Throughout my time as your state senator, I have always worked to make sure the voices of Senate District 8 are heard at the Statehouse. That's why I voted in recent years to support new laws that benefit all Hoosiers.

Ensuring a safe and secure Indiana

In 2023, Senate Republicans began pursuing an amendment to Indiana's constitution that would allow Indiana judges to deny bail for extremely dangerous arrestees. Current Indiana law only allows a judge to deny bail if the suspect is charged with murder or treason.

It's become too common to hear about dangerous repeat criminals who were arrested but let out of jail on little or no bail, only to hurt more innocent people. Understandably, many people are fed up with “catch and release” policies that fail to keep dangerous criminals behind bars. SJR 1 would make it clear to Indiana judges that there are circumstances when it is acceptable to hold a suspect in jail because releasing them poses too substantial of a risk to the public.

For an amendment to be added to the Indiana Constitution, the language must be passed by two separately elected General Assemblies, and voters must ratify the amendment in a statewide referendum. Since SJR 1 passed with my vote for the first time in 2023 and passed again with my vote in the 2026 Indiana General Assembly, Hoosiers will have the opportunity to vote on the amendment on the 2026 general election ballot in November.

Another bill I supported that passed in 2026 will make sure arrestees have legal protections that guarantