This is an edited transcript of a Wikinews exclusive audio interview.
File:Senator Mike Delph 2014.jpg
On Wikinews, we have an exclusive audio interview with Indiana State Senator Mike Delph.
Today is Thursday, March 27, 2014. I am Chad Tew and we are here in The Edge radio studios with my journalism students and recording from the campus of the University of Southern Indiana.
This is Wikinews.
Indiana State Senator Mike Delph is a Republican who represents the northwest side of Indianapolis and Carmel, as well as Zionsville, Indiana.
After being selected to finish former State Senator J. Murray Clark's final term in 2005, Mike Delph has served two full terms for District 29 in the Indiana State Senate. He is currently facing re-election this fall. His opponent is likely to be Democrat JD Ford, who is running as an openly gay candidate. 
Senator Delph has also been considered in the past for US Congress but he declined to run, and he has already been mentioned in the Indiana media as a possible candidate for any potential opening in the US Senate in 2016. He is widely known across the state of Indiana for both his Arizona-style legislation on immigration and his support of traditional marriage.
During the legislative session this year, Senator Delph made what is known in Indiana as the "tweet heard around the world". The tweet announced the defeat of a proposed amendment to the Indiana State Constitution in a form that would have banned civil unions. Senate leader David Long punished Delph because of this tweet on the grounds that it concerned confidential caucus information. What exactly took place in that Republican caucus and between Senator Delph and Senator Long is currently unknown to the public.
((WN))  Tew: State Senator Delph good morning and welcome to Wikinews.
((WN))  Chad Tew: Here with our first question is Ashely Jones Phillips. Jones Phillips: Hi! Good morning, Senator Mike Delph. My name Is Ashley Jones-Phillips. The first question that I have is, I wanted to know if you can tell me a little bit about your parents, where are you from, and where were you were raised and born?
((WN))  Jones Phillips: Can you tell where you went to school at?
((WN))  Tew: And those degrees are in ...?
((WN))  And lastly I want to know, how did you become interested in politics?
((WN))  Hello Senator Delph, I’m Sara Behnke. We were wanting to know about your family and your work outside of the Indiana Senate.
((WN))  Behnke: We understand that you and your wife home educate your children. How did you decide to home educate your children?
((WN))  Behnke: What is your religious affliation?
((WN))  Hello Senator Delph, I’m Jerrilyn Thompson, and I have a question for you. The Sagamore of the Wabash Award, you were awarded that in 2005. And this honorary award is awarded by the Governor. And what did you do to get this honor?
((WN))  Thompson: Okay, just a few more questions. You had mentioned earlier about the role that Congressman Dan Burton had played in your life, could you please talk a little bit more about that?
((WN))  Thompson: Okay one last question from me. What was your father and mother's relationship with former congressman Dan Burton?
((WN))  Jordan Mornout: You ended up losing your first campaign when you sought the nomination for Indiana's Secretary of State in 2002. Of course, your opponents that year were impressive, but can you tell us from your perspective about the dramatic finish to that nomination?
((WN))  Tew: And, in fact, you were both competing for [Senator Richard] Lugar's office.
((WN))  Yes.
((WN))  Tew: Let's pause for a brief identification.
((WN))  Chad Tew: This is Wikinews. It is March 27, 2014, and we are here in the radio studio of The Edge speaking to Indiana State Senator Mike Delph by telephone. Here with our next question is Justin Law.
((WN))  Law: Senator Delph, your opposition to same-sex marriage and your public expression of love for your brother Stephen has us wondering about how you reconcile what seems to some as contradictory stances. Could you explain to us your philosophical stand on homosexuality and support of traditional marriage? 
((WN))  Tew: Senator, your brother said on the air that you had set him up on a date. And you denied that. Could you just briefly talk about this?
((WN))  Bobby Shipman: Senator Delph, this is Bobby speaking now. HJR-3 — the proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage and civil unions? You said it was the best environment right now. Why is this the right time for HJR-3?
((WN))  Shipman: With the polls in Indiana showing a change in public opinion over the past several years that is more favorable to the acceptance of same-sex marriage, do you think it's going to be harder to support traditional marriage in the future? 
((WN))  Shipman: Since the amendment would have had a long lasting consequences on Hoosiers, didn't the process work this time?
