As a young professional, I understand the importance of members of my generation getting more involved and active in the political process.
It is critical for our generation to stand up and fight for ourselves. I decided to take on that task by throwing my hat into the arena as a candidate for Indianapolis City-County Council in District 16. (IndyHub note: Be sure to check out the full ballot!)
District 16 is on the near south side of Indianapolis and encompasses neighborhoods like Fountain Square, Fletcher Place, and Garfield Park. Many young democrats live, work, and play in my district. District 16 is a critical seat as the Marion County Democratic Party seeks to maintain its slim democratic majority on the council, and I have been working tirelessly to win the seat back.
As a life-long resident of Indiana, I chose Indianapolis as my home after attending Butler University. After earning my business degree, I attended Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Not long after graduation and taking the bar exam, I found my neighborhood of Fountain Square.
As a deputy prosecutor and public servant for a decade, I hope to bring a fresh, common-sense perspective to the council in a district full of progress and potential. I plan to use my experience in the criminal justice system to address issues surrounding public safety and begin constructive conversations with community members about tackling these issues city-wide.
Aside from my day job, I have been an advocate and active volunteer at Coburn Place Safe Haven, giving victims of domestic violence a safe place to get back on their feet. I hope to maintain and grow the city resources these victims need if elected.
If elected, my three main priorities will be:
- Public safety. We need a more holistic approach to public safety that invests more money into putting police on all our streets. We must also increase funding for reentry and rehabilitation programs.
- Making sure no neighborhood gets left behind. Indianapolis has done a great job redeveloping certain neighborhoods, but often at the expense of others, it is important that Indianapolis development be an “and” not an “or.”
- As a young professional who elected to stay in Indianapolis after my education, we must stop the brain drain and keep young professionals here in Indy. Further, we must get and keep them engaged in public service and volunteerism.
Since I began my campaign in January, I have talked to over 5,000 voters in my district about ways the city can help make all of our neighborhoods safer and premier places to live and work. I continue to walk my district each week and am energized and encouraged by the conversations I have with my neighbors about what the next four years holds.
The city-county council is currently entering contracts on behalf of our entire community that have 50 to 80 year terms. It is critical that the young professional voice is heard in making these decisions, not only to bring a new perspective, but also to understand the terms as we continue to grow with the contracts throughout the decades to come.
