DeKalb 9-12 Group
Voter Guide
Indiana Primary Election May 4, 2010
Purpose: The purpose of the DeKalb 9-12 Voter Guide is to provide information to voters about
selected candidates and issues.
Use of this voter guide: This voter guide is but one source of information. We recommend all voters
conduct their own research and evaluation of candidates using all available sources of information. Our
web site, dekalb912.com, contains additional reference materials, details and background data. Voters
also may contact us by e-mail at wtp@dekalb912.com.
The voter guide provides summary evaluations by office for selected candidates. These evaluations are
opinions based on analytic results from our research, candidate questionnaires, candidate interviews
and candidates addressing and meeting with our group. We have found the interviews, question and
answer sessions with small groups and the voting records are the three most important elements of the
evaluation process. Campaign literature and political rhetoric give little real insight into the person.
Even the questionnaire adds little if no amplifying comments are included; without comments the
questionnaire becomes an ad hoc piece of campaign literature.
The election contests included in this voter guide are Indiana state legislature District 51, District 85,
DeKalb County Sheriff, US House of Representatives Indiana District 3, and the US Senate seat for
Indiana. We will continue to update this voter guide as additional information is made available prior to
the Primary Election.
Statement of Fact: The DeKalb 9-12 Group is not a political action group. The DeKalb 9-12 Group is
a nonpartisan organization that has no official affiliation with any political party. The DeKalb 9-12
Group is partisan as far as the stated conservative values and principles of the DeKalb 9-12 Group. Our
beliefs simply stated - America will be renewed if it returns to: our traditional values of hard work,
personal freedom and responsibility; a limited government that follows the Constitution and the rule of
law; valuing and protecting human life and the institutions of marriage, family and belief in almighty
God as the foundation for society. One of the goals of the DeKalb 9-12 Group is to educate and inform
voters. The efforts to educate and inform are an absolute act within our right to freedom of speech as
provided by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. We do not tell any DeKalb 9-12 members
how to vote; nor do we tell any other voter how to vote. One of our strongest beliefs is the right of each
voter to vote his or her conscience. Not every member agrees with all of the opinions within this
document. Any expressions of opinion in this guide, our web site or other venues are the essence of our
right to free speech. If any factual error is found on the web site or in this voter guide we will correct
on presentation of valid evidence. We seek the truth and believe the truth shall help us remain free.
Notice: This voter guide is the property of DeKalb 9-12 Group and may not be used for any other
purposes than those stated above. A revised voter guide will be published for the November 2010
General Election.
Dekalb 912 Voter Project Voter Guide
Candidates for US Senate from the State of Indiana
Marlin Stutzman: Mr. Stutzman is a conservative whose values are thoroughly consistent with core
values of our group. During the interview he cited the three pillars in his life: his personal faith,
conservative beliefs, and an uncompromising commitment regarding the right to life. Mr. Stutzman
stated the three greatest current threats to the United States of America are: profligate government
spending and the massive federal debt, Islamic terrorism, and a moral apathy. As a businessman he
takes a very pragmatic view toward such issues as agricultural and biofuels subsidies. He understands
government subsidies and other government involvement in the free market distort the market. He also
understands subsidy programs need to be modified and phased out but these corrective actions can only
be done so over time. He holds the same pragmatic view toward earmarks. While opposing the earmark
system he understands that certain earmarks can be helpful to families in Indiana. Until the earmark
system is eliminated he will look at each earmark on its merit; is the earmark a constitutional action and
does it benefit Indiana families. He opposes tax increases and sees both spending cuts and spending
restraint within a balanced budget as the only path to avoid a fiscal disaster. Mr. Stutzman declared US
Representatives and Senators need to spend more time at home to listen and understand the problems of
the voters.
Don Bates: Mr. Bates essentially refused to cooperate with us. On short notice, he canceled a long
standing appointment for the interview and a speaking engagement with the DeKalb 912 Group. Mr.
Bates did submit a questionnaire which can be found on our web site. However Mr. Bates appeared to
treat the questionnaire as another piece of campaign literature. He provided no meaningful support to
his one word answers. As a result the questionnaire response gives the impression of being of little
importance to Mr. Bates. Mr. Bates made no effort to reschedule and keep his commitment to the
DeKalb 912 group.
Dan Coats: Mr. Coats and his campaign were unresponsive to the DeKalb 912 questionnaire, request
for an interview and invitation to speak to the group. These materials (questionnaire and invitation)
were sent by USPS immediately after his announced entry into the race. On 1 April 2010, we spoke
personally with Mr. Coats at a Republican dinner to voice our concern his campaign had not responded
to our original overtures. Mr. Coats said they receive a lot of invitations and requests. He took our
information with the promise to have his campaign contact us. As of this date they have not contacted
us. We can only speculate why Mr. Coats would summarily dismiss DeKalb County voters and a strong
conservative group within the Freedom Maker Coalition.
John Hostetler: Mr. Hostettler did not respond to the invitation to speak to our group and did not
complete the questionnaire. The DeKalb 9-12 materials were received 19 January 2010 by the
Hostettler campaign.
Richard Behney: Mr. Behney did not respond to the invitation to speak to our group and did not
complete the questionnaire. The DeKalb 9-12 materials were received 20 January 2010 by the Behney
campaign.