“We have very big issues facing Northwest Indiana and our country, whether it’s the public health crisis, or public access to quality health care or whether it is environmental justice and climate change, there are big challenges for our region and our country,” he said.

I want to take everything I have learned from these experiences and my commitment to fight for everyone in the First District to Washington, D.C.”

When asked about the challenges representing the Northwest Indiana community that is as diverse as it is segregated, Harper offered solutions to bring about unity.

“This is a civil rights issue, and I would really like to see the federal government step in and really work to support the Gary school system and not just take money away from it,” Harper added.

Harper piggybacked on the health care issue—particularly around Medicare for All and the Green New Deal and how he sees these plans affecting the quality of life for Gary citizens.

And finally, he said: “I am a strong supporter of Community Benefits Agreements, but they are a first step, along with health care, transportation, federal investment and criminal justice reform.”