issues in the moMent
OTHER TOPICS shaping today’s conversations
LGBTQ+ Advocacy: When tolerance isn’t enough.
Earlier on in my campaign, I heard that apparently, I am more supportive of the LGBTQ+ community than my opponents, & it has only been recently some have claimed advocacy.
There’s a difference between tolerance & actual advocacy.
Saying LGBTQ+ people have “the same rights as everyone else” ignores the reality that our rights are targeted with unique & relentless hostility. Tolerance sounds like “do what you want, just don’t make me uncomfortable.”
Marginalized communities, especially where they intersect, need more than tolerance. They need advocates who understand the harm, will act decisively, & will speak up without hesitation.
As a gay woman who knows what it’s like to feel unheard, I believe the question is simple: when decisions are made, do you want someone who merely tolerates you or someone who will fight for you?
Advocacy is action, not words.
LGBTQ+ Advocacy: When tolerance isn’t enough.
Earlier on in my campaign, I heard that apparently, I am more supportive of the LGBTQ+ community than my opponents, & it has only been recently some have claimed advocacy.
There’s a difference between tolerance & actual advocacy.
Saying LGBTQ+ people have “the same rights as everyone else” ignores the reality that our rights are targeted with unique & relentless hostility. Tolerance sounds like “do what you want, just don’t make me uncomfortable.”
Marginalized communities, especially where they intersect, need more than tolerance. They need advocates who understand the harm, will act decisively, & will speak up without hesitation.
As a gay woman who knows what it’s like to feel unheard, I believe the question is simple: when decisions are made, do you want someone who merely tolerates you or someone who will fight for you?
Advocacy is action, not words.
the cost of indiana’s business tax cuts: conflicts of interest don’t serve hoosiers
Let me start by pointing out all of my opponents own businesses - I do not.
Last year’s “property tax cut” (SEA 1) was the largest business tax cut in Indiana history. Nearly 85% of businesses now pay zero in personal property taxes & billion‑dollar corporations can invest here & never be taxed at all.
Indiana supports business growth, & it should. But Indiana has become cheaper for corporations & more expensive for working families. SEA 1 lowered taxes for businesses, but overtime it puts more costs on homeowners & our community. We need leadership that puts people first. Voters deserve a state senator focused on the people, not corporations, & especially not for personal gain.
This raises an important question: can tax laws really be fair if the people writing them also benefit from the changes?
When lawmakers personally benefit from tax cuts, objectivity is at risk.
I do not own a business nor have any stake in policies that benefit one. You deserve a senator who can put people first, without conflicts of interest. I can do that.
the mental health month
May is Mental Health Month! Anyone who knows me, knows this has been my license plate & bumper sticker for several years now - & that’s for a reason.
As a school social worker, I have witnessed firsthand children & families struggle with access to mental health providers. Waitlists, issues with insurance, lack of transportation, lack of parental involvement, canceled appointments, therapists quitting, etc.
However, the issues facing families & individuals today continue to grow & intensify.
Our mental health needs outgrew our mental health services a long time ago. Unfortunately, this struggle is not new. Hoosiers are begging for help with meeting their most basic needs & those unmet needs = increase in mental health issues.
Chronic stress, poverty, food insecurity, exposure to violence, housing instability, & limited access to healthcare are all risk factors for mental health issues. The current affordability crisis is putting even more Hoosiers at risk.
ALL 92 counties in Indiana are federally designated as mental health workforce shortage areas.
Indiana’s suicide rate has been higher than the national average since 1999.
1 in 9 adolescent Hoosiers aged 12-17 have serious thoughts of suicide each year.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for Hoosiers ages 10-24.
Tippecanoe County has 1 mental health care provider for every 579 residents.
Carroll County has 1 mental health care provider for every 1,278 residents.
Systemic barriers like transportation limitations, a lack of culturally competent providers, & constrained healthcare access make it harder for people of color to obtain mental health services.
45% of LGBTQ+ youth in Indiana seriously considered suicide in the past year, & about 50% wanted mental health care but were unable to access it.
Untreated mental illness costs Indiana more than $4 billion each year.
If elected, I would support Hoosier’s mental health by:
Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to support community mental health centers & expand the number of providers who accept Medicaid.
Supporting more school-based mental health programs & increasing training for school staff in crisis response & de-escalation strategies.
Expanding telehealth options making mental health care more accessible to the elderly & disabled.
Supporting additional training for mental health professionals in providing culturally responsive care.
Addressing the leading causes of chronic stress: overall affordability, stable housing, livable wages, access to community resources, & access to healthcare.
