Latest news with #4thDistrict
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Baird hasn't ruled out a reelection bid. Still, another Republican is jumping in the race
Two years ago, Mooresville Republican Craig Haggard, a first-term state representative, raised his hand to say he was interested in the 4th Congressional District seat if incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Baird decided not to run. Baird, also a Republican, did run, and he has implied he will run for a fifth term in 2026, saying his mission is to earn the 4th District's support in 2026. But things are different now. Haggard is officially running for the May Republican primary, too, having formally kicked off his campaign with a friendly gathering of supporters in Plainfield Aug. 12. It's off to the races for what could be the most competitive, and already contentious, congressional contests in Indiana this cycle. Because of the makeup of the district, whomever wins the primary is likely to win the general election. "I'm sick and tired of people going to D.C. and worrying more about a vote based on them being reelected than doing the right thing," Haggard said, situated before an American flag and the restored nose of the jet he flew as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps. "I want to go and fight. I want to go and represent you." The 4th Congressional District stretches from Morgan County in the south to Jasper and Newton counties in the north. Though he only just filed his formal candidacy on Aug. 8, Haggard has already reported about $50,000 of contributions from the first half of 2025 and has $84,000 in the bank as of June 30. Baird raised $68,000 the same period, and has about $140,000 cash on hand. Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense. Haggard has noted that Baird's congressional mailers have included images of his son, Beau, and have increasingly left off his first name ― a move Haggard has interpreted publicly as Baird subtly introducing his son as a successor to his seat. The younger Baird has been rumored to be a potential future candidate for the seat after his father leaves. The elder Baird, in a fiery press release the afternoon of Aug. 12, set the record straight: It is he who will court voters in 2026 and he will "not be distracted by political games." He condemned Haggard's comments as "baseless" and "disgusting," mentioning four times in the press release that he is a two-time Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam veteran. "I have never wavered in my commitment to my community and my country. I will continue that fight on the House floor to ensure the people of the 4th District have a strong voice in Washington," Baird said. "My mission remains serving the people of the 4th District and earning their support in 2026." He also stressed that President Donald Trump has endorsed him in each of his races since 2018. Trump has yet to make an endorsement for the 2026 race. Haggard told reporters at the event that whether his opponent is the congressman or his son, he will run the same campaign. "If the congressman runs, great. And if his son runs, great," Haggard said. "Either way, doesn't change what I'm doing. I'm always going to run like I'm behind. I'm going to work my tail off; I'll be working every day from here until May 5." About Craig Haggard Haggard, a Marine and Indiana Air National Guard veteran, was elected to his Statehouse seat in 2022, serving parts of Morgan, Hendricks and Johnson counties. He is also a small business owner and commercial broker. He was also Indiana's field representative for the National Rifle Association for six years. There was a sizeable labor union presence at his rally, particularly from the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Political director Jerome Stanford said Haggard came to their training facility in Greenwood years ago and instantly hit it off. He said Haggard proved he is an honest broker when he voted against a bill in the Statehouse seeking to restrict project labor agreements, a bill the unions saw as anti-union. Stanford also appreciates that Haggard has friendships across the political aisle ― something unions themselves have been making in recent years, too ― and is accessible and available. It helps that a lot of his union members are into guns, too. "He's a roughneck just like the rest of us," Stanford laughed. Though the soaring national debt is one of Haggard's top concerns, his main promise to supporters was that he would be reachable and respond to every constituent while in office. "And if we don't," he told the crowd, "throw it on Facebook." Those constituents could change if lawmakers heed Trump's call to redraw Indiana's congressional maps before the midterm elections. Nomatter what new lines may be drawn, Haggard said he plans to still run for the 4th ― or whatever new number is assigned to it. "I've worked on this for two years. I met with thousands of people, I'm going to continue to." More: Gov. Mike Braun on Trump's redistricting pitch: 'I'm listening to the legislators' Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@ or follow her on X:@kayla_dwyer17 This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: U.S. Rep. Jim Baird will have a challenger if he runs for reelection Solve the daily Crossword
Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Rep. Baird hasn't ruled out a reelection bid. Still, another Republican is jumping in the race
