Ahead of the upcoming election, Capital B Gary is giving readers the chance to learn more about the candidates appearing on their ballots. These candidates represent the interests of Gary and other Lake County residents and bring their unique perspectives and goals for the community. This year, incumbent Democratic state Rep. Vernon Smith faces Republican challenger Ivan Ursery II in the race for the Indiana State House District 14 seat. In his Q&A, Ursery shares his motivation to run for office, legislative priorities, and hopes for Gary’s future. In lieu of responses to our questions, we have included a breakdown of Smith’s 2023-2024 legislative term, as he did not respond to Capital B Gary’s questions for this Q&A.
Ivan Ursery II
What is your most fond Gary memory?
I have so many fond memories of Gary: Cletus Green walking me to Franklin Elementary every morning, Vacation Bible School each summer at Deliverance Temple, watching my 50-year-old uncle Tony Baker — known as “The Whiz” — schooling younger guys on the court at Ironwood Park. Summers were for walking to the beach from my aunt Gloria Tolliver’s house, and as a teenager, going to concerts at Marquette Park. I babysat my cousins at my mom’s childhood home on Pennsylvania Street, celebrated Christmas at my grandma’s in Glen Park, and always hoped my cousin, Avery Ursery, would hook us up with the latest FUBU gear.
What was your biggest motivation to run for office this term?
My biggest motivation for running for office this term was the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic at both the federal and state levels. I watched my small children suffer, hardly able to breathe, wearing masks all day at school. I watched loved ones not able to visit their family in the hospital or properly lay their family members to rest. I am motivated to ensure masks are never mandated, churches and businesses are never closed, and people are never again threatened or coerced to take a vaccine.
Tell us about a bill you would propose in the state house that would benefit the residents of Gary.
I would propose a bill to create a Family Fun and Recreation (FF&R) fund and a business tax break for Gary. The money in the FF&R fund would be used to build free, family-friendly attractions like a giant splash pad comparable to the one at Deep River Waterpark. The business tax break would be used to attract major corporations to build family-friendly attractions like theme parks in Gary.
What areas do you find the most opportunity to work with Democrats in the state legislature?
I see the greatest opportunities to partner with Democrats in Health (physical and mental), public safety, and economic development.
What is your biggest hope for Gary?
My biggest hope for Gary is for it to be rebuilt by its own citizens into the technology, transportation, and recreation hub of the Midwest.
Rep. Vernon Smith
Smith was elected to the Indiana House in 1990 after serving on the Gary Common Council since 1972, with over two decades in education as a teacher and principal in Gary public schools.
He currently serves on the House Education Committee and the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Below are highlights of legislation sponsored by Smith during his 2023-2024 legislative term.
- HB 1263, a bill looking to abolish money bail in Indiana; however, the bill did not pass the House.
- HB 1483, a bill aimed at strengthening school rules regarding bullying. Passed
- SB 72, a bill requiring all public and state-accredited nonpublic elementary schools in Indiana to provide the Department of Education with information on whether they provide instruction on cursive writing, including the grade levels where it is taught. Passed
- SB 168, a bill requiring the Indiana Department of Education to include in its contract with a statewide assessment vendor, entered into or renewed after June 30, 2023, a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student’s statewide assessment results. Passed
