Frank
Mrvan
Personal Background
Birthdate
4/16/69 (51)
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian/White
Gender Identification
M
Religion
Catholic
Family
Married, 2 children
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
B.A. in Journalism, Ball State University
KEY HEALTH LINK
Mrvan established the “No More Secrets” campaign to reach and rescue abused children after learning that Indiana has the second-highest rate of forced sexual intercouse among high school girls in the U.S. His wife, Jane Mrvan, has also discussed that she is a survivor of child molestation. They ultimately succeeded getting a law passed to mandate at least one hour of school curriculum annually be related to child sexual abuse prevention.
Political/Professional Background
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE
Township Trustee (North Township, Indiana), 2005-2021
PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Caucasian/White
2020 ELECTION CONTEXT
Mrvan won the Democratic primary for Indiana’s 1st Congressional District in a field of 14 candidates. He took on Republican Mark Leyva in the general election to succeed retiring Democratic Congressman Pete Visclosky.
INCUMBENT REPLACED
Pete Visclosky (D), retired
MOST RECENT PROFESSION
Township Trustee (North Township, Indiana)
POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY
Mrvan worked as a licensed mortgage broker and pharmaceutical sales representative prior to beginning his government service. Mrvan was first appointed Township Trustee in 2005 following his predecessor’s resignation. He has served in this role since and will continue until January 3, 2021.
On The Issues
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
As Township Trustee, Mrvan has worked to "[promote] blood drives, [deliver] food to seniors and our health care workers, and [coordinate] emergency response capabilities through the Northwest Indiana Information Sharing and Security Alliance." Mrvan has stated that working on additional COVID-19 legislation will likely be one of the biggest issues early in his tenure in Congress.
HEALTH COVERAGE
Mrvan supports the ACA public option/universal coverage and he says one of his main priorities will be to "...improve access to affordable health care options."
MARIJUANA
No Info
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
In the spring of 2020, Mrvan worked as Township Trustee to create a mental health wellness hotline to connect residents and first responders with volunteer mental health service providers for free. Improved and expanded mental health services both for the community and first responders are at the heart of his approach to policing policy, Mrvan said. Since the summer of 2018, Mrvan has worked with an Opioid Working Group, consisting of representatives from the law enforcement community, community organizations and churches, to combat the opioid epidemic in Northwest Indiana. In addition, Mrvan has worked with local law enforcement agencies to host Narcan training exercises.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Mrvan has stated that, as a member of Congress, he will "champion solutions to lower the cost of prescription drugs."
VETERANS HEALTH CARE
As Township Trustee, Mrvan worked to "assist Veterans and their families with legal issues, financial literacy, substance abuse, housing and educational opportunities." In a letter to Pelosi after winning the election, Mrvan requested a seat on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Mrvan voted against a contentious bill at the state level that was dubbed by pro-choice advocates as "the strictest abortion law in the nation."
OTHER HEALTH CARE ISSUES
Mrvan has requested a seat on the Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee and/or the Veterans' Committee. Mrvan is a believer in value-based care: "You've got to be able to transition into a system of health that goes, instead of volume, to value-based preventative medicine."
DID YOU KNOW?
Mrvan’s father, Frank Mrvan Jr., has served for over 37 years in the Indiana State Senate.