Two years ago, Mooresville Republican Craig Haggard, a first-term state representative, raised his hand to say he was interested in the 4th Congressional District seat if incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Baird decided not to run. Baird, also a Republican, did run, and he has implied he will run for a fifth term in 2026, saying his mission is to earn the 4th District's support in 2026. But things are different now. Haggard is officially running for the May Republican primary, too, having formally kicked off his campaign with a friendly gathering of supporters in Plainfield Aug. 12. It's off to the races for what could be the most competitive, and already contentious, congressional contests in Indiana this cycle. Because of the makeup of the district, whomever wins the primary is likely to win the general election. "I'm sick and tired of people going to D.C. and worrying more about a vote based on them being reelected than doing the right thing," Haggard said, situated before an American flag and the restored nose of the jet he flew as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps. "I want to go and fight. I want to go and represent you." The 4th Congressional District stretches from Morgan County in the south to Jasper and Newton counties in the north. Though he only just filed his formal candidacy on Aug. 8, Haggard has already reported about $50,000 of contributions from the first half of 2025 and has $84,000 in the bank as of June 30. Baird raised $68,000 the same period, and has about $140,000 cash on hand. The race is already tense. Haggard has noted that Baird's congressional mailers have included images of his son, Beau, and have increasingly left off his first name ― a move Haggard has interpreted publicly as Baird subtly introducing his son as a successor to his seat. The younger Baird has been rumored to be a potential future candidate for the seat after his father leaves. The elder Baird, in a fiery press release the afternoon of Aug. 12, set the record straight: It is he who will court voters in 2026 and he will "not be distracted by political games." He condemned Haggard's comments as "baseless" and "disgusting," mentioning four times in the press release that he is a two-time Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam veteran. "I have never wavered in my commitment to my community and my country. I will continue that fight on the House floor to ensure the people of the 4th District have a strong voice in Washington," Baird said. "My mission remains serving the people of the 4th District and earning their support in 2026." He also stressed that President Donald Trump has endorsed him in each of his races since 2018. Trump has yet to make an endorsement for the 2026 race. Haggard told reporters at the event that whether his opponent is the congressman or his son, he will run the same campaign. "If the congressman runs, great. And if his son runs, great," Haggard said. "Either way, doesn't change what I'm doing. I'm always going to run like I'm behind. I'm going to work my tail off; I'll be working every day from here until May 5." Haggard, a Marine and Indiana Air National Guard veteran, was elected to his Statehouse seat in 2022, serving parts of Morgan, Hendricks and Johnson counties. He is also a small business owner and commercial broker. He was also Indiana's field representative for the National Rifle Association for six years. There was a sizeable labor union presence at his rally, particularly from the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Political director Jerome Stanford said Haggard came to their training facility in Greenwood years ago and instantly hit it off. He said Haggard proved he is an honest broker when he voted against a bill in the Statehouse seeking to restrict project labor agreements, a bill the unions saw as anti-union. Stanford also appreciates that Haggard has friendships across the political aisle ― something unions themselves have been making in recent years, too ― and is accessible and available. It helps that a lot of his union members are into guns, too. "He's a roughneck just like the rest of us," Stanford laughed. Though the soaring national debt is one of Haggard's top concerns, his main promise to supporters was that he would be reachable and respond to every constituent while in office. "And if we don't," he told the crowd, "throw it on Facebook." Those constituents could change if lawmakers heed Trump's call to redraw Indiana's congressional maps before the midterm elections. Nomatter what new lines may be drawn, Haggard said he plans to still run for the 4th ― or whatever new number is assigned to it. "I've worked on this for two years. I met with thousands of people, I'm going to continue to." More: Gov. Mike Braun on Trump's redistricting pitch: 'I'm listening to the legislators'
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa Democrat Stephanie Steiner to run Iowa's 4th Congressional District seat in 2026
