The South Central Indiana News Network recently sat down with Representative Trey Hollingsworth, US Congress Member from Indiana’s 9th District. Here’s what he had to say . . .
Representative, you made a campaign promise to not stay in office for decades. Talk about that decision and why you decided this would be your last term?
“Well, I think it’s hugely important that we continue to put the power in the hands of the people, not in the hands of Washington politicians. And so, from the very beginning, I’ve been focused on that core principle. And a big part of that principle is ensuring that new Americans, new Hoosiers get to come to Washington and represent other Hoosiers, and get to represent the state. And frankly, get to represent the country in leading it forward.
And I want new ideas. I want fresh ideas. I want fresh direction, and especially after what we’ve seen under the White House the last two years. I want new verve and passion in pushing this country in the right direction, not in the wrong direction. So, I wanted to make sure someone else had the opportunity, the honor, the pleasure to ensure they’re serving 9th District Hoosiers.”
What do you feel you’ve been able to accomplish in your two and a half terms?
“Well, I am tremendously proud of the last six years in the work that we’ve been able to do to a ensure Americans have a better, brighter future economically, that was a big part of what we did from 2017-19 – ensuring that the economy was growing at the most rapid rate that unemployment was at a very low level, and that people could feel like they could start small businesses in their garage that would become big businesses in the future.
Secondarily, I’ve been really focused on national events, ensuring that our military is the most lethal in the world and has the capabilities and resources to tackle the challenges that exist around the world. And, frankly, that our men and women who put on a uniform are safe, because we’ve given them the resources to do those dangerous things, but also come back home to their families.
And then I think third, trying to change Washington trying to ensure that Washington gets pushed in the right direction, the direction where the power is in the hands of the people and not inside the beltway. Those are things I’ve worked on every single day I’ve been in Washington, DC. And that’s what I’ve really been proud of.”
You talked about small business. The 9th district is made up of small businesses. Right now, inflation is skyrocketing, interest rates have just taken a huge leap over the last couple of weeks. What is your advice to small business owners? And what can government do right now to help?
“Well, as you well know, and as everyone has borne witness to is unprecedented uncertainty for small businesses over the last few years, right up until today, they’ve dealt with a pandemic. They’ve dealt with a deep recession – they’ve dealt with tremendous unemployment.
Now they’re dealing with, like you said, high inflation rates, supply chain issues, the unavailability of labor, all of these things are challenging our small businesses today. What I would tell them is that government needs to get out of the way, so these small businesses can do what they do best. They know their customers, they know their communities, they know their businesses.
Government needs to stop meddling in those things and enable them to get back on their feet, get back to hiring people, and get back to serving their customers. What I hear from [Business Owners] over and over again, is that the avalanche of regulations that coming down from the Biden administration are going to continue to strangle their ability to focus on customers and grow their businesses.”
We have a very polarized society right now. What is your advice to your 9th District predecessor?
“Get out . . . get out and ensure that you are meeting with absolutely everybody you can. Over the last six years, I have had an unprecedented number of in district meetings. I have made personal phone calls every single week to Hoosiers. I have knocked on Hoosier doors. I have focused on ensuring that I, first and foremost, and listening to what the needs are in our communities, what the opportunities are in our communities, and how I can best serve those communities.
So, get out of your office. Get on the pavement and actually talk with anybody and everybody, and learn the things that matter most to people – the things they want government to start doing, the things they want government to stop doing.”
Last but not least, a lot of speculation about your future. What are your plans?
“Well, what I’m focused on today is ensuring that Republicans take back the House, not only that a Republican remains in leadership of Indiana’s ninth district but that we take back the house so that we can stop the terrible ideas that are coming out of the White House from becoming law from sea to shining sea. I’m really focused on that.
Certainly, I have been critical of some of the policies that have come out of Indianapolis over the last couple of years and want to make sure that we get to an Indianapolis that I think reflects Hoosier values, not just Indianapolis values. I want to make sure we get to that better outcome as soon as possible.”
Back to the private sector, then, and keeping an eye on things?
“Well, I’m saying I want to make sure I am of service to Hoosiers, I am of service to our state, I am of service to our country. I’ve focused on that, the last six years. I’m going to continue to focus on that. I want to make sure we get the policies that Hoosiers expect, demand, and frankly deserve.”
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