What is your professional experience?

Former communications professional for trade associations; editor/proofreader; currently a legal assistant

What is your public office experience?

current elected official running for a different office

If applicable, please list offices you have run for or held.

Muncie City Council

What are the specific skills that you bring to the position for which you are running?

I bring my past three years of campaigning for and sitting on Muncie City Council to this position. Over that time, I've met and listened to constituents from across Muncie and Delaware County. I've heard their concerns and assisted in the ways available to me. I have learned the extent to which that's possible at the city level, and how the state level is sometimes the only avenue for real change. My knowledge of our local issues will allow me to fight for the district's needs in ways that could make real differences in our residents' lives. I'm also passionate about fighting for and speaking up for all Hoosiers' rights.

What are your top 3 priorities if you are elected?

Fighting to raise the minimum and sub minimum wage; funding public education, including Pre-K for all; and landlord regulation reform to assist our many District 34 renters

How do your values motivate your run for office?

I'd say if I didn't have my values, I wouldn't be running. As long as I can remember, I have believed in fairness and equity (even before I knew that word). I actually can recall when I knew I was a feminist (although at 8 years old, I may not have realized it). And my integrity runs deep--sometimes obnoxiously so! All these values motivate my run, as well as how I represent my constituents.

Key Issues

Please share with us your position on a number of issues that are key for Muncie Resists and describe what actions you would take with regard to them. We recognize that some elected positions may not have a direct role in addressing some of these issues, but if you had an opportunity to have an impact, what would you want that to be?

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support the rights of

a. LGBTQ+ individuals?

I believe my friends who are part of that community would call me a strong ally. In addition, as a city council member, I authored, co-sponsored and voted for a Transgender Awareness Day resolution. I've also made financial contributions to local LGBTQ+ organizations and regularly attend Pride and other LGBTQ+ events.

b. people with disabilities?

I contacted and made the nomination for a wheelchair user to be on the Human Rights Commission. I think it's important to have diversity of all kinds on that board.

c. people experiencing poverty?

Like so many in our community, I've volunteered for and donated to many organizations over the years: food pantries, thrift stores, shelters, etc. As a city councilperson, I've been able to have some say in where tax dollars go including to various community organizations assisting our in need community members. As mentioned, I also have raising the minimum and sub minimum wage as one of my main campaign issues. In addition, my priority to legislate more stringent regulation of landlords would help low income community members. Safe and affordable housing creates stability and increases the chances to find employment and educational opportunities.

d. immigrants?

I contacted my legislators requesting the vote against the anti-immigrant bills that were pushed through the state this year. I will continue to fight against the use of law enforcement as a weapon to target and profile our residents. I will vote against any bill introduced that allows targeting, detaining, deporting, etc. I will continue to fight for the use of due process for all.

e. people who are racial or ethnic minorities/minoritized individuals?

I attempt to be anti-racist, rather than just not racist. I've always spoken up for civil rights and affirmative action/DEI policies. At the statehouse, I will work to find ways to bring back funding for programs that have been defunded. It's especially important we demand our public schools are teaching accurate history that includes all people's stories.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support voter access? (This might include your position on vote centers, polling hours, voter IDs, signature matching, the SAVE act, etc.)

I have spoken up for vote centers and hope that Delaware County sees increased participation with the new system. I called my legislators about both the voter ID laws and the SAVE act, asking them to vote against them. I will push to increase polling hours at the state level. The fact that many counties are moving toward vote centers would allow some poll workers to cover extra hours at the centers.

In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the power of local and state governments. In what contexts would you support resistance by local officials?

I support local officials resisting ICE invasions, any law enforcement impeding lawful protests, ICE detention centers being built or commissioned, and any military being deployed for any of the above. That's a good start.

In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the constitutional rights of the people. How would you protect and defend our constitutional rights?

I will vote against any bill that infringes upon our rights, and speak out against them. I will make sure my constituents are aware of the dangers and know how they can make their opinions known.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support healthcare access for all?

I believe only three states have a version of state access for all. I of course support it. At the state level, we need to make sure we're taking advantage of all Medicaid options. Looking at some type of "reinsurance" plan for healthcare cost would be interesting too.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to address affordability of

housing costs?

I'm a supporter of the Muncie Land Bank: I've lobbied for them to be better funded by the city. They are in the process of building back a 30+ house neighborhood of affordable homes. In addition, I'd like to work to increase the state's rental assistance program and provide more mortgage options for lower cost homes.

food costs?

Encouraging more grocery companies to move into the district would help. In addition, more neighborhood gardens through possible zoning changes would keep produce costs down.

healthcare costs?

States can legislate to regulate hospital prices, and I would support Indiana doing so. I'd vote for many other cost reductions strategies: Rx caps, more preventative screening options, payment reforms. I would not support more layoffs and pay decreases for healthcare workers.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support discussion about science, history, and gender as necessary parts of educating children in our schools?

I commit to support real science in public schools, teaching history that covers all peoples' experiences, and acceptance of whatever gender identity students choose for themselves. I will also add advocating for sex education based in science.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support public education?

I purposely chose Muncie Public Schools for my son's education. He was headed into high school when the state began the takeover of the school corporation. I spoke against it at public meetings on the subject. As a city councilperson, I have worked with Central's AP Government class for three years on their annual resolution project. I'm a member of Indiana Coalition on Public Education, and as mentioned already, funding public education, specifically universal pre-K, is a main tenant of my campaign.

What do you think should be Indiana’s priority in terms of the electrical grid and energy generation sources? What have you done and/or what do you commit to do regarding a clean energy economy?

I believe we should be looking to clean energy in order to protect our environment. We could also choose to be a leader in clean energy jobs and training for those jobs. I commit to vote for solutions to those issues.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to make your specific area of government more transparent to your constituents?

I have shared agendas and documents with my constituents as a city councilperson. I've sponsored, co-sponsored and voted for resolutions and ordinances strengthening the city's transparency to its residents. I will continue these efforts at the state level. I commit to regular town halls and legislative updates to my constituents as a state representative.

Do you have any questions? Is there anything else you would like to share?