Democrat Stephanie Steiner has launched a campaign for Congress in Iowa's 4th District, saying she was spurred to act after the passage of Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." She noted that thousands of Iowans are expected to lose their access to Medicaid as a result of the law, and experts say they expect the changes to have a disproportionately negative effect on rural hospitals. "It is going to devastate our state," Steiner said. 'Broadly, that was what pushed me into saying, 'OK, well if somebody needs to do it, I will.'" More: 8 ways Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' will affect Iowans, from rural hospitals to biofuels Current 4th District U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican, is expected to vacate the seat as he eyes a run for governor in 2026. A trio of Republicans have announced campaigns to try to replace him: farmer Kyle Larsen, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan and state Rep. Matt Windschitl. And another Democrat, Ashley WolfTornabane, has also announced a campaign. Democrat Ryan Melton previously said he would seek his party's nomination, but he ended his campaign for personal reasons earlier this year. Steiner, 43, lives on an acreage outside of Sutherland with her husband and three youngest children. She said she worked as a labor and delivery nurse and as a traveling nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Steiner said her younger children's father passed away suddenly in 2019 after losing access to medications. That, paired with her experience in the health care field, drives her passion for protecting access to health care, she said. 'I never want another mother or another father, another set of children to go through that because it's awful," she said. "It's awful.' Steiner said she also wants to focus on protecting civil rights for LGBTQ+ Iowans and other marginalized communities. The 4th District is the most conservative of Iowa's four congressional districts, spanning much of northwest Iowa and the full western edge of the state. Nonpartisan analysts at Cook Political Report rate it as a "solid Republican" district. Steiner said she understands the odds are stacked against Democrats, but she felt compelled to run anyway. 'We will lose 100% of the races we never run," she said. "So, if I don't do it, somebody else doesn't do it, then I can tell you this, we won't win it. But what I hope is to connect with the people in our district." Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Democrat Stephanie Steiner to run for Congress in Iowa's 4th District
Boston Globe
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
UMass Amherst senior interning on Capitol Hill killed in D.C. shooting, authorities say
The shooting occurred at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest. When police got there, Tarpinian-Jachym was unconscious. The woman the the teen were conscious and breathing, Advertisement All three were taken to local hospitals. Tarpinian-Jachym died Tuesday, authorities said. No arrests have been made but investigators have recovered the vehicle the shooters emerged from, police said. Tarpinian-Jachym graduated from Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield and was seeking a degree in finance with a minor in political science at UMass. He joined Representative Estes' office as an intern in June. In 'We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country,' Estes said. 'Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time.' Advertisement A spokesperson for UMass Amherst said university officials were aware of 'a student's death in Washington, D.C. and is in communication with the student's family.' They did not identify Tarpinian-Jachym. 'We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support,' the university's statement said. Calls to numbers listed for Tarpinian-Jachym's parents were not answered nor were voicemails returned Wednesday night. Democratic Representative Richard E. Neal, whose Western Massachusetts district includes Granby, said he was 'heartbroken' by the news of Tarpinian-Jachym's death. The Granby native was on Capitol Hill working as an intern and 'pursuing his passion for public service,' Neal said in a statement. 'Eric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement,' Neal's statement said. 'Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing as a child,' Neal said. 'As a father, my thoughts and prayers are with Eric's family and loved ones during this difficult time.' This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available. Tonya Alanez can be reached at
NBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Congressional intern killed in Washington shooting
A 21-year-old intern at a congressman's Washington office was fatally shot Monday in the city after gunmen opened fire on a group of people, authorities said. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target of the shooters who got out of a vehicle at 7th and M streets northwest and started firing at around 10:28 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department said. Also hit was a woman and a 16-year-old boy, who survived, police said in a statement. Tarpinian-Jachym was unconscious when first responders arrived, and he died at a hospital on Tuesday, the police department said. U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas, said that he and his wife Susan were sending their condolences. Tarpinian-Jachym was a senior at University of Massachusetts at Amherst who was majoring in finance with a minor in political science, his office said. 'I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,' Estes said in a statement. 'We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country,' he said. 'Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time.' The vehicle that the shooters used has been found, police said, but no arrests have been announced. Police said that 'multiple suspects' fired at a group of people. The police department said it is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to arrest and conviction of those responsible. The department offers that reward for each homicide in the district.