((WN))  Tew: But there is also the Supreme Court that the legislature would have to deal with any kind of decision that's made between now and when they act next.
((WN))  Devyn Curry: Can you briefly give us your version of the chronology from the time you made the "tweet heard around the world" to the time when you were punished for the tweet.
((WN))  Curry: What were you trying to convey to the public through the media at the press conference?
((WN))  Curry: Senator, did you violate caucus rules of secrecy?
((WN))  Senator, Chad Tew here. Who leaked the information about your punishment to the media?
((WN))  Tew: Concerning your punishment, you've had a number of disagreements over the years with Senate leader David Long. Does Senate leader David Long serve the Republicans in the state senate or do they serve him?
((WN))  Tew: Thank you, Senator.  Let's pause for identification.
((WN))  Chad Tew: Mike Delph, a Republican who represents parts of Indianapolis, Carmel and Zionsville is with us this morning for an exclusive interview. It is March 27, 2014, and this is Wikinews. Welcome back, Senator.
((WN))  Rachel Christian: Senator Delph, you have been labeled as a social conservative. Where do you believe you fall on the political spectrum?
((WN))  Bradie Gray: Recently, political commentator Brian Howey wrote about your senate district. Is it fair to say that your district is not socially conservative, that your stand on HJR-3 might not been aligned with your constituents, and that the Democrats see your seat as an opportunity.
((WN))  Casie Mathies: Senator, this is Casie, how important are the business or establishment Republicans in your district and do you stand in danger of alienating them with your stands on HJR-3?
((WN))  Sean Kerchief: Your likely opponent in next fall's election, JD Ford, says he stands for, quote, equality. Do you?
((WN))  Keisha Wright: Senator Delph, What are the political stands that are going to provide the sharpest contrast between you and your likely political opponent, JD Ford this fall?
((WN))  Tew: Just a short question. You started your military service in what year?
((WN))  Tew: And you were promoted to major when? 
((WN))  Meredith Harris: You have been considered for higher offices. What qualities do you have to offer not only your district, but voters all over Indiana?
((WN))  Tew: Just briefly, senator. Your passage of the local government initiative that would allow governments to merge was very successful in your district, but not successful elsewhere around Indiana. What was it about your district that made it unique in that it decided to merge?
((WN))  Tew: Thank you, senator.  And, let's pause for identification.
((WN))  This is Wikinews, and we are back with Senator Mike Delph. I am Chad Tew, and we are here at The Edge radio studios with my journalism students and recording from the campus of the University of Southern Indiana, in Evansville. Our first question will come from Jordan.
((WN))  Jordan Bayes: Hi, Senator Delph, Jordan Bayes speaking. What ever became of the military investigation of you and the soldier who appeared by you at a press conference?
((WN)) Tew: And you were never punished for that, for the record?
((WN)) Tew: Yes, and then you were successfully promoted.
((WN))  Bayes: Tim Durham, who is now serving a 50-year sentence for running a Ponzi scheme in Indiana, was a major donator to Republicans, including your campaign. Former Governor Daniels for instance received almost $200,000 dollars. You were the first to give money back donated by Durham in 2011 after he was charged, which was $10,000 dollars. However you kept money donated by BP after the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. What kind of money do you think should be given back, and what kinds do you think are alright to keep?
((WN))  Dennis Marshall is here with our last question tonight, Dennis —
((WN))  Dennis: Senator you are well known for your support of the single class basketball here in Indiana, why is that such an important issue for you?
((WN))  Tew: You were a wrestler, too?
((WN))  Tew: Senator, were you a wrestler?
((WN))  Tew: Thank you Senator. This has been an exclusive interview with Mike Delph. Thank you very much Senator for being with us tonight and speaking to fifteen journalism students and myself...

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This has been an exclusive audio Wikinews interview with Indiana State Senator Mike Delph. To receive the latest news, please visit wikinews.org, presenting up-to-date, relevant, newsworthy and entertaining content without bias. Wikinews is a free service and it is funded by your generous donations. Click on the donate link on our homepage to learn how you can contribute. This recording has been released under the Creative Commons 2.5 License.

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Wikinews interviews Indiana State Senator Mike Delph