Mental Health Resources in Tippecanoe & Carroll Counties:
NAMI - West Central
www.nami-wci.org 765-447-8494
Mental Health America (MHA) - Wabash Valley Region
www.mhawv.org 765-742-1800
988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline
988indiana.org
Call, text, or chat 24/7.
THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965
IThe U.S. Supreme Court just weakened one of the most important civil rights laws in our nation’s history: the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The Court struck down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district & raised the legal bar for proving racial discrimination in voting; now requiring proof of intent, not just impact.
For decades, this law helped ensure fair representation & protect voters from discrimination. Now, that protection is being narrowed, making it harder to challenge maps that dilute people’s voices.
This isn’t abstract. It affects who gets heard, who gets represented, & whether our elections truly reflect our communities.
I believe our democracy works best when it includes everyone. That means fair maps, equal access to the ballot, & leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up when those principles are threatened.
like I’ve said many times before, if elected, I’ll defend access to the ballot & push back against efforts - at any level - that make it harder for people to be heard.
Because representation shouldn’t depend on who draws the lines.
INTEGRITY
INTEGRITY: Hoosiers deserve an honest, transparent government that puts people first & is accountable for its actions.
CURRENT CHALLENGES:
In 2024, Indiana ranked 41st in voter turnout.
24 states have automatic voter registration - Indiana is not one of them.
Lawmakers have proposed reducing early voting access.
Cabinet members have used taxpayer funds for luxury vehicles.
Senior state administrator salaries have significantly increased in recent years.
Governor - increased 65% to $221,024 - One of the highest in the country!
Lt. Governor - increased 66% to $194,501.
State Attorney General - increased 50% to $183,450.
Treasurer, Secretary of State, Comptroller - increased 44% to $145,876.
All while our minimum wage has remained stagnant for 17 years.
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:
Focus on collaboration, integrity, & ethics in decision-making.
Eliminate no-bid contracts & strengthen transparency to prevent corruption & fraud.
Expand the supply of affordable housing.
Promote community-centered economic growth that is balanced & nonpartisan.
Protect election access while ensuring security & integrity.
As grassroots as it gets: no paid advisers, just real conversations
I made a deliberate decision not to hire a political adviser for this primary campaign. Because transparency & authenticity aren’t just values I talk about; they’re values I practice. It was important to me that I present myself as authentically as I could. What you see online is what you get in person. I don’t walk around topics without answering a question, we have experienced enough politicians who say a lot without really saying anything at all.
Every decision I make is grounded in conversations with our community, not talking points crafted in a back room, intentionally worded to be vague & not ruffle feathers.
That means what you hear from me is real, direct, & rooted in the experiences of the people I serve. I’ve spent my career listening to people, advocating for them, & showing up in real moments - not rehearsed ones. I didn’t want that to change just because I’m running for office.
When I speak, it’s not filtered. When I take a position, it’s clear, not convoluted. It’s grounded in what I’ve seen & what I’ve learned.
This campaign is powered by the people, for the betterment of all people, rooted in honest & clear communication, & that’s exactly how I plan to govern.
THE SAVE ACT FAILS IN THE SENATE
Some news worth celebrating!
The SAVE Act has officially stalled in the Senate.
While the House approved the bill, the Senate did not pass it, preventing it from becoming law. As of now, the legislation is dead unless Congress revisits it.
This is a win for MILLIONS of voters across the country!
A LOSS FOR INDIANA VOTERS: STUDENT ID BAN BACK INTO EFFECT
An unfortunate update that came super quick already - Indiana’s ban on student IDs goes back into effect.
For decades, qualifying student IDs from public colleges & universities were accepted to vote. In 2025, the Indiana General Assembly introduced & advanced a law banning student IDs.
Just recently, a federal judge temporarily blocked the ban. However, the appeals court just reinstated it while the case continues.
An estimated 40,000-90,000 students statewide could be affected - that’s a lot of voters. This is unacceptable & a further act of voter suppression.
Why the state senate needs a social worker.
We shouldn’t settle for career politicians that stick to the status quo. However, we also can’t afford to have leadership that lacks any sort of experience or knowledge in navigating the impact of policy on the community.
As a social worker, I would bring something that’s often missing in politics: real-world, people-centered problem solving.
Here’s why that matters, especially in Indiana right now:
I understand how systems actually work (& fail).
I don’t just talk about policy, I see how it plays out in real lives everyday. Better policymaking should consider unintended consequences, gaps in service, & who is missing from the conversation.
I center people, not politics.
