Indiana District 2 Candidates talk Iran, accountability and transparency

ST JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- As voters seek more clarity and accountability from elected officials, two Democratic candidates challenging U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District say they are offering a different approach ahead of the primary election.

Jamee Decio, a former lawyer, said her decision to run was driven by concerns about national leadership.

“The reason why I decided to run is that no one’s standing up to this president.” Decio said.

Decio is one of two Democrats facing Yakym in the primary. The other is Shaun Maeyens, a social studies teacher and small business owner.

“I don’t have a name to run off of, right? I don’t come from privilege. I am just a person from humble beginnings.” Maeyens said.

The last time a Democrat held the district two position was in 2013.

“So I’m going to encourage our constituents to think outside the box,” said Maryens. “I’m on the democratic ticket, but that doesn’t mean I’m only going to support democratic things, right? We’re representing our own district, our community.”

Both candidates pointed to differences in how they would engage with constituents compared to the present Rudy Yakym.

“We intend to do town halls. My opponent does not have town halls,” said Decio. “People can’t ask him questions they should be able to ask. I would be working for them, so you know they’re basically my boss, so they need to tell me what they need and what they want.”

The candidates also addressed foreign policy and the response of current leaders, including Yakym, to tensions involving Iran.

“I think they’re tight lipped because they have definitely taken an oath to the president instead of an oath to the people,” Maeyens said.

Maeyens said Trump is unjustified in calling for aggressive military action in Iran. Decio was also critical of the president’s actions.

“He’s a lawless president.” Decio said.

Both candidates argued that members of Congress should be more active in oversight and accountability.

“The republicans, such as Rudy, said it was bold and decisive when the president made the decision to go to war. Look where it’s gotten us, look at the gas prices. The people who are paying the cost are the citizens of America,” said Decio. “Their duty is to the American people, to their constituents, not the president. He’s not doing that. He’s not doing his job.”

“There’s no oversight. We have a president claiming to or actually just threatening to destroy a whole civilization, how does that look abroad?” said Maeyens. “And Rudy Yakym is supposed to be part of this oversight in congress, and he’s saying nothing. In fact, I think he went to the Potawatomi Zoo that day instead of standing up for what’s right and what’s just.”

Indiana’s primary election is May 5. Early voting in St. Joseph County is underway and runs through Election Day at the County-City Building in South Bend and the Mishawaka County Services Building in Mishawaka.