Visclosky squares off vs. familiar foe
Gary Democrat, challenged for 7th time by Leyva, seeks 18th term in U.S. House
The state’s 1st Congressional District seat in Northwest Indiana has crested a blue wave since 1931, when Republican Harry Rowbottom left Congress in disgrace after a bribery conviction.
U.S. Rep. Peter J. Visclosky, D- Gary, has held the seat since 1985 and has faced minimal competition from the GOP.
As he eyes his 18th term in the House, Visclosky is being challenged for the seventh time by Republican Mark Leyva, of Highland, on Nov. 6.
Visclosky declined to speculate on the potential of a blue wave that could see Democrats in control of the House. He said he last bet on a political race in 1976. “I lost $2 and I haven’t bet since,” he said.
“There is a consensus Democrats will get control of the House, and it will be close in the Senate. As always, elections tighten up toward the end,” he said.
Democratic control of the House would give Visclosky the chairmanship of the powerful House defense appropriations subcommittee, which he says controls more than half of the country’s discretionary spending.
But there’s still work to do for Democrats, he said.
“I am concerned about the Democratic Party having a coherent message,” Visclosky said.
As for his own race, there’s little suspense. Visclosky has raised slightly more than $1 million, while Leyva said he hasn’t reached the $5,000 minimum threshold to report to the Federal Election Commission.
There won’t be a debate offering more exposure for Leyva, who once chaired the Lake County Tea Party.
“I have to be able to raise money,” said Leyva. “We’re in a red state, but in a blue county.” Leyva said he’s received “zero support” from Lake County’s GOP.
Vi s c l o s k y, meanwhile, said he believes the steel industry is central of the economic vitality of Northwest Indiana. He’s vice chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus and supports the 25 percent steel tariffs President Donald Trump enacted.
His newest focus is on the expansion of the South Shore commuter line from Hammond south to Dyer, and ultimately Lowell. He also supports a double tracking effort between Gary and Michigan City that will speed up commuter times to Chicago.
Visclosky said the double tracking project was a bipartisan effort, but the Trump administration took the money for it out of the federal budget.
He said the newly opened U.S. Customs and Border Patrol facility at the Gary/Chicago International Airport will boost revenue and operations. He said there are now signs of private investment around the airport.
Visclosky is also championing a name change that would establish the Indiana Dunes National Park, now known as a national lakeshore. The Trump administration opposes that change.
Leyva said Visclosky has done little for the region.
“We have a congressman who’s been in office for over a third of a century and what has he done for Northwest Indiana? I don’t see a whole lot. It’s definitely not the economy. He’s on other side of policies,” said Leyva.
Leyva said Visclosky is focused on local issues, like the South Shore expansion. “If his issues are state and county, let him run for state and county.”
Leyva, who said he’s a carpenter and former steelworker, cites securing U.S. borders, national security, building a wall and permanent tax cuts as key issues. He opposes the Affordable Care Act.
“I’m not in favor of anything that makes insurance costs higher. I’m in favor of free markets and cheaper insurance and deductibles.”
Leyva opposes the South Shore expansion.
“It’s going to ruin East Chicago,” he said. “You won’t have people going there.”
Meanwhile, Visclosky has secured the Croatian Center in Merrillville for his election night headquarters.
“I don’t take my election for granted, I have never done that,” he said. “I’ve been given an incredible privilege in life and hopefully I can leave our community a bit better.”