Howdy, Hoosiers, and I hope you had a Happy Easter Holiday. The time has come again for yet another Hump Day Update, where I tell you what I’ve been up to, keep you up-to-date on the campaign, and give you a glimpse of what’s planned for the immediate future.
To start the week off, after my last update, I ended up going to Large-Scale Solar Ordinance Sub-Committee meeting. To reiterate my stance, I do support solar and other clean/renewable energies. I’d actually like to see solar become a standard feature when building new homes, businesses, or parking areas. I just don’t believe that solar, in particular, belongs on farm fields. What’s more is I find that most Hoosiers generally agree with at least that last sentiment. I didn’t just go to the Sub-Committee meeting to speak my point of view, though. I wanted to hear the arguments of those that were pushing for the solar farms. Perhaps they knew something I didn’t. Maybe the good outweighed the bad. Unfortunately, most of those advocating for the solar farms only stressed the benefits of solar power in general, as opposed to justifying why it needed to be on Hoosier farmland. Some of them brought up the economic feasibility of the project, but that’s just a fancy way of saying profitability for the solar corporation. Probably the strongest argument I heard is that of property rights, and a land-owner’s right to do with their land what they want. Which, yes; to a degree I do agree with that, but putting limits on development through local ordinances to protect nearby residents and the environment is nothing new. Just as the good can outweigh the bad; the bad can outweigh the good, and we should strive to be mindful of that.
I spent a lot of time over the last week working on the new Anti-Corruption video series, which I highly encourage you to check out if you haven’t already. I completed Parts 3-5: A deep dive into Term Limits, Out-of-State Election Interference, and Corporate Political Spending respectively, and I added Constitutional risks and legal defenses at the end of each article up to that point. You can read the most current version of the Anti-Corruption Act HERE.
My family and I spent much of our Easter weekend going around to different hunts for the holiday. On Saturday, we went to the Downtown Lafayette Small Business Scavenger Hunt in the morning, but it was raining pretty good, so we didn’t stay long. In the afternoon, we attended the Montezuma Easter Egg Hunt and was happy to see such a great turnout. There were so many people there in support of the elementary school, and I know how close the community is to having enough pre-enrollments to save the school. I would be surprised if their event didn’t put them over the top. Then Sunday, we took the kids out to their aunt and uncle’s house in Montgomery County to do some egg hunting with their cousins. I found myself the target of most of the confetti eggs my wife distributed, but a good time was had by all (i.e. revenge was swift).
After the weekend, I spent some time getting caught up on some of the accounting for the campaign, which isn’t very interesting, but it is both legally required and necessary for the kind of transparency I want to exhibit. The plan is to eventually have a link on the website for all campaign contributions and expenditures, but it’s not quite ready yet. However, I did add an Endorsements Page to show which candidates I am publicly supporting, and catching up on the accounting meant that I was comfortable with finally buying some campaign yard signs. So, let me know if you’d be interested in displaying an Elect Joshua Brant sign in your yard.
Today’s the day I go to vote in the primary elections. I’ll be doing that as soon as I’m done with this post, actually. If you don’t already know, early voting for the primaries in Indiana started yesterday. It’s generally recommended that candidates do not reveal who they are voting for outside of official endorsements, so I won’t go into details, but I cannot stress enough the importance of voting in this election AND the general election. Be a part of the decision on who will be on the November ballot. I’m not saying it’s the whole reason, but not voting in the primaries is part of the reason we keep ending up with lower quality candidates in general elections.
A quick look ahead: I’ll be putting out more videos for the Anti-Corruption Act, attending “Detrash the Wabash” from 9AM-12PM at Tapawingo Park on Saturday, and collecting as many signatures as I can. If anyone would like to help with signatures, I’m planning to set up a table at Tapawingo Park while I help our community clean up around the river. Then also, on the corner across from the new West Lafayette Target on State Street in the afternoon (definitely Saturday; maybe Sunday too). So, feel free to come out if you have questions about me or the campaign, to sign my petitions for ballot access, or just drop by to say “Hi.”
Until next time, District 23, have yourselves a better-than-great weekend. I’ll be thinking about ya.
Genuinely,
Joshua Brant
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