Meet the Candidates: Anthony Rubinacci
Candidates for the Vigo County Council and Commissioner primaries completed the following questionnaires. The responses have not been edited in any way.
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce is committed to fostering a strong business climate and a thriving community in Vigo County. As the County Council and County Commissioners play a critical role in shaping the fiscal and policy environment that affects businesses, residents and quality of life across our region, the Chamber believes it is important for voters to understand where candidates stand on the issues that matter most.
The following questionnaire has been developed to help Chamber members and their employees evaluate candidates seeking seats on the Vigo County Council and those running for Vigo County Commissioner. We appreciate each candidate's willingness to participate and encourage thoughtful, specific responses that reflect their vision, experience and priorities for Vigo County's future.
Name: Anthony Rubinacci (R - District 2)
Question: What steps have you taken to prepare yourself for the position for which you are running? (This could include reviewing Robert’s Rules of Order, participating in the West Central Indiana Civic Engagement series, attending and/or watching applicable meetings, etc…)
Answer: I’ve taken a hands-on approach to preparing for this role. I’ve participated in the West Central Indiana Civic Engagement Series and the Indiana Leadership Forum, and I earned my degree in Political Science from Indiana State University. Beyond that, I stay actively engaged in our community. As a Field Representative for U.S. Congressman Mark Messmer, I cover Vigo County and work directly with local leaders, businesses, and residents every day. That role has given me a strong understanding of the issues impacting our county and the region, and how decisions at every level of government affect growth and opportunity here at home.
Question: What expectations do you have for yourself or for others as elected officials, especially as it pertains to how meetings are to be conducted, your role in state/government functions and overall professionalism?
Answer: To me, it’s pretty simple—the County Council is the legislative body, and its role is to make informed decisions on budgets and policy, not to micromanage other elected officials. Voters ultimately decide whether someone is doing their job well. I believe meetings should be conducted with professionalism and respect. That means focusing on the facts, being prepared, and treating fellow elected officials and department heads as partners—not talking down to them or trying to be the loudest voice in the room. At the same time, the Council has a responsibility to thoroughly review requests, ask thoughtful questions, and be fully educated on what the county can responsibly fund. Transparency matters, but so does using the information already available to us and doing the homework ahead of time. My expectation for myself is to come prepared, stay focused on the issues, and approach every decision with respect for both taxpayers and the people doing the work on the ground.
Question: As a member of the County Council or as a Commissioner, what are the top 3-5 community priorities would you consider in how to best utilize the County's resources, including its cash reserves.
Answer: 1. Schools – The condition of our schools is directly tied to workforce development and long-term growth. If we want to attract and retain families and employers, we have to get this right. 2. Pro-Growth, Pro-Investment Approach – I support an all-of-the-above strategy when it comes to business investment—whether it’s local companies expanding or new employers coming into Vigo County. We should be a place that welcomes opportunity and makes it easier to invest and grow here. 3. Accessibility & Representation – District 2 deserves a council member who is present, responsive, and engaged. That means being visible in the community, easy to reach, and making sure constituents feel heard in county decisions. 4. Partnerships with West Terre Haute and Local Governments – Strong collaboration with towns like West Terre Haute is critical. When our local communities succeed, the entire county benefits, and I want to be part of helping them move forward in a positive direction. 5. Affordability & Responsible Growth – We need to keep Vigo County affordable while still growing. I would support exploring a collaborative effort or task force with local partners to ensure we’re balancing growth with the cost of living for families, seniors, and young people.
Question: Are you familiar with the See You in Terre Haute Community Plan and its vision for our future?
Answer: Yes
Question: Do you believe Terre Haute–Vigo County has improved over the past five years?
Answer: Yes
Question: What do you feel could make Vigo County more attractive to employers compared to other regions around the state and what role could you play in bringing these ideas to reality as a member of the County Council or as a Commissioner?
Answer: It starts with electing leaders who are open for business and willing to have a seat at the table with employers. Beyond that, Vigo County has to be competitive. That means being predictable in our decision-making, responsible with taxes, and proactive in supporting infrastructure, workforce development, and quality of life. Employers want to invest in communities where leadership is engaged, responsive, and solutions-oriented. As a member of the County Council, my role would be to help create that environment—by being accessible to employers, working collaboratively with local and regional partners, and ensuring our policies and investments support growth. I want Vigo County to be a place where businesses not only choose to locate, but choose to stay and expand.
Question: Do you agree with granting tax abatements to Companies as an enticement to attracting more business and jobs to our community?
