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Penny Githens
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Penny Githens (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Indiana House of Representatives to represent District 62. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Githens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Githens was a 2016 Democratic candidate for District 60 of the Indiana House of Representatives.[1]
Biography
Penny Githens was born in Wilmington, Ohio. She earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 1972. She earned a graduate degree from Indiana University in 1981. Her career experience includes working as a Monroe county commissioner.[2]
Elections
2022
See also: Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 62
Dave Hall defeated Penny Githens in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 62 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Dave Hall (R)  | 50.1 | 13,037 |
 | Penny Githens (D) | 49.9 | 12,963 | |
| Total votes: 26,000 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 62
Penny Githens defeated Brad Swain in the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 62 on May 3, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Penny Githens | 68.2 | 2,892 |
 | Brad Swain | 31.8 | 1,349 | |
| Total votes: 4,241 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 62
Dave Hall defeated Greg Knott in the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 62 on May 3, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dave Hall | 56.7 | 2,896 |
 | Greg Knott | 43.3 | 2,212 | |
| Total votes: 5,108 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Myra Kinser (R)
Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 60
Incumbent Peggy Mayfield defeated Penny Githens in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 60 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Peggy Mayfield (R) | 59.0 | 15,384 |
| Penny Githens (D) | 41.0 | 10,708 | |
| Total votes: 26,092 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60
Penny Githens advanced from the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Penny Githens | 100.0 | 3,556 |
| Total votes: 3,556 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60
Incumbent Peggy Mayfield advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Peggy Mayfield | 100.0 | 6,472 |
| Total votes: 6,472 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Penny Githens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Githens' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am currently a Monroe County Commissioner, which is a challenging and fulfilling job. But, my hands are tied when it comes to issues like providing better support for public education, pay equity, paid family leave, and increasing the minimum wage. I grew up in Richmond, Indiana, and have a BS from Purdue and an MS from IU. My husband and I chose to return to Indiana 30 years ago because this is where we wanted to raise our two sons. I have held multiple positions as a project manager and been involved in educational program development. I have served as a volunteer educational advocate with IN*SOURCE for 25 years to help students with special needs. Pre-COVID, I volunteered at the Monroe County YMCA's adapted martial arts class. I sit on the Monroe County Boards and Commissions: Substance Use Disorder Awareness Commission, Affordable Housing, Solid Waste Management District (Secretary), and Stormwater Management (President). I am the Commissioners' representative to Downtown Bloomington, Inc. and BEDC. I am on the Housing Advisory Commission and am working with a coalition to expand quality, affordable childcare. I am the chair of the Monroe County Democratic Women's caucus and a member of several other local Democratic organizations.
- Public Education: At a time when Indiana is sitting on a record surplus, we should increase teacher pay, provide more support for rural schools, and institute universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds.
- Treatment Options: Many of our homeless neighbors and those in our local jail are suffering from mental illness and/or a substance use disorder. I want to increase treatment options to help keep people employed, keep families together, and save taxpayer money.
- Living Wage: Too many working Hoosiers live in poverty. I support expanding unions and increasing the minimum wage. And I believe tax incentives should be restricted to companies that pay a living wage.
Indiana is losing ground compared to other states when it comes to educational attainment, clean water, accessible broadband, maternal and infant mortality/morbidity, general health outcomes, and civil rights protections for all of our citizens. With the influx of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act and the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, plus a record surplus, Indiana should upgrade all facets of its infrastructure: roads, bridges, dams, ports, etc. Improving our infrastructure would provide high-paying jobs to Hoosiers, which would help lift families out of poverty.
COVID has shown us the need for broadband throughout the state, both in rural and intercity areas. Broadband allowed people to work from home during the pandemic, was necessary for education, and allowed for virtual medical and mental health visits.
One of the women I look up to is Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as a U.S. Cabinet member. She served under FDR from 1933 to 1945, and is the longest serving Labor Cabinet member in U.S. history. She made labor issues central to FDR's New Deal Coalition, and she oversaw the development of Social Security (1935) and the establishment of a minimum wage in the United States. If FDR has not died, I wonder if she would have been able to put through a single-payer health care system in the United States.
Frances Perkins really had no role model to follow. She followed her own moral compass, and when she saw an injustice for working men and women (and children), she worked to fight and overcome that injustice.
Frances Perkins really had no role model to follow. She followed her own moral compass, and when she saw an injustice for working men and women (and children), she worked to fight and overcome that injustice.
