Last week, Vice President JD Vance traveled once again to Indianapolis to visit Republican State legislators. His primary agenda? Convince our lawmakers to redistrict Indiana outside the census years to secure President Trump the remaining 2 of 9 Congressional Representatives. We have moved so far beyond representative government, it is obscene. Vance was once again met with a large crowd protesting his obvious strong-arming. Interestingly, he had no trouble flying across the country. The same could not be said for others missing flights due to the government shutdown impacting federal workers like air traffic controllers. In the words of George Orwell, “All (animals) are created equal, but some are more equal than others.”
There are rumored maps floating around showing the proposed redistricting. Where my district, House District 60, which includes parts of Monroe, Morgan and Johnson counties, now covers 3 Congressional districts (4, 6 and 9), it would be condensed into only 2 (8 and 9) and include a part of Marion county. In fact, Marion county would be divided between THREE Congressional districts, each one anchored to rural districts in the hope of diluting Democratic voices.
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta: “There’s something happening here because (otherwise) the vice president wouldn’t have to come here — twice now — in order to twist some arms.” [Indiana Capital Chronicle]
Last year, when I created the Indiana Rural Summit to give rural and small-town voters “a voice, a choice and a vote”, we never thought we would be well-positioned for this moment. I don’t see district lines the same way anymore, and neither do the other House candidates I’m working with. In fact, we see these lines as the distraction they are meant to be - a way to divide and silo us so we don’t see our shared issues and shared values. We are building a movement to counteract Trump’s consolidation of federal power every time we work across our gerrymandered districts to break the Republican Supermajority at the Statehouse. The same usurpation of power at the federal level is used at the state level to bypass Local government. We see this first hand in local data center fights and local taxation issues where Braun’s SEA 1 Budget has wrecked havoc on local municipalities in much the same way Trump’s Horrible, Ugly Bill has been devastating to the states.
But how much of this redistricting hype is also a distraction? Distraction not only from the very obvious Epstein Files (kudos to the Indiana House Democrats for their “Is this the map the White House is looking for?” image below) but also a distraction from the deep cuts to Medicaid, Childcare, and SNAP benefits our families depend on, while billionaires continue to rake in more and more money from PERMANENT tax cuts.
We cannot afford to get distracted. In the midst of redistricting plans and federal goverment shutdown, more and more Hoosiers are being impacted by furloughs and missed wages. Snap benefits and Medicaid is already being denied to families. November 1st begins the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act. Like many other Hoosier families, my family relies on the Affordable Care Act for our health insurance. If premiums increase, we will be priced out of healthcare. But the worst impacted are those on Medicaid who make only a few dollars too much. They not only lose access to Medicaid, but they most likely cannot afford even the lowest available premium on the ACA. The same is happening with childcare vouchers. Providers are having to make costly and painful cuts and families are left with impossible decisions. Once again, the “cliff affect” (the moment where one earns too much for social safety net programs but not enough to afford market rate) claims another family. Those who voted for these horrible budget bills offer no real solutions.
What frustrates me and fellow Hoosiers is the blatant lying taking place on Capital Hill and at the Statehouse. Whether its Redistricting or Shutting Down the Government or Defunding Medicaid, the ACA or Childcare, all of these are not because of “Blue States” or to “save the country from the radical left”. It is because greed has overtaken those entrusted to govern us. They know what they are doing is wrong. They know they are no longer accountable to the people in any real and meaningful way. They have sold us out to profiteers. They have bartered our future for pennies on the dollar.
So what do we do about it? First, we organize. All of us live in a precinct (the smallest unit of government). Connect with your local Democratic party and find out who your precinct chair is. Get involved at this most local level and Talk To Your Neighbors. (Need help? Download this Community Conversation Guide.) The more people connect within precincts, the easier it will be for candidates like me to find values-aligned voters.
Second, we connect with one another across shared issues. Childcare, Medicaid, a proposed Data Center, a local tax issue? Whatever it is, if others are concerned, find out more about the issue and get involved. All of these issues started out as policy decisions. Attend local meetings, share on your social media platforms. And invite me to join you! Hyper-local organizing is the very best way to build trust and bring others with us.
Third, support my campaign. Host a House Party (the BEST way to grow our campaign), Volunteer, become a Donor (or become a Sustaining Donor), introduce me to your friends, family, and neighbors (especially those who may never have voted for a Democrat before but are angry or confused by what is happening right now with Trump’s administration). We are a state campaign and focus on how state policies directly impact Hoosiers. You would be surprised how many people can be persuaded to have this conversation, where a national politics discussion divides. Let’s stay state-focused!
[Image above: A successful fundraiser for candidates Amy Oliver (HD 62) and Michelle Higgs (HD 60) was held at Butler Winery in Monroe County. They both share constituents along a shared district border between House Districts 60 and 62 in rural Monroe County.]
Lastly, support other organizations and calls to action. This October 18th will be another No Kings Day. There are events happening all around the state. If you can join one or more, let your voice be heard. The national organizers recommend wearing Yellow in solidarity. I suggest adding a sunflower to that outfit somewhere. (See Organizing Indiana’s Seasons of Solidarity for more information.) Concerned about Medicaid cuts? Follow Hoosier Action. Angered by data centers taking our water and increasing our utility bills? Follow Citizens Action Coalition. Want to make an impact next November? Start now by getting involved with your local Democratic party. Every little bit helps. We are not alone!
UPDATE: No Kings Day 2.0 was a HUGE success. More Hoosiers showed up in solidarity than ever before. And more rural and small-town communities were represented across the state, including Morgan County!! Check out this image from Indiana Nasty Women highlighting all the locations standing together! We have a lot more counties to reach. My campaign is one of many that is investing in rural. If you want to make a bigger impact in outreach, check out the work the Indiana Rural Summit and Organizing Indiana are doing and get involved.
