> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Rep. and 9th District Congressional candidate Baron Hill is questioning the accuracy of statements made by his Republican opponent Todd Young, regarding the Bloomington lawyer’s role as a deputy prosecutor in Orange County.

On his website www.toddyoungforcongress.com, Young lists as one of his accomplishments serving as a part-time deputy prosecutor in Orange County since 2007.

But recent media accounts have raised questions about how involved Young has  been in that position. During a Thursday press conference at Clark County Democratic Party Headquarters in Jeffersonville, Hill accused Young of being disingenuous while attempting to connect the Republican’s track record as a deputy district attorney to comments he made regarding Social Security.

“There is a pattern developing here about how truthful Todd Young really is,” Hill said.

The Hill campaign is alleging Young has not been paid by the Orange County Prosecutor’s Office since 2007, and has only appeared in circuit court on the county’s behalf three days during the past three years.

“The reason why I’m raising this issue is because campaigns are all about issues, and I’m talking about issues,” Hill said. “Todd Young is dodging issues.”

Hill’s television advertisements have focused on comments made by Young regarding Social Security. One commercial attacked Young for referring to the federal program as a Ponzi scheme during a town hall meeting, and the latest criticized the Republican for categorizing Social Security and Medicare as social welfare.

Hill has continued to call Young’s stance on Social Security into question, saying he has not clearly stated his platform on how he will protect the retirement program.

Hill claims the reason is that Young doesn’t want people to know where he stands on the issues, adding that Young’s opinions on other topics “takes him far to the right” of most voters in Indiana’s 9th District.

But the Young campaign on Thursday accused Hill of dodging issues of his own.

According to a news release issued following Thursday’s press conference, the Young campaign accused the incumbent congressman is desperately attempting to divert attention away from issues like the economy and jobs by questioning Young’s service as a deputy district attorney.

Young is one of three lawyers in Indiana who can legally try a case for prosecution in Orange County, according to the statement.

“Don’t take our word for it. As Kelly Minton, Orange County Prosecutor, recently said ‘Todd is a deputy prosecutor. End of story,’” according to the release.

“This latest round of Dumpster-diving and mudslinging is yet another episode in Hill’s desperate attempt to cling to power and avoid discussing his own record,” according to Young’s campaign.  

Young has consistently pointed to the downturn in the economy, double digit unemployment rates and Hill’s support of a President Barack Obama-backed federal stimulus plan as reasons why the Democrat from Seymour isn’t suited to reclaim his U.S. House seat.

Hill recently ended his walking tour of the 9th District and said jobs and the economy were the popular topics mentioned by the people he encountered.

As for Obama’s Labor Day weekend announcement of a $50 billion infrastructure plan based on footing transportation projects, Hill said he would reserve judgment on the measure and whether he’ll support it until he has more details.

“I think it’s an interesting proposal. [Obama] says it’s going to be paid for. That’s my big thing, I don’t want to run up these deficits any further,” he said.