In early 2024, I made the decision to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District as a Democrat. Though my candidacy came together quickly, it was driven by a deep sense of civic responsibility and a desire to ensure that voters in our district had a meaningful choice at the ballot box.

The way it happened still feels surreal—a moment of coincidence that turned into a campaign.

It all started on a quiet Thursday morning. I had just texted my daughter to say good morning and was scrolling through Facebook when a post from MadVoters caught my eye. It showed Indiana’s congressional districts and listed candidate filings. I was stunned to see that no Democrat had filed to run in District 2. In the comments, almost half-jokingly, I wrote something like, “I can do it, I’m a Democrat.” Someone replied, “Really?” and I responded, “Sure. I’m as normal as you can get—and at least this gives people a choice.”

That single comment sparked something far bigger. MadVoters reached out to the Indiana Democratic Party, who put me in contact with Brian Smith. Within hours, I had filled out the necessary paperwork. That same evening, I met Brian in Nappanee to talk about why I felt compelled to run—not just because the seat was uncontested, but because I was deeply frustrated with the lack of representation for working people in our district. The very next morning, Brian drove my paperwork to Indianapolis himself. I was the only Democrat to file. And just like that—I became a candidate for Congress.

What followed was an entirely grassroots campaign. I had no political connections, no big-name endorsements, and no deep pockets. What I did have was a commitment to making government more accountable and responsive to everyday people—not just the wealthy and well-connected. Despite running in a district heavily gerrymandered to favor the incumbent, we built momentum, fueled by authentic conversations and shared values.

And while we didn’t win, we exceeded expectations—outperforming forecasts by six points. That result speaks volumes about the hunger for change and the power of everyday people coming together to demand better.

Looking ahead, I’ve made the decision not to run again in 2026. My daughter will be entering her senior year of college as a Division I athlete, and I want to be fully present to support her during this important chapter of her life. Family is, and always will be, my top priority.

That said, the work isn’t over. I remain committed to supporting a strong Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 2nd District in the next election—someone who shares the values I hold dear: equity, opportunity, dignity, and a government that works for everyone. I hope the next candidate will be someone who emerges from this same grassroots energy—a regular person willing to stand up and serve their neighbors with integrity.

To every supporter, volunteer, voter, and friend who stood with me—thank you. Your encouragement, time, and trust meant more than I can express. This campaign was never just about me. It was about the belief that everyday people can and should have a voice in our democracy.

The work continues—and I’m excited to keep showing up for our community in whatever ways I can.

In that spirit, I’m proud to share that I will be running for St. Joseph County Council, District E. When Councilwoman Diana Hess learned I was not planning to run for Congress again, she told me she was ready to retire and asked if I would consider running to fill her seat. After much thought, I said yes. This seat is critical to hold if we’re going to reverse the damage done by the MAGA faction currently on the County Council. I’m honored by Diana’s trust and ready to do the hard work needed to restore common sense, fiscal responsibility, and real representation to our local government.