Two candidates attend Evansville forum ahead of May primary

Voters in Indiana’s 8th Congressional District heard from two Democratic candidates Saturday morning during a community forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Southwest Indiana (LWVSWIN) and the Evansville Branch NAACP. Although four candidates were invited, only Mary Allen and Tabitha Zeigler attended the event at the C.K. Newsome Community Center. The forum was originally expected to include Mario Foradori and Christopher Rector, who did not attend.

The event provided an opportunity for voters to hear directly from candidates on key issues, including healthcare, the economy, and representation. The winner will go on to face Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer in the general election.

Both candidates shared their vision for the district. While their views are similar, they differed in their tone and approach to challenges. Allen, who serves on the Evansville City Council, focused on shared values and community-based solutions, emphasizing coalition-building and local engagement. Zeigler, a former postal worker, framed her campaign as a challenge to the political establishment, calling for increased representation from working-class Americans and more direct accountability from elected officials. Both also offered criticism of current leadership, including concerns about accessibility and responsiveness at the local and federal level.

Of the various issues that were discussed, healthcare emerged as a central topic of discussion. Allen emphasized the importance of preventive care and access, framing healthcare as a fundamental right. “Healthcare is a human right,” Allen said. “People should not have to choose between their medication and putting food on the table.” Zeigler also called for systemic changes, advocating for some form of universal healthcare and criticizing the current cost structure. “If we don’t have some form of universal healthcare in this country, we’re not going to move forward,” Zeigler said.

Organizers said the goal of the forum was to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election. “We want people to go home, make an informed decision, and most importantly, get out and vote,” said Valencia Redding of the Evansville NAACP.

The Democratic primary election will be held May 5.