The core of my work is meeting people where they are. I’ve seen the impacts of childcare access, mental health gaps, & rural healthcare shortages.
I bring empathy, dignity, & practical support.
I know what families actually need.
I work directly with parents trying to navigate childcare, youth in foster care, families facing housing instability. I know what “family policy” actually is & how it impacts families - all families.
I am trained in ethics & accountability.I follow a professional code of integrity, advocacy, & protecting vulnerable populations. This is leadership focused on responsibility, transparency, & fairness - not political wins.
I connect the dots across all issues.
I understand how housing affects education, mental health affects employment, healthcare affects economic stability.
I am skilled in listening & mediation.
Good policy starts with listening, especially to those who are often ignored. I am trained to de-escalate conflict, build consensus, & advocate without dehumanizing.
I focus on prevention, not just reaction.
Instead of only responding to crises, I also prioritize early intervention, long-term stability, & community-based solutions. This thinking would save taxpayer dollars & improve outcomes.
If you want leadership that not only brings a new perspective, but also has the passion to make positive change, a longstanding proven history of advocacy & service especially for some of the most vulnerable, the knowledge & experience in having to navigate the impacts of policy. You should vote for someone who can walk the walk, not just talk to the talk, & not only when it most benefited them & their campaign.
GOV. BRAUN’S “IRON NATION-INDIANA”: Compromising Indiana’s Ingrastructure at Your Expense
Governor Braun’s “Iron Nation - Indiana” initiative is $15 million of your money being spent to invest in Israeli firms to partner with & deploy technology within Indiana companies, universities, & healthcare systems.
This initiative raises unanswered questions around data security & oversight. I oppose Israel’s pattern of violence, & I believe Indiana must carefully consider whether public investments align with our values & responsibilities.
Possible risks of this initiative we need to consider:
Critical Infrastructure Exposure - potential risk to essential systems like hospitals, utilities, or transportation.
Data Security & Privacy - potential risk to personal or sensitive data.
Cybersecurity Risks to Public Systems - potential risk of hacking or system disruptions.
Local Workforce & Economic Displacement - potential risk that job creation may be limited or not accessible to local workers.
Public Oversight & Democratic Accountability - potential risk of limited transparency & public control.
Long-Term Resilience vs. Short-Term Investment - potential risk that public investment may not deliver lasting economic returns for Indiana communities.
Why This Matters for Indiana Communities:
Infrastructure is more than technology, it supports healthcare access, education, transportation, & public safety.
At a time when families are struggling with rising costs, rural communities need better infrastructure, & there is mounting pressure on small businesses - why are we prioritizing millions in public funding to subsidize companies from overseas?
Let’s be clear: 1) I believe in innovation & economic growth, but Hoosier tax dollars should be invested in Hoosiers first. 2) as a matter of personal principle, I do not support Israel’s pattern of violence.
Braun’s $200M in Indiana’s Child Care: Delayed Responsibility, Real Consequences for Hoosier Families.
Governor Braun recently announced a $200 million investment to resume the Child Care & Development Fund (CCDF) enrollment, after the program had been closed for over a year, over 300 childcare centers closed across the state, & thousands of families already had to make the difficult decision to leave the workforce or go into debt to manage care costs.
The initial closure decision predates Braun, but how long it lasted, how severe it became, & how it was handled afterward did fall under his responsibility.
For over a year, Braun did not reopen enrollment, allowed the waitlist to grow to over 30,000 children, & cut the CCDF reimbursement that directly contributed to the closure of those 300+ childcare centers, which made it even more difficult for families to find care even if they already had vouchers.
Don’t be fooled, this investment is barely an attempt to counteract the damage his administration caused.
Hoosier families deserve better.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS STUDENT ID BA
A win for voters in Indiana!
Your right to vote matters, & today, it was defended.
A federal court has blocked a law signed by Governor Braun (originally authored by Republican state senator Blake Doriot) that would have prevented Indiana students from using their college IDs to vote. The judge ruled the ban placed unconstitutional burdens on students & young voters.
This is a victory for fairness, access, & the fundamental right to vote; not just for students, but for all Hoosiers who believe democracy should be inclusive.
Let’s keep showing up, staying informed, & protecting our right to participate!
Integrity isn’t something you put on when it’s convenient
Unfortunately, we can’t always trust people to do the right thing. Good intentions alone are not enough. In moments that matter, especially when decisions affect the most vulnerable, what counts is not what someone says, but what they have consistently done.
Integrity is demonstrated over time, through action, long before an election arrives or when policy suddenly impacts someone.
