By Jocelyn Vare, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate, District 31

In 2019, I earned the distinction of being the first Democrat elected by the City of Fishers. My seat on the City Council – alongside a second Democrat within the body of seven Republicans – was the first time non-Republicans served in city government.

I knew that the introduction to bipartisanship would not come easy. Old habits die hard. But I ran for City Council because I was motivated to fix the lack of transparency and lack of accountability that are the undeniable byproducts of a supermajority that has ruled for years without challenge. Our city was not listening to its citizens nor genuinely including their voice in transformative, long-term decisions. I knew that that the only way for the City of Fishers to serve its citizens better and fully accept its responsibility as the 6th largest city in the state was bipartisan representation. Democrats had to get elected in Fishers for government to serve the people better.

It does not matter which party is in control. Unaccountable, one-party rule is bad for citizens. We see the negative consequences in states with Democratic supermajorities just as we see them in our state under a GOP supermajority. My experience in Fishers shows that with diverse representation, a supermajority can be moderated. Status quo can change. Transparency is possible and accountability can be expected instead of dodged. It is not easy, but it can be done.

After 12 years of one-party rule, the GOP supermajority in our statehouse requires immediate correction. The supermajority has defied the will of citizens, especially women, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, the LGBTQ+ community and persons of color. For the first time I can recall, GOP candidates are not touting Indiana’s success stories like they used to because they do not have them. Instead, today’s Indiana GOP candidates refrain from disclosing their Republican ties in ads, refuse in-person candidate forums, and avoid meeting citizens face- to-face. The GOP is hiding from their failures and counting on gerrymandered districts and super PAC money to ensure they win.

The result of their unaccountability has put Hoosiers on a speedy trajectory of failure. Indiana ranks 3rd worst in the country for maternal mortality and 40th for educational attainment.

Indiana has the most miles of polluted waterways in the country. Firearms are the leading cause of death for Indiana’s children and teens. We need an immediate course correction. We need more Democrats to balance out the extreme and ineffective GOP supermajority. Only by taking seats away from the GOP will things change. The so-called “moderate” GOP politicians had their chance to fix things and failed. Under their watch, their party’s supermajority has only gotten more extreme and out-of-touch.

In conversation after conversation with voters in Indiana State Senate District 31, I hear the frustration with not being heard nor represented. I am running because residents deserve a public servant to represent them in the Statehouse. Someone who works hard, listens to voter and puts them first.

My legislative priorities reflect the priorities of people in my district and include:

  • Repealing Indiana’s extreme abortion ban
  • Fighting for sensible gun legislation, including a repeal of “permitless carry”
  • Strengthening public schools by dedicating new funding and addressing the teacher shortage
  • Fiscal responsibility
  • Legalizing marijuana

I offer Hoosiers the representation that they are missing, the transparency they deserve and the balance we all need to move Indiana forward. As Indiana State Senator for District 31, I will fight for government accountability, invite civic participation, and elevate issues that will enhance our community, neighborhoods, and households.

I am running to represent every voice and earn every vote.

As part of a public service during election season, Indy Politics is running articles from various candidates as to why they are running.  If you are a candidate,  feel free to e-mail us at abdul@indypolitics.org.