The Mail-Journal recently asked state and U.S. Congressional candidates to submit a brief biography and answer one question: “What is the most important issue facing the officeholder this term and why?”

The answers from those who responded are compiled below:

United States Representative – 2nd District Indiana:

Brendan Mullen, Democrat: No response.

Joseph Wayne Ruiz, Libertarian. Bio: Joe Ruiz is married and the father of two who lives in Mishawaka. Raised in La Porte County, he graduated from Michigan City High School and attended Bethel College before graduating with his bachelor of science degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University. He will graduate with a Master’s of Business degree in December. Ruiz currently works with at-risk youth at the Family and Children’s Center.

Question: “There are several huge issues facing Congress this term, not the least of which are its wasteful spending practices, the looming debt crisis and its considerable willingness to forfeit its Constitutional authorities to the executive branch. However, all of these things would be more likely to find solutions if Capitol Hill weren’t so plagued by blind partisanship. I will actively seek alliances from all parties to meet specific results.”

Jackie Walorski, Republican. Bio: Jackie Walorski was born in South Bend, graduating from Riley High School and with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Taylor University. She was a reporter at WSBT-TV and worked as a development director to raise funds for local colleges and universities. Shortly after marrying her husband ,Dean, a Mishawaka schoolteacher, the couple moved to Romania and founded their own agency and local foundation to help impoverished children. After returning home, she ran for the Indiana State House and was elected in 2004, where she served six years.

Question: “My priority is to use the experience and success I gained during her tenure in the State Legislature and apply it on a federal level to create more jobs and restore fiscal sanity for our nation. While serving in the Indiana house, I voted for bipartisan legislation to balance the budget and pass meaningful economic reforms. I was part of the team that turned Indiana’s $1 billion deficit into a surplus and restored their AAA bond rating. I supported the establishment of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which created incentives and tax credits for businesses. I hope to work towards the same goals in Congress. Through bipartisanship and team building, I am confident I can work across the aisle with other members of Congress to find common sense solutions for American families. I want to encourage growth and hiring for Hoosier companies.I wants to get our fiscal house in order.”

United States Representative – 3rd District Indiana:

Kevin R. Boyd, Democrat. Bio: Kevin Boyd has been an active member of the local community since moving to Fort Wayne in 1989. During that time, he and his  wife of 35 years, Barb, have raised two children, Diana and Rob. They have one grandchild. Boyd has spent 30 years as a Presbyterian minister and has served the Fort Wayne community for 23 years as minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church. When the economy began to go bad and to continue the survival of vital church functions, he voluntarily took a pay cut and has worked a second job as an assistant manager at an insurance company in Fort Wayne since 2007.

Question: “The important issue facing the Congress in the next term is the economy. We have to get America back on track and good paying jobs back in the third district. Our area is prepared to provide a skilled workforce to companies requiring advanced manufacturing. One of the tasks of the next Congressman from the third district will be to bring companies back to our area and show them the benefits of opening facilities in northeastern Indiana. But, before Congress can tackle this monumental task, the 113th Congress will need to learn to work together. The dysfunction in Washington, D.C., is doing serious damage to our country and I’m running to help bring moderate voices back to our nation’s capital. When elected, I will work hard to find common ground with those whom I may not agree with.”

Marlin A. Stutzman, Republican. No response.

State Representative – District 12:

Jim Ball, Democrat. No response.

Carlin Yoder, Republican. No response.

State Representative – District 22:

John Bonitati, Democrat. No response.

Rebecca Kubacki, Republican. Bio: “From migrant camp to the Indiana State House as the State Representative for District 22, I am living the American dream.I am the first Hispanic Republican American elected to the Indiana General Assembly. My parents believed that learning English and working hard was the recipe for success. They were right. I reside in Syracuse with my husband, Mike. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. We have two children, Katherine Kubacki and two grandchildren, Bella and Roman. Our son Matt is in law school and is married to his wife, Lindsay. I was awarded the Volunteer of the Year, Wheaton , Ill.; Los Angeles Volunteer of the Year, Boys & Girls Aide Society; and Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year.” She serves on many local, regional and state boards. Legislative committees that she as serves on in the Indiana House of Representatives are Ways and Means and Small Business and Economic Development.

Question: “Jobs will always be a priority. We must continue to advocate pro-business legislation. Government can not create jobs but we can create a business friendly climate. Another top priority is Early Childhood Development. We need to make our educational investment in the early stages of learning where the learning foundation is set. I will continue to fight the war on drugs, especially meth. It is killing our community and devastating our families. There is an assault on family farming traditions coming from Washington, D.C., I will do all I can to protect our small community values and farming practices.