Incumbent Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, is seeking another term in U.S. Congress while Republican Porter County Commissioner Barb Regnitz is hoping to take his seat.
The two will face off in the Nov. 3 general election for Indiana’s First Congressional District.
Mrvan was first elected in 2021. He told the Post-Tribune that he’s seeking re-election because he believes Northwest Indiana needs strong leadership to get results.
“I believe Northwest Indiana needs a strong voice in Washington that puts the interests of the people ahead of big tech, big oil, big corporations and foreign interests,” Mrvan said.
Mrvan touted his work providing funds for the Gary/Chicago International Airport, South Shore Line, cleanup of the Grand Calumet River, strengthening water and sewer infrastructure and bringing resources for law enforcement and public safety.
If re-elected, Mrvan said he plans to vote for legislation that will end the war with Iran, saying it’s having a costly effect on his constituents.
“Gasoline prices are soaring because of a never-ending war and because of unplanned or no strategy to tariffs,” Mrvan said. “Ultimately, who is paying the price are working families of Northwest Indiana, small businesses and farmers.”
Mrvan is also focused on improving affordability, especially with utility costs, saying he’s planning to submit legislation that would eliminate President Donald Trump’s administration from keeping coal plants open past planned retirement, including the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield.
If re-elected, Mrvan is also focused on protecting union jobs, citing his frustration with the nearly six-month lockout at Whiting’s BP Refinery. He’s submitted legislation that prevents corporations that lock out workers from doing business with the federal government.
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Mrvan believes his experience in Congress will aid him going forward, especially because he’s shown he can work with local, state and federal officials. He said the greatest example was through the Aug. 11 derecho relief, where bipartisan officials brought help to Northwest Indiana.
“Within three weeks — or 20 days — we were able to have a national declaration that allowed us to be able to get relief, or funding, from (the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency),” Mrvan said. “That doesn’t happen every single day, and that’s absolutely a bipartisan way.”
Regnitz has received endorsements from President Donald Trump and members of Congress, including U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson.
“If you believe that the policies of this administration, when it comes to your everyday bills and your cost of living, is an advantage, then you know who you can vote for,” Mrvan said. “But if you want to bring normalcy, if you want to bring affordability and end the chaos, and if you want a member of Congress that can deliver for Northwest Indiana, create work and wealth, and have a steady, common sense way of doing it, protecting union workers, lowering costs for everyday families, and having common decency in government, along with dignity in our communities, then I would ask that you vote for me.”
Regnitz said in emailed statements to the Post-Tribune that she’s running for Congress because she sees “problems that aren’t getting fixed.” Regnitz’s spokesman Dan Hennessey sent her responses to the Post-Tribune.
“Right now, I see families working hard and wondering why it’s still so difficult to get ahead,” Regnitz said. “Groceries cost more. Utilities cost more. Housing and healthcare cost more. At the same time, our national debt keeps growing, and we’re leaving that burden to our children and grandchildren.
In a statement, Regnitz said she’s “incredibly grateful” for endorsements from Trump and others, but “the real value is what those relationships can do for the people I represent.”
“That’s what these relationships mean to me. I’ll know the President. I’ll know the Speaker. I’ll know people in leadership and members of Congress across the country,” Regnitz said. “I don’t want those relationships for me. I want to use them for my friends and neighbors back home. And I’m not going to wait until I’m sworn in to start.”
Regnitz worked as a software engineer before becoming a financial advisor and starting her own business. As a Porter County commissioner, Regnitz said she learned people “just want you to get things done.”
“That’s the attitude I’d take to Washington,” she said. “Listen. Ask questions. Work with people. Watch the money. And remember who sent you there.”
Regnitz’s most important issues are affordability, public safety and health. She said she supports the Working Families Tax Cuts, with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and tax relief for seniors receiving Social Security.
The candidate also said she supports local law enforcement and securing the country’s borders, and she believes in providing better food, exercise, prevention and good information to help people stay healthy.
“For me, all three come back to the same thing: giving people the opportunity to build a good life and leaving our children and grandchildren a country where they can do the same,” Regnitz said.
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Regnitz was unable to immediately answer follow-up questions about her important issues, including how she would take action about the war in Iran’s effect on affordability nationwide, especially gas prices; Northwest Indiana’s high utility bills; and any plans to draft legislation impacting local law enforcement.
“If we need money for a road, a bridge, public safety or something that can bring jobs here, I’m going to ask. And if the answer is no, I’ll keep asking and asking and asking until I get a yes,” Regnitz said. “My goal is pretty simple: help Northwest Indiana reach its full potential — and make sure the rest of the country knows our name.”