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The 2024 U.S. elections are set for Tuesday, Nov. 5, with the president and vice president at the top of party tickets. Beyond that, 34 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate and all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be contested in, according to current polls, one of the closest races in recent history. In many states, early voting has already begun.

On Wednesday, Oct 16, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s 2024 fall Janus Forum will host two women who both served in the U.S. House of Representatives: Republican Susan Brooks, who represented the 5th District of Indiana in 2013-2021, and Democrat Stephanie Murphy, who represented Florida’s 7th District in 2017-2023. Acknowledging the stark divisions within the U.S. and many of the key concerns of voters, they will discuss the state of the American political system and the future of our political parties after next month’s elections.

The Janus Forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Wilks Theater, Armstrong Student Center. It is free and open to the public, but tickets should be acquired through ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s online Box Office due to limited seating. It will immediately be followed by a public reception.

“Though they came from opposite sides of the aisle, Rep. Brooks and Rep. Murphy have shared several years together representing their districts on Capitol Hill and have unique perspectives on the different factions inside both parties that may rise or fall depending on the results in November,” said Patrick Haney, professor of Political Science. “With so much on the line in the upcoming elections, their personal insights regarding the future of the Republican and Democratic parties — and the prospects for more third party candidates — will make for a great conversation.”

Susan Brooks (R-IN)

During her years in Congress, Susan Brooks was involved in key legislation to reform emergency response, healthcare, manufacturing, technology innovation, higher education, and public safety. Brooks has advised companies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and hospitals on operations and workforce planning and development during organizational transformations. She is known for her bipartisan relationships and as a catalyst for economic development. 

Brooks graduated from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú in 1982 with degrees in Political Science and Sociology. As a student, she also served as chapter president of her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. In addition to serving as a U.S. Representative, she was also a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana from 2001-2007, leading her state through crisis in the wake of 9/11 and establishing a counter-terrorism unit. Since leaving Congress she was elected to the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation, the largest financial holding company based in Central Indiana, and also serves on boards in healthcare. 

Stephanie Murphy (D-FL)

Elected as the first Vietnamese American woman in the U.S. Congress, Stephanie Murphy was recognized by the Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index as one of its most effective and bipartisan members. She led on trade and national security issues, established the Employee Retention Tax Credit, and played a key role in historic investments in infrastructure and policies addressing climate change. Murphy also served on the House Select Committee on the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Murphy is also the founder of the Center Aisle Coalition, which champions America’s commonsense center in today’s hyper-partisan political environment. She currently serves in an advisory role for organizations in the financial services, consumer products, and pharmaceutical industries, helping executives navigate the complex geopolitical and business landscape. She is a national security advisory board member for the Rand Corporation and the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, as well as co-chair of the U.S. Global ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip Coalition.

“Rep. Brooks and Rep. Murphy will be coming together on stage during a uniquely contentious moment in our nation’s history,” said John Forren, director of the Menard Family Center for Democracy. “Vigorous, civil discourse is an important hallmark of any democracy, and we look forward to hearing their sincere views and discovering more common ground.”

Serving as Janus Forum moderator will be senior Political Science major Minnie Warfield. Senior Political Science, Individualized Studies, and Women and Gender Studies major Grace Gaston will introduce the forum and serve as Janus Forum’s president alongside Warfield.

“The Janus Forum is a place for students and faculty to better understand pressing issues within our political sphere,” Gaston said. “In a time of extremism and divisiveness, our forum aims to encourage civil discourse and spark interest in issues from all across the political spectrum. Students leave the forum hearing both sides of an issue and come to their own conclusions.” 

Warfield added, “In advance of next month’s election it will be an invaluable opportunity for students to hear both sides of the aisle from two former United States Representatives.”

Offered twice each year, the Janus Forum is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, thanks to the generous support of Thomas W. Smith  ’50 and the Menard Family Center for Democracy.