Joseph Baughman

Joseph Baughman earned a high school diploma from Sullivan High School. Baughman's career experience includes working as an engineer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Joseph Baughman, I'm 47 years old, a father of 4 and grandfather of 5. I am a Christian Socialist and carry my belief to prioritize the needy into my political beliefs. I have been in factory work for 22 years, starting out on the factory floor, working my way into engineering, and currently in quality assurance. I work with systems that are inefficient or broken and it's my job to fix them. When I look at Indianapolis and our current direction in government I see a severely broken system that has left behind a majority of Hoosiers. I'm looking to fix that system or attempt to right the ship out of the favor of corporations and back to the people that elect us.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The government has stopped working for the people and needs a new direction. A direction that puts working people and family farms first. This can be accomplished with a redirecting of the tax policy onto the back of corporations who make billions in profit of the backs of Hoosiers. Leveling the playing field, respecting working, protecting the family farm, and building a future where our children want to stay.I believe we need a state-wide moratorium on data centers for 2 years. An investigation phase that takes into account the water table, the power grid, and the direct impact on local infrastructure and the local economy. A.i. is becoming ubiquitous must that doesn't mean the process should be allowed to come and run roughshod across our landscape. We need worker and environmental protections in place to allow for conservation as well as agreements that the cost of upgrading the grid infrastructure lies in the lap of data companies and utility providers.Everyone deserves dignity and that begins with a living wage and healthcare for all. I want to establish a wage floor, setting it at $19.00 per hour, and tying it directly to the cost of living in a district. If you live in a poorer county with lower cost of living, you will be closer to the floor. If you live in a high rent district then you will see a larger living wage. Basically, if your rent goes up, so should your paycheck. We're then going to build Rural Regional training centers to build on skills such as advanced manufacturing, trades, and computer systems to build a pipeline to the workforce.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Corporate tax policy, wages, healthcare, data centers

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus because he was a revolutionary who taught love and equality for all, Eugene V Debs because he stood up for the masses of the working class speaking truth to power, Dr. King because he believed in an equality that delivered dignity to the captive, Malcolm X because of his strength and truth that he spoke freely always willing to transform and learn.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, ethics, principled

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent the will of the majority of the people but only if it it doesn't infringe on the core of democratic principles.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I left the world, or at least my corner of it, better than I found it, and an.interesting person with vast views.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a dishwasher and waiter in high school. Started in 1993-94 when I was 15 and worked there until 1996.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Having the faith required.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Ideal would be for the governor and the legislators to be able to work together to pass legislation for the greatest good.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Extraction of our resources from labor, to electricity,.to water. We can no longer afford to be people last, corporations first.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, but you must stand on your principles and legislation should have a do no harm quality.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The presidential election of 1984