Survey Responses - Ken Mace (D), County Commissioner Candidate
What is your professional experience?
Delaware County Probation Officer (1985-2019)
What is your public office experience?
have run before but not held office
If applicable, please list offices you have run for or held.
Delaware County Council At-Large (2020)
What are the specific skills that you bring to the position for which you are running?
Familiarity with functions of county government
What are your top 3 priorities if you are elected?
To bring balance & accountability to the office, to strengthen relationships with local towns & farmers, and attempt to attract additional grocery stores to underserved areas of Muncie and the county.
How do your values motivate your run for office?
I feel that the primary function of government is to help people and I like doing that.
Key Issues
Please share with us your position on a number of issues that are key for Muncie Resists and describe what actions you would take with regard to them. We recognize that some elected positions may not have a direct role in addressing some of these issues, but if you had an opportunity to have an impact, what would you want that to be?
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support the rights of
a. LGBTQ+ individuals?
I treat those individuals and groups with the same respect as any other.
b. people with disabilities?
I will make every effort to accommodate and provide the same opportunities as with able bodied individuals.
c. people experiencing poverty?
I will make sure that it is easy to obtain information and/or assistance with employment and other services that are necessary for individuals and families.
d. immigrants?
Immigrants have chosen the US and Delaware County as a place to live, raise families and contribute, and they should be receive the same respect and assistance as any other citizens.
e. people who are racial or ethnic minorities/minoritized individuals?
I will treat all people equally and provide the same services and assistance to all.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support voter access
(These might include your position on vote centers, polling hours, voter IDs, signature matching, the SAVE act, etc.)
I strongly support vote centers, extended early voting dates and voter ID requirements. If the US Congress passes the SAVE Act, I will support it ONLY if it is enacted no earlier than 2028. In my opinion; if it is adopted and enacted for the current (2026) election it will, clearly, be only for the purpose of voter suppression.
In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the power of local and state governments. In what contexts would you support resistance by local officials?
In general, I would not support resistance by local officials. In the event of federal law enforcement agencies coming to Delaware County; I would propose for LOCAL law enforcement to be the "lead" agencies and for Federal agents to participate in advisory and support roles. Local law enforcement agencies will, obviously, be more aware of local populations, neighborhoods and needs of the residents.
In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the constitutional rights of the people. How would you protect and defend our constitutional rights?
See my answer above. I would expect that all law enforcement agencies operating in Delaware County adhere to The US Constitution and Indiana Laws and treat ALL residents of our communities in accordance with those laws.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support healthcare access for all?
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to address affordability of
housing costs?
food costs?
healthcare costs?
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support discussion about science, history, and gender as necessary parts of educating children in our schools?
I do not agree with the recent movements to change\edit subject matter and the methods by which science and history are taught. In my opinion, gender identification information and subject matter should be included with traditional "sex education" programs to age appropriate students with parent knowledge and consent.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support public education?
Once elected, I would like to develop a consistent relationship with the superintendents of the Delaware County schools to ensure educational strategies are consistent with the industries local government attempts to attract to Delaware County.
What do you think should be Indiana’s priority in terms of the electrical grid and energy generation sources? What have you done and/or what do you commit to do regarding a clean energy economy?
I support the development of clean energy sources like solar and wind for Delaware County.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to make your specific area of government more transparent to your constituents?
I would commit to continuing the practice of the current Commissioners to hold regular public meetings and to hold meeting throughout the county on a quarterly basis, and to continuing providing coverage of the meetings via streaming services.