Our education system is stronger and more individuals choose to become teachers; universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds; expanded treatment options for those with mental illness and substance use disorders; all working Hoosiers earn a living wage; pay equity and paid family leave exist in Indiana; better pay for those providing care to individuals with Medicaid waivers; and, involuntary annexation is eliminated.
The first historical event that I remember was the shooting of President John F Kennedy, which occurred just after my 14th birthday. I was sitting in my 9th grade general science class when the Dean of Students came into the classroom to make the announcement. The Dean could have made the announcement over the public address system, but instead chose to make the announcement in person to each classroom. After school we watched the event on TV, and soon after we learned of the President's death.
My first job was as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching math and science to high school students in Kenya. I held this job for 2 years, which is the standard Peace Corps commitment.
I have an adult son with autism. When he was diagnosed with autism, I knew virtually nothing about autism. I had to learn about the condition, learn about special education and how to advocate for my son - and others - and learn how to navigate the Medicaid Waiver system. Once our son was diagnosed, we learned that our health insurance did not cover autism, so I led the successful effort to mandate health insurance for individuals with autism. My son is now an adult, but his autism continues to be a challenge, especially ensuring that he receives the services that his Medicaid Waiver team agrees he deserves.
The State Legislature should be able to set a firm budget, but that does not seem to happen all of the time in Indiana. I truly believe that our budget reflects our values, and if the Legislature passes a budget which increases teacher salaries and increases funding for the treatment of those with substance use disorders and/or mental illness, I believe the Governor should honor those priorities.
Obviously the legislature needs to work with the Governor to move Indiana forward. Although the Legislature can easily override the Governor's veto, this is not a rational way to advance legislation or policy initiatives. I believe the Legislature should look at the Governor's priorities and then determine which priorities they can move forward with.
Obviously the legislature needs to work with the Governor to move Indiana forward. Although the Legislature can easily override the Governor's veto, this is not a rational way to advance legislation or policy initiatives. I believe the Legislature should look at the Governor's priorities and then determine which priorities they can move forward with.
Indiana must improve its education system to keep young people from leaving the state and to attract/keep businesses. Over the past year we have seen two major Indiana employers - Cook and Eli Lily - move some of their operations out of state due to labor issues. In the case of Eli Lily, its top management was looking for a better educated work force. We MUST increase teacher salaries, increase money to higher education, provide more funding to rural schools and offer universal pre-K to all 4-year-olds. Hand-in-hand with improving our education system, we must provide improvements to our infrastructure. Keep in mind that our infrastructure includes things like water treatment systems and the replacement of lead pipes. No one wants to relocate to, or remain in, an area where the infrastructure does not promote health and well-being.
A unicameral system would, hopefully, allow legislation to advance more rapidly and more transparently. In the legislative session which just ended in Indiana, we saw too many last-minute, back-door deals that were hammered out in conference committee or were amendments inserted into gutted bills. This allowed legislators to pass legislation without full input from the people they represent. The legislative decisions we saw made in 2022 showed us just how out of touch some of our Indiana Legislators are with their constituents.
As a drawback, it provides only one venue for citizen involvement. Under Indiana's bicameral system, all members of the House face re-election every two years, which hopefully makes them a little more responsive to voters. In the state unicameral legislatures in the U.S., most of the legislators serve 4-year terms.
As a drawback, it provides only one venue for citizen involvement. Under Indiana's bicameral system, all members of the House face re-election every two years, which hopefully makes them a little more responsive to voters. In the state unicameral legislatures in the U.S., most of the legislators serve 4-year terms.
Yes, I believe having previous government experience is beneficial for State Legislators. Prior experience teaches one how the different levels can work together and what local people want.
Of course it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. No one gets a bill through with just their own vote.
I favor having a non-partisan committee to oversee redistricting. As a County Commissioner, I am very proud of the fact that Monroe County was the first local government in Indiana to appoint a bi-partisan committee to redraw our maps in 2021.
I want to be on the education, local government, and public health committees
Former State Senator Vi Simpson
Yes, and I am willing to compromise if it moves policies closer to where I think they should be. Baby steps forward are better than no step forward.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Elections for the Indiana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 3, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 5, 2016.
