you handle them or get them done?

Jim Baird: My top two priorities for next Congress are to secure our southern border and lower inflation. Our border is a national security crisis due to this administration’s open border policies. It’s allowing deadly drugs like Fentanyl, which kill tens of thousands of Americans every year, and guns and crime to pour into our country. We must reinstate Trump’s border policies and finish building the wall. Fighting inflation is also a top priority because Americans are struggling to afford everyday items like gas and groceries.  When Biden took office, inflation was just 1.4%, but thanks to his administration’s big government spending, inflation skyrocketed to more than 9%. This resulted in Hoosiers spending more of their hard-earned money and getting less in return. Next Congress, Republicans will lower inflation by unleashing American energy and returning our country to being energy independent once again.

Charles Bookwalter: My top two areas of focus as a member of Congress would be 1.) Making massive cuts in federal spending and 2.) Getting our nation out of wars that have nothing to do with our national security. I will also draft, introduce and work to pass two bills in my first term: 1.  A bill to make Election Day a national holiday and to require that all voting in federal elections take place in the precincts, on Election Day, and on paper ballots, with exceptions only for those who can't physically get to the polls. 2.  A bill to restore legal liability for vaccine makers. Vaccine manufacturers were exempted from legal liability for injuries and deaths caused by their products by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. This law must be changed in order to ensure that only truly safe and effective vaccines are produced and marketed. 

John Piper: Did not respond.

What is the biggest challenge facing the nation in the next two years? How would you propose to solve or deal with it as a member of the U.S. House?

Jim Baird: The biggest challenge our nation is facing, is the crisis at our southern border. This administration has allowed more than 8 million illegal immigrants to pour into our country with little to no vetting, overwhelming our schools, healthcare facilities and flooding our communities with narcotics, fentanyl and crime. We must reinstate Trump’s border policies, build the wall and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Charles Bookwalter: The biggest challenge will be to assert the will of the people, through their elected representatives. The federal bureaucracy, the permanent state, has become corrupt and must be constrained. Congress has the power of the purse, and therefore the responsibility to dramatically reduce federal funding. I would not vote for any spending bills that don't dramatically cut the budgets of federal agencies. I will also fight to defund the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, the FBI and the ATF.

John Piper: Did not respond.

What, if any changes, would you propose to U.S. border and immigration policies?

Jim Baird: The changes Biden should make to U.S. Border and Immigration policies are simple: finish the border wall, enforce the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and reinstate asylum agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The previous administration had these policies in place which resulted in the most secure border in our nation’s history. Unfortunately, Biden undid these policies day one of his administration paving the way to the crisis we find ourselves in today.

Charles Bookwalter: I would propose in the short term to allow states to control their borders with Mexico and Canada. In terms of a longer-term solution, I would support the reinstatement of Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy.  I would not support any foreign aid to any nation until our own nation's borders are secure and illegal immigrants living in our country have been deported. I would support closing military bases abroad, bringing our troops home and securing our border. 

John Piper: Did not respond.

Would you back a national law on access to abortion? And what would that law do, either to restrict or grant more access?

Jim Baird: Let me first make clear that I am a staunch supporter of protecting the unborn and have an “A” rating on the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life scorecard. But having said that, I would not support a national law on access to abortion because I believe the issue of abortion belongs to the states and that the Supreme Court was correct in 2022 when it overturned Roe v. Wade because there is no constitutional right to an abortion. This decision belongs with the American people and their state governments.

Charles Bookwalter: Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, abortion is now where it should be – at the state level. I would not advocate for a federal ban on abortion, but if serving in Congress and such a ban were to be voted on, I would most likely support it. 

John Piper: Did not respond.

What’s the best thing Congress can do to improve access to quality health care? And how would you propose getting that done?

Jim Baird: I believe the keys to improve access and affordability to health care are achieved through innovation and competition in the free market. That’s why I supported, and the House passed, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which would lower health care costs and increase price transparency for patients. This legislation also maintains pro-life protections, like the Hyde amendment, and the cost of the bill was fully offset and would reduce the deficit by more than $700 million. I’m working hard every day to ensure the Senate and President support this legislation and it becomes law.

Charles Bookwalter: The best thing Congress could do to improve access to quality healthcare would be to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which made health care completely unaffordable for most Americans and because of paperwork requirements, pushed many private doctors offices in our state to join large healthcare corporations. Congress should also pass legislation making Medical Savings Accounts much more widely available and encourage Americans to use them to save for regular healthcare expenses, while buying catastrophic health insurance policies to cover the high cost of treating cancer or chronic disease or paying for major surgeries. Doing these two things, and shifting us back to a private-payer system would lead to a dramatic reduction in healthcare costs and a healthier nation.

John Piper: Did not respond.

What, if anything, should Congress do to deal with questions about climate change?

Jim Baird: If there’s one thing Congress should do regarding climate change, it would be to remove the fearmongering and politicization. In 2019, a prominent Democrat said if we do not address climate change, the world was going to end in 12 years. This type of rhetoric only invites more division and further polarizes us as a nation. The fact is our climate has constantly changed over the course of our planet’s history and humans have been able to adapt and thrive for millions of years – and we will continue to do so. But the climate in which Americans cannot adapt and thrive is one where career bureaucrats and politicians promise they are going to end fossil fuels and subsidize industries like electric cars, solar, and wind before the markets mature. Unfortunately, this administration has done exactly that, which has resulted in record gas, grocery and housing prices hurting Americans ability to thrive in any environment.