As the oldest child in a single‑parent household, with a mother who often worked two jobs to just keep us afloat, responsibility wasn’t optional - it was survival. I learned to help, to advocate, to care from a very early age. I quickly learned the importance of community & the failures of the system.
Those experiences didn’t push me toward comfort or distance; they pulled me toward service.
Since my teenage years at Harrison High School, over 20 years ago, I actively sought out every opportunity to help where help was needed: folding clothes at the Lincoln Center so someone could walk into a job interview with dignity, organizing donations at Trinity Mission for families to find appliances for their homes, serving meals to the hungry, showing up behind the scenes where no one is watching. Not because it was expected, but because it was right.
This year will be my 25th year with Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM), having served 3 of those as a camper, 13 as a volunteer, & 9 as the LUM Camp Director, helping ensure hundreds of children experienced safety, stability, & belonging.
That kind of work doesn’t happen overnight or in 6 months. It happens through trust, consistency, & a deep commitment to my community.
Integrity isn’t something you put on when it’s convenient or when it needs to be recognized or recorded. Service isn’t something you discover when it suddenly affects you personally. Both are built over a lifetime of showing up, especially when it’s hard.
This isn’t a whim or a performance for me, this is a lifetime of service.
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER? Step Four: Find a Polling Place in Tippecanoe County
Hey Tippecanoe County, as we approach the primary election, I want to get you prepared to head to the ballot box informed & with confidence! YOU GOT THIS!
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER?
Step Four: Find a Polling Place
Early Voting Schedule in Tippecanoe County.
April 7th - April 10th, 8am - 4:30pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
April 13th - April 17th, 8am - 4:30pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
April 18th, 9am - 1pm at the McAllister Recreation Center.
April 20th - April 24th, 8am - 4:30pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
April 21st, 10am - 4pm at the France A Cordova Recreation Center.
April 23rd, 12pm - 5pm at the First United Methodist Church in West Lafayette.
April 25th
9am - 4pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
9am - 1pm at the West Point Fire Station.
9am - 1pm at the Otterbein United Methodist Church.
9am - 1pm at the Clarks Hill Christian Church
April 27th, 8am - 4:30pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
April 28th - May 1st
8am - 4:30pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building
12pm - 6pm at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds.
12pm - 6pm at the Wea Ridge Baptist Church.
12pm - 6pm at the East Side Assembly of God.
12pm - 6pm at the John R. Dennis Wellness Center.
May 2nd
9am - 4pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
9am - 3pm at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds.
9am - 3pm at the Wea Ridge Baptist Church.
9am - 3pm at the East Side Assembly of God.
9am - 3pm at the John R. Dennis Wellness Center.
May 4th
8am - 12pm at the Tippecanoe County Office Building.
I believe informed voters are the best voters, make sure you’re one of them!
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER? Step Four: Find a Polling Place in Carroll County
Hey Carroll County, as we approach the primary election, I want to get you prepared to head to the ballot box informed & with confidence! YOU GOT THIS!
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER?
Step Four: Find a Polling Place
Early Voting Schedule in Carroll County.
April 7th - April 10th, 8am - 5pm at the Carroll County Courthouse (Wednesday till 12pm).
April 13th - April 17th, 8am - 5pm at the Carroll County Courthouse (Wednesday till 12pm).
April 20th - April 24th, 8am - 5pm at the Carroll County Courthouse (Wednesday till 12pm).
April 25th
8am - 3pm at the Carroll County Courthouse.
8am - 12pm at the Burlington Community Center.
8am - 12pm at the Camden Community Building.
April 27th - May 1st, 8am - 5pm at the Carroll County Courthouse (Wednesday till 12pm).
May 2nd
8am - 3pm at the Carroll County Courthouse.
8am - 12pm at the Flora 4H Building.
8am - 12pm at the Yeoman United Methodist Church.
May 4th
8am - 12pm at the Carroll County Courthouse.
I believe informed voters are the best voters, make sure you’re one of them!
Advocating for families should be for ALL families, not just ones that look like yours.
Advocating for families should be for ALL families, not just ones that look like yours.
Having worked with families of all structures as a social worker, I’ve seen how policies play out beyond the page. I’ve seen systems succeed, & I’ve seen them fail the very people they were meant to support.
Supporting families means listening to them, respecting their autonomy, & crafting policy that reflects their real lives; not political talking points.
True family‑centered policy must include:
Reproductive Freedom & Family Planning
Families must have the right to make their own deeply personal decisions about if, when, & how to grow their families without political interference.