Incumbent Peggy Mayfield defeated Penny Githens in the Indiana House of Representatives District 60 general election.[3][4]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 60 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Peggy Mayfield Incumbent |
63.44% | 18,885 | |
| Democratic | Penny Githens | 36.56% | 10,882 | |
| Total Votes | 29,767 | |||
| Source: Indiana Election Divsion | ||||
Penny Githens ran unopposed in the Indiana House of Representatives District 60 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 60 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Penny Githens (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Peggy Mayfield ran unopposed in the Indiana House of Representatives District 60 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 60 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Peggy Mayfield Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Penny Githens Indiana. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Indiana House of Representatives District 62 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election," February 5, 2016
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 5, 2022
- ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election candidates," February 5, 2016
- ↑ Indiana Election Division, "General election 2016 results," accessed December 16, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election candidates," February 5, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election Results," accessed August 18, 2016
Current members of the Indiana House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Todd Huston
Majority Leader:Matthew Lehman
Representatives
District 1
Carolyn Jackson (D)
District 2
Earl Harris (D)
District 3
Ragen Hatcher (D)
District 4
Edmond Soliday (R)
District 5
Dale DeVon (R)
District 6
Maureen Bauer (D)
District 7
Jake Teshka (R)
District 8
Ryan Dvorak (D)
District 9
Vacant
District 10
Charles Moseley (D)
District 11
District 12
Mike Andrade (D)
District 13
Matt Commons (R)
District 14
Vernon Smith (D)
District 15
Harold Slager (R)
District 16
Kendell Culp (R)
District 17
Jack Jordan (R)
District 18
David Abbott (R)
District 19
Julie Olthoff (R)
District 20
Jim Pressel (R)
District 21
Timothy Wesco (R)
District 22
Craig Snow (R)
District 23
Ethan Manning (R)
District 24
Hunter Smith (R)
District 25
Becky Cash (R)
District 26
Chris Campbell (D)
District 27
Sheila Klinker (D)
District 28
Jeffrey Thompson (R)
District 29
District 30
District 31
Lori Goss-Reaves (R)
District 32
District 33
John Prescott (R)
District 34
Sue Errington (D)
District 35
Elizabeth Rowray (R)
District 36
Kyle Pierce (R)
District 37
Todd Huston (R)
District 38
Heath VanNatter (R)
District 39
Daniel Lopez (R)
District 40
District 41
Mark Genda (R)
District 42
Tim Yocum (R)
District 43
Tonya Pfaff (D)
District 44
Beau Baird (R)
District 45
Bruce Borders (R)
District 46
Bob Heaton (R)
District 47
Robb Greene (R)
District 48
Doug Miller (R)
District 49
Joanna King (R)
District 50
Lorissa Sweet (R)
District 51
Tony Isa (R)
District 52
Ben Smaltz (R)
District 53
Ethan Lawson (R)
District 54
Cory Criswell (R)
District 55
District 56
Bradford Barrett (R)
District 57
Craig Haggard (R)
District 58
Michelle Davis (R)
District 59
Ryan Lauer (R)
District 60
Peggy Mayfield (R)
District 61
Matt Pierce (D)
District 62
Dave Hall (R)
District 63
Shane Lindauer (R)
District 64
Matt Hostettler (R)
District 65
Christopher May (R)
District 66
Zach Payne (R)
District 67
Alex Zimmerman (R)
District 68
Garrett Bascom (R)
District 69
Jim Lucas (R)
District 70
Karen Engleman (R)
District 71
District 72
Edward Clere (R)
District 73
Jennifer Meltzer (R)
District 74
Steve Bartels (R)
District 75
Cindy Ledbetter (R)
District 76
Wendy McNamara (R)
District 77
Alex Burton (D)
District 78
Tim O'Brien (R)
District 79
Matthew Lehman (R)
District 80
Phil GiaQuinta (D)
District 81
Martin Carbaugh (R)
District 82
Kyle Miller (D)
District 83
Christopher Judy (R)
District 84
Bob Morris (R)
District 85
David Heine (R)
District 86
Edward DeLaney (D)
District 87
Carey Hamilton (D)
District 88
Chris Jeter (R)
District 89
Mitch Gore (D)
District 90
Andrew Ireland (R)
District 91
Robert Behning (R)
District 92
Renee Pack (D)
District 93
Julie McGuire (R)
District 94
Cherrish Pryor (D)
District 95
John Bartlett (D)
District 96
Gregory Porter (D)
District 97
Justin Moed (D)
District 98
District 99
Vanessa Summers (D)
District 100
Robert Johnson (D)
Republican Party (70)
Democratic Party (29)
Vacancies (1)
