On October 29, 2024, a U.S. Senate debate in Indiana featured Democrat Dr. Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning, while Republican frontrunner Jim Banks was notably absent. McCray criticized Banks for disrespecting voters by not defending his policies on women's health and Project 2025, a significant initiative he has been associated with [a0341b31]. Horning echoed this sentiment, stating that not attending a debate shows a lack of respect for voters [a0341b31].
The debate covered pressing issues such as inflation, health care, abortion, immigration, and foreign affairs. McCray argued that inflation has decreased due to the Biden administration's policies, while Horning suggested a radical approach of ending the Federal Reserve altogether [a0341b31].
On the contentious issue of abortion, McCray advocated for women's rights, emphasizing the importance of access to health care and reproductive choices. In contrast, Horning believed that the decision should be left to individual states, showcasing a significant ideological divide between the two candidates [a0341b31].
The candidates also differed on foreign policy, with McCray supporting continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, while Horning opposed U.S. financial aid, arguing for a more isolationist approach [a0341b31].
Jim Banks, who has been relatively quiet since his nomination in May, is running to fill the Senate seat vacated by Mike Braun, who is currently campaigning for governor. Despite his absence from the debate, Banks has a significant campaign war chest and strong support from former President Trump, positioning him as a formidable contender in the race [a0341b31].