That includes:
Access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
Family planning options that reflect individual values & medical needs.
Rejecting policies that restrict reproductive choice and undermine personal autonomy, health, and family stability.
Maternal & Infant Health
Indiana continues to face alarming maternal & infant mortality disparities, particularly for Black & Brown families.
Family advocacy means:
Prioritizing prenatal & postpartum care.
Addressing racial & geographic disparities in outcomes.
Supporting parents before, during, and after childbirth so families can thrive.
LGBTQ+ Families
Any conversation about families that excludes LGBTQ+ parents & children is incomplete.
Family advocacy must affirm:
LGBTQ+ parents raising children.
LGBTQ+ people seeking to adopt or foster.
Families deserving to live openly without fear or discrimination.
Child Welfare & Guardianship
Protecting children must also mean protecting families from unnecessary harm.
This includes:
Strengthening oversight of Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases.
Preventing unnecessary family separations.
Ensuring kinship a& guardianship options are prioritized & properly supported.
Foster Care & Adoption Safety
While timely permanency matters, speed cannot come at the expense of child safety or stability.
Family‑centered reform includes:
Meaningful resources and training for foster parents.
Trauma‑informed placement decisions.
Adoption processes that prioritize safety, consent, and long‑term wellbeing.
Supporting Families at Risk
Many families interact with systems not because of neglect, but because of unmet needs.
Preventing displacement means investing in:
Accessible mental healthcare.
Substance‑use treatment.
Economic support & housing stability.
Community‑based resources that intervene before families reach crisis.
Election Integrity: Indiana does not have a voter fraud problem
Election integrity is a vital part of democracy - but we don’t have a voter fraud problem in Indiana.
The Heritage Foundation (yes, the right-wing institution behind Project 2025) itself has ranked Indiana 7th in the country for election integrity. However, the super majority in Indiana & Republicans in Washington are trying to restrict voting under the guise of election integrity.
This year, Republicans slipped wording into HB 1359 in an attempt to cut our early voting days in half; luckily, that did not pass.
Last year, Governor Braun signed a bill into law that eliminated college students from using their student IDs, which is currently being challenged in court.
& of course the SAVE Act running through Congress right now, being pushed by Trump, is simply just voter suppression on a federal level.
In 2022, there were only 2 cases of voter fraud in Indiana, with nearly 2 million voters that turned out. That is 0.000106%. Both of these cases were not only connected, but they were both convicted, & neither of them had anything to do with college students using IDs or non-citizens trying to vote.
I would like to focus on what I would do regarding elections if I were elected.
Protect our access to mail-in & absentee ballots.
Protect our early voting days.
Push to make Election Day a national holiday.
Require sufficient polling places, especially for rural communities.
Provide accommodations at polling locations to ensure voters with mobility limitations or standing restrictions can wait in line.
Implement automatic voter registration.
Indiana’s Child Care Crisis: Cuts & closures leave working families at risk
Indiana’s Child Care Crisis: Cuts & Closures Leave Working Families at Risk
Over 300 child care providers across Indiana have closed. Most of which were a direct result of cuts to the Child Care Development Fund voucher program. Reimbursement rates have dropped. Vouchers have been frozen until 2027, & it might last longer. This puts children at risk. Lower-income families relied on these vouchers for childcare assistance, the cuts then forced them to leave the workforce.
The costs of infant care in Indiana are already higher than the national average. We cannot cut safety measures & required certifications that would put us at risk of higher infant mortality rates that are also already above the national average.
If elected, I would advocate that we open vouchers again so we can get Hoosier children safe & appropriate childcare, & so their parents can return to work & provide for their families.
Strong Communities: Hoosiers should have communities that are safe, affordable, & built to support families at every stage of life.
Tippecanoe & Carroll counties are very different from each other, but we have so much in common! Both are home to dedicated community members who are focused on improving the quality of life of our residents, building connections, & making conscious decisions about growth & access to resources.
STRONG COMMUNITIES: Hoosiers should have communities that are safe, affordable, & built to support families at every stage of life.
CURRENT CHALLENGES:
From 2014 - 2024, Carroll County’s population has grown 2.3% & Tippecanoe County has grown 6.1% - increasing pressure on housing & services.
Many households spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
65% of seniors in Carroll County & 59% of seniors in Tippecanoe County are cost-burdened.
Growth is positive, but only if families, seniors, & working residents can afford to stay.
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:
Increase funding for services that support the unhoused (homeless) population.
Strengthen tenant protections & enforce health & safety standards.