Answer: Not Sure
Question: Why do you agree or disagree with tax abatements? And what stipulations/parameters would you like to see included?
Answer: I’m not against tax abatements, but I do believe we need to be more strategic and disciplined in how we use them. There are examples where companies have invested in our region—or neighboring counties—with more balanced agreements or without requesting abatements at all. That tells me we should be asking a simple question every time: Is this incentive truly necessary to secure the investment, or would it happen anyway? If we’re going to offer abatements, there needs to be clear accountability. That means setting measurable expectations for job creation, wages, and investment—and making sure companies follow through. If those commitments aren’t met, there should be mechanisms in place to revisit or adjust the agreement. At the end of the day, we have to balance economic development with fairness to taxpayers and small businesses. Abatements should be used as a tool to grow our economy—not as a default—and always with transparency, accountability, and a clear return on investment for Vigo County.
Question: Do you believe the current school facilities in Vigo County adequately serve students, teachers and the broader community?
Answer: No
Question: Please explain your answer regarding school facilities, including any additional information you would like to know.
Answer: No. Our current school facilities are not adequately serving students, teachers, or the broader community. I’ve seen it firsthand—I attended West Vigo and I hear it from friends who attended North and South. This has been an issue for years, and the reality is simple: we either act now, or it’s only going to cost more later. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. Modern, updated schools aren’t just about education—they’re about workforce development, quality of life, and economic growth. Employers look at the strength of a community’s schools when deciding where to invest. If we want to attract families and businesses, this has to be a priority. We need to move forward with a plan that is responsible, transparent, and mindful of taxpayers—but also recognizes that doing nothing is no longer an option. The time to act is now.
Question: Do you support the existence of the Vigo County Oversight Board as a mechanism for fiscal accountability?
Answer: Yes
Question: Please explain your answer regarding the Oversight Board, including any additional information you would like to know.
Answer: They’re doing an outstanding job at finding answers I never knew. I look forward to hearing their final recommendations soon.
Question: Do you support the Vigo County Council committing funds towards a new high school?
Answer: Yes
Question: Please explain your answer regarding the County committing funds to a new high school.
Answer: Yes—if it’s part of a responsible, long-term plan that also protects West Vigo and serves the entire county. We have to be realistic about our situation. Enrollment trends are declining, and we can’t afford to maintain multiple outdated facilities while also trying to invest in the future without a clear strategy. In many cases, it’s becoming more expensive to maintain these aging buildings than it would be to invest in new, efficient facilities through a structured bond plan. That’s why consolidation has to be part of the conversation. AND why I endorse the School Corporations push for consolidation. This isn’t just about buildings—it’s about the future of Vigo County. Modern school facilities support workforce development, attract families, and make our community more competitive for investment. My focus would be making sure any plan is done the right way—transparent, well-structured, and mindful of taxpayers—while recognizing that continuing to delay will only increase costs in the long run.
Question: What financial benchmarks or conditions, if any, would need to be met before you would support committing County funds to the school corporation for this project?
Answer: Before committing County funds, I want to make sure we’re planning not just for today, but for the future. If we’re going to build new schools, there needs to be a clear plan for growth—what happens if we see an increase in population, and how do we handle additional classroom needs down the line. I also want a full understanding of the financial impact. That includes how much of the annual budget would go toward bond payments, whether it would affect other county priorities, and if it would require any form of tax increase. I think we all know that residents are very sensitive to rising property taxes, so that has to be carefully considered. Ultimately, I would support a plan that is forward-looking, financially responsible, and transparent—one that prepares us for growth while protecting taxpayers and maintaining the county’s overall financial stability.
Question: Are you familiar with the West Central Indiana Regional Plan and its priorities?
Answer: Yes
Question: West Central Indiana communities (Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties) are increasingly working together to strengthen the regional economy, attract talent and improve quality of life. What opportunities do you see for Vigo County to collaborate with neighboring counties to strengthen the regional economy?
Answer: Housing is a major opportunity for regional collaboration, especially as nearby counties like Sullivan are seeing increased attention from data center and energy development. As those projects grow, there will be more demand for workforce housing, and Vigo County is well-positioned to help meet that need. We already function as a regional hub in many ways. People commute across county lines for work every day, and Vigo County offers assets that support that—education, healthcare, and a strong local business base. By working together, we can better align housing, infrastructure, and workforce development to support regional growth. Vigo County can play a key role by positioning itself as a place where businesses can expand and where workers can live, while partnering with neighboring counties to ensure we’re all growing in a way that benefits the entire region.
