9th District candidates debate

JASPER, Ind. (WISH) - The hotly contested 9th Congressional District has some familiar faces vying for the seat once again this year. The candidates met for their first and only debate Tuesday night in Jasper.

If the names Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel sound familiar, they should. The candidates have been handing off the congressional baton to one another for the past eight years. 

Tuesday's debate was held at the Jasper Arts Center and the questions were posed by the audience. The economy and energy policy kicked off the evening.

"We have to develop all sources of energy to reduce dependence on foreign oil," said Sodrel.

"I believe we’re right there with being energy independent," said Hill.

Libertarian candidate Eric Schansberg also threw his hat into the ring this year. In the debate, he seemed to be the comic relief.

While the jabs candidates took at each other were mild, reducing gridlock in Washington DC did cause Sodrel to swing at Hill, accusing him of "maneuvering".

Another question was regarding abortion. All three candidates said they are pro life.