Expand the supply of affordable housing.
Address corporate bulk purchasing of single-family homes that reduces local ownership opportunities.
Invest in rural communities to ensure long-term sustainability & access to services.
What sets me apart from my opponents? A history of advocacy for my community.
What sets me apart from my opponents? A longstanding history of advocacy for my community.
My message is simple: advocate for my community. Every Hoosier deserves an advocate. Elect me to be yours.
You want a candidate that can not only win a primary, but can go up against a 28 year sitting senator.
The biggest thing that sets me apart from my opponents is my proven history of advocacy in our community. For over 15 years I have worked with individuals & families in Tippecanoe, Carroll, Clinton, White, Newton, & Fountain, which is a diverse makeup of urban, small-town, & rural communities.
In my profession as a social worker, we work within a particular code of ethics & principles, which include service, social justice, dignity & worth of each person, importance of human relationships, integrity, & competence. These are all values I will be bringing with me to the statehouse, & are values I believe are key to what it takes to be a successful, community-focused public servant.
My certifications & memberships informing my advocacy:
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification.
Level 1 Trauma-Informed Certification from the Attachment & Trauma Network.
Member of the School Social Work Association of America, serving on the Advocacy & Legislative Action Committee.
Member of the Indiana School Social Work Association, serving on the Legislative Committee.
Member of the Attachment & Trauma Network.
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER? Step Three: KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES
As we approach the primary election, I want to get you prepared to head to the ballot box informed & with confidence! YOU GOT THIS!
Step Three: Research Your Candidates
Review their values - do they align with yours?
Review their voting history* - is that available? have they disclosed this?
Review their work & experience - do they have the skills?
Review their memberships & affiliations? - who or what do they associate with?
Review past campaign funding reports - how are they funded & by what or whom?
Attend forums - how do they deliver their messaging? Do they or have they communicated or even offered opportunities to meet them?
Contact them - is there a specific issue you want to know their opinion on?
Here’s why it matters:
State senate positions have a direct & lasting impact on your daily life. The decisions they make & policies they create or decide on often affect residents more immediately than federal policies, so knowing where candidates stand helps you as a voter anticipate how laws might change your community.
*New candidates don’t have an official voting record yet, but you can - & should - ask them about their stances. Past, present, & future.
LAST CALL: REGISTER TO VOTE
LAST CALL: Today is your last day to register to vote, check your status, & update your information! All can be done at indianavoters.in.gov.
If you’re 17, you can still vote in this year’s primary election! You must turn 18 on or before the midterm election, which is November 3rd, 2026.
& remember, voting is YOUR right & it is far more than just showing up at the ballot box! Voting is about making an informed choice.
The Indiana primary election is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.
HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS
My campaign is looking for donations of any size to help purchase more door hangers and yard signs!
Here’s how many voters I can reach with your help:
$5 - 71 voters
$25 - 357 voters
$50 - 714 voters
Knocking on doors and displaying yard signs helps to get my name out there so voters can research their options before they cast their ballot. Help me keep voters informed!
Thank you to those who have donated already! A grassroots campaign is successful because of the dedication of supporters like you!
Reminders:
Voter registration ENDS TODAY! (double check yours!)
Early Voting starts TOMORROW!
This Thursday is our forum at the Wea Branch of the Public Library. 6pm.
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER? Step TWO: KNOW YOUR DISTRICT
As we approach the primary election, I want to get you prepared to head to the ballot box informed & with confidence! YOU GOT THIS!
Step Two: Know Your District
State senate races are district-based so make sure you know which one you live in.
District 22 includes the eastern part of Tippecanoe County and all of Carroll County. These counties include the cities & towns of:
Ash Grove
Battle Ground
Bringhurst
Burlington
Burrows
Camden
Clarks Hill
Colburn
Cutler
Dayton
Deer Creek
Delphi
Flora
Lafayette
Pyrmont
Stockwell
AFFORDABILITY: Hoosiers should be able to work a full-time job & afford to pay their bills, raise a family, & plan for the future.
Growing up in generational poverty, being a part of the working class myself, as well as being a social worker for over 15 years - I know firsthand the deep impact poverty has, especially on children & the distress it causes families. Hoosiers deserve better. Better pay & a better quality of life.
AFFORDABILITY: Hoosiers should be able to work a full-time job & afford to pay their bills, raise a family, & plan for the future.
OUR CURRENT CHALLENGES:
Indiana ranks 8th highest in hospital prices.
Indiana ranks 5th highest in medication costs nationwide.