Charles Bookwalter: Nothing. I don't believe that Congress has a role in moderating or changing the climate of the earth or any ability to stop any change that may be occurring. I would work to defund any green energy legislation that incentivizes, through federal subsidies, solar and wind or carbon sequestration projects.

John Piper: Did not respond.

Communities across the 4^th District have formally protested the proposed development of a pipeline to take water from aquifer near the Wabash River to supply water to the LEAP district in Boone County. What, if anything, should be done from a U.S. representative’s level to either encourage, regulate or stop a proposed pipeline, whether where it was initial proposed in western Tippecanoe County or in other parts of the state? 

Jim Baird: From a federal level, we need to encourage local engagement and transparency from those involved in the project. Transparency and accountability are essential. Currently, under Indiana law, water rights belong to whoever own the ground above, which is great for private property when looking to tap a well for their home. However, understanding the fluidity of the water in the aquifer, especially when over 100 million gallons a day could be extracted and not returned is a concern. This is why we should also encourage the independent hydrologist investigation into the water aquifer and ensure the public is informed of their findings immediately. 

Charles Bookwalter: What Rep. Jim Baird should have been doing is standing with the people of Tippecanoe and Boone counties in insisting that their voices be heard and concerns addressed long before any decisions were made about the LEAP project and the proposed pipeline. And what he should have done was to speak out against the Indiana Economic Development Corporation once he learned of its determination to impose something on our communities that we do not want. He also should have supported them in their call for the IEDC to be disbanded. Jim Baird did none of these things. At every stage in this, he supported the interests of big government and big business over the interests of the local communities and over the interests of the environment. He voted for the CHIPS act. Then he remained silent as the IEDC moved in with its plans for LEAP and the pipeline, telling our local representatives that there was no role for them in deciding what was to be built and where. Though the issue is now mostly a state issue, Baird has had a powerful platform as a member of Congress, and could have been an advocate for citizens, for communities and for local control. He hasn't been. He's been totally silent. As your Congressman, I would absolutely oppose these top-down schemes that rob citizens and their local elected officials of their sovereignty. I would support the right of local communities to work to attract certain businesses, if they so choose, and believe ultimately it's up to the free market to determine which businesses open where. I would never remain silent as a community in the district is threatened with the theft of an important resource like water.

John Piper: Did not respond.

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

Jim Baird: The two things that separate me from my opponents are my proven track record and that I’m optimistic about our country’s future. If you review my track record, you will see that I am a decorated Vietnam War veteran, a staunch defender of the U.S. Constitution – especially the Second Amendment – and an advocate for protecting the life of the unborn. These have delivered real, tangible results that have impacted Hoosiers in a meaningful way. I know this because of the tens of thousands of positive interactions and relationships I’ve built with hardworking Hoosiers over the course of decades. It might sound trivial to point out how optimistic I am about our future when discussing what separates me from my opponents, but it’s an important distinction to make. My opponents’ “burn it all down” mentality while offering no solutions is only going to exacerbate the problems we currently face as a nation, like record illegal immigration, crime, inflation and skyrocketing gas prices. With the support of former President Trump, me and my Republican colleagues were able to secure the border, build a historic economy, and achieve energy independence. If we stick together, we can solve these problems, because you know what? We did it before. And we are going to do it again.

Charles Bookwalter: 1. I'm a former Green Beret. I served for almost a decade in the U.S. Army Special Forces, in Afghanistan and the Philippines. This length of service during wartime as a member of the special forces showed me the realities of the wars America is now fighting – the mission is often poorly defined, huge amounts of money are wasted, and in the end, there is often just no way to win. Jim Baird has supported every war, every troop deployment to every corner of the globe. … I would only back intervention by the U.S. military when it's clear that America's national security is being threatened. So there is a wide gulf between us on this issue. 2. I'm a true conservative. Conservatives, and all Republicans, are supposed to support limited government. Jim Baird is not a conservative. He votes with the Republican leadership for huge spending bills that are driving our nation further into debt and rewarding corrupt federal agencies including the FBI. I support defunding the FBI and moving some of its functions to other agencies. I support slashing spending and returning money to the states and to the people. I support a government that is limited in its power and I embrace a vision of a nation in which the people are sovereign and all authority ultimately rests with them.

John Piper: Did not respond.

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Candidate bios

Jim Baird

• Party: Republican

• Age: 78

• Occupation: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana’s 4^th Congressional District

• Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University in animal science, Doctoral degree from University of Kentucky in monogastric nutrition.

• Past elected positions, if any: Current member of the U.S. House of Representatives, former State Representative in the Indiana General Assembly, County Commissioner, small business owner, farmer and decorated Vietnam War veteran.

• Community boards or other community leadership and service: Active or former member of numerous local organizations including the Rotary Club of Greencastle, Putnam County Fair and 4-H Club Association, VFW, American Legion, Indiana Farm Bureau, OCS 270 and numerous others. Served on the advisory council for Purdue University’s Dean of Agriculture.

• Immediate family: Married to his high school sweetheart, Danise. Three children and grandchildren.

• Your campaign site online: electjimbaird.com

Charles Bookwalter

• Party: Republican

• Age:  47

• Occupation:   Restaurant owner, commercial property developer, homesteader, homeschooler

• Education:    Indiana University-Bloomington

• Past elected positions, if any: Not a politician

• Community boards or other community leadership and service:  One of the leaders, along with my wife, of the Lebanon Christian Church kids ministry. One of the leaders and board members of the Boone County grassroots conservative group In Libertas.

• Immediate family:  Wife: Beverly. Three daughters: Twins age 9 and youngest age 8.

• Campaign website:    bookwalterforcongress.com

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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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