Medicaid reimbursement rates rank among the lowest in the country.
The minimum wage remains $7.25
New childcare voucher applications have been frozen, limiting access for working families.
MY PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:
Support wage growth tied to the cost of living.
Reopen & fully fund childcare assistance programs.
Strengthen oversight of utility rate hikes.
Legalize & regulate medical marijuana responsibly.
Promote competition & transparency in healthcare pricing.
Autism Awareness Month: Acceptance, access, & inclusion
April is Autism Awareness Month & today is World Autism Awareness Day!
Awareness also means acceptance, access, & inclusion.
As an elementary school social worker, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside autistic individuals & their families. Listening to their stories, advocating for their needs, & challenging systems that too often overlook them.
Autism is not something to be “fixed.” It’s a natural part of human diversity. ♾️
That means:
Supporting families with real, affordable services
Ensuring classrooms & workplaces are inclusive
Listening to autistic voices when shaping policies & programs
Building communities where people are supported, not stigmatized
Everyone deserves dignity, understanding, & the opportunity to thrive. This month & every month I’m committed to advocating for systems that meet people where they are & honor who they are.
HOW TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER. Step One: Check Your RegistratioN
As we approach the primary election, I want to get you prepared to head to the ballot box informed & with confidence! YOU GOT THIS!
Step One: Check Your Registration
Here’s why it matters:
Confirm you’re registered.
Make sure your name & address are correct.
Apply for an absentee ballot if you need it.
See what’s on your ballot.
How to check? Visit indianavoters.in.gov.
🗓️If you’re 17, you can still vote in this year’s primary election! You must turn 18 on or before the midterm election, which is November 3rd, 2026.
Voter registration ends Monday, April 6th, 2026. Be sure to check your status before then in case you need to make changes or apply for an absentee ballot.
The Indiana primary election is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.
THE DATA CENTER SURGE IS OUTPACING OVERSIGHT: TIME TO HIT PAUSE
Tippecanoe County & Carroll County haven’t seen new data center proposals recently, BUT the data center boom happening across the country, especially here in Indiana, should keep our communities alert.
Due to Indiana’s tax incentives, large abatements, & the limited state‑level regulations, data center developers are increasingly targeting rural areas.
Across Indiana, communities have raised concerns about heavy water usage, strain on local utilities, rising utility costs, deals lacking transparency with the community.
If elected as your state senator, I would introduce or support a moratorium bill on new data center construction.
A pause would give us time to evaluate environmental & economic impacts, work on requiring transparency in deals, strengthen water protections, & advocate for legislation that ensures ratepayers aren’t subsidizing private development.
HAPPY TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY
Visibility matters - not just in celebration, but in accountability.
As an advocate, in office & out of office, I stand with you & I fight for your fundamental right to exist, & to celebrate Trans joy.
However, as policy makers, advocates, allies, & engaged community members, we need to acknowledge the reality many Trans individuals face.
In healthcare: many Trans individuals are denied care, are misgendered, or unable to access gender-affirming services.
In employment: Trans individuals face higher rates of workplace harassment & wage disparities.
With housing: Trans individuals are more likely to experience eviction or homelessness.
In education: Trans youth often encounter bullying, lack of support from school administration, policies that exclude or erase their identities.
Most alarmingly, Trans Women of Color in particular face disproportionately higher rates of violence.
These are not isolated experiences; these are systemic patterns.
Visibility is about more than being seen. It’s about acknowledging inequity & committing to change through policy, advocacy, & how we show up for one another in our communities.
informed voters are the best voters
It’s the final countdown for voter registration!
Take a few minutes today to check, double-check, or maybe even triple-check your registration status, update your information if needed, or register for the first time! It’s quick, it’s easy, & it matters. Visit indianavoters.in.gov
If you’re 17, you can still vote in this year’s primary election! You must turn 18 on or before the midterm election, which is November 3rd, 2026.
& remember: voting is YOUR right & it is far more than just showing up at the ballot box! Voting is about making an informed choice.
Take time to research every candidate on your ballot. Check their websites, their positions on issues, their work & community engagement, & their voting records. Know who truly represents your values.
Your vote is your power. Make sure you’re ready to use it!
I’M A CANDIDATE, NOT A CONTENT CREATOR
Hi, I’m Marlena Edmondson, a candidate for Indiana Senate District 22!
First off, let’s be real - I’m a candidate, not a content creator.
For the state senate position I’m running for, the core responsibility is governing—writing laws, making budget decisions, & representing constituents. That’s where integrity becomes non-negotiable.
Why integrity matters? Voters need to believe the person will act in their best interest, not for personal gain or influence.
You want a candidate, not a content creator.
All grassroots campaigns are not created equally. This campaign is powered by the people!
Everything you’ve seen from my campaign have been Marlena originals & collaboration with the creative powerhouse that is my sister. No advisers, no outside designers. All me.
As we head into the final sprint of the primary, the goal is to reach as many voters as possible! Please consider donating to my campaign if you are able. In this economy, I will be intentional & transparent with the spending of any financial gift. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/marlenaedmondson
VOTING IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE
This current administration claims “voting is a privilege” not a right, despite what the constitution says.
Actually, it is your RIGHT to vote.
Make sure you’re registered!
The voter registration deadline for Indiana ends Monday, April 6th, 2026. You can register or check your registration status at indianavoters.in.gov.
The Indiana primary election is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.
I believe informed voters are the best voters, make sure you’re one of them!
Every Hoosier deserves an advocate, vote Marlena for Indiana Senate District 22.
GREATER LAFAYETTE: NO KINGS MARCH
This Saturday, I will be at the No Kings March in Lafayette. It starts at 1pm in Tapawingo Park.
Our current administration can be summed up in one word: reckless
Americans feel the impact of our country’s leadership when it makes reckless decisions about our safety, hoards wealth, treats vulnerable populations poorly, engages in wars, undermines election integrity, grants unethical pardons, appoints unqualified officials, and so much more.
If you’re unhappy with the state of everything, come out and see me. Let’s talk about how we can see hope spreading and how I can be your Hoosier advocate.
Marlena believes informed voters are the best voters, make sure you’re one of them!
VETERAN INFORMATION: INDIANA NEEDS TO REINSTATE THE 100% TUITION BENEFIT FOR ALL CHILDREN OF ALL VETERANS
In 2011, Indiana legislators voted to stop giving children of Veterans free tuition to state universities.
Instead, children of disabled Vets only get a portion of their tuition paid for, depending on the severity of their parents' disability.
Veterans and their families take great risks and too often make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. The least we can do is make sure their children get a free college education.
Marlena supports reinstating the 100% tuition benefit to all children of all Veterans.
The Indiana primary election is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.
Marlena believes informed voters are the best voters, make sure you’re one of them!
Every Hoosier deserves an advocate, vote Marlena for Indiana Senate District 22.
THE ENDORSEMENT I CARE ABOUT? YOURS.
Regarding Trump’s recent endorsement of Ron Alting: I can honestly say that I am not surprised or at all heartbroken. Endorsements like this come with strings attached.
This is not an endorsement from Hoosiers, and that is the only endorsement I care about.
As I have been campaigning, Hoosiers have shared that they need someone to represent them, not special interests, not an administration, and not a political party. I’m here as a social worker ready to advocate for Hoosiers and Hoosiers only. As a public servant, that is the only focus I have.
Let’s continue focusing on what’s important: Hoosiers can’t afford everyday living costs anymore, fuel costs continue to increase, and we’re sitting on a budget surplus but cutting vital services to vulnerable Hoosiers. As I continue to connect with members of our community, I hope to earn their endorsement when they vote in the Primary Election.
Voter Registration deadline: April 6th
Early voting starts: April 7th.
The Primary Election: May 5th.
YOUR voices are the most important to be heard.
voter registration deadline april 6
Hey Indiana! Are you registered to vote yet?
The voter registration deadline for Indiana ends Monday, April 6th, 2026. You can register or check your registration status at indianavoters.in.gov.
The Indiana primary election is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.
Marlena believes informed voters are the best voters, make sure you’re one of them!
Every Hoosier deserves an advocate, vote Marlena for Indiana Senate District 22.
THE SAVE ACT IS VOTER SUPPRESSION
Let’s call the SAVE Act what it is: a barrier to the ballot box.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act forces voters to show passports or birth certificates in person just to register or update their info, eliminating online, mail, and drive‑based registration methods.
Millions of eligible Americans could be turned away because they don’t have documents like a passport or updated birth certificate. Those most harmed are groups that historically face documentation and access challenges.
Think about who that impacts:
Women voters whose legal names have changed.
Rural voters without easy access to government offices.
Young voters, especially student voters.
Elderly voters.
Tribal communities (Native voters).
Military service voters.
Disabled voters.
Low-income & working people who can’t take time off or pay extra feeds just to prove what they already are - citizens.
This is simply voter suppression.
We don’t strengthen democracy by adding obstacles. We strengthen it by making sure every eligible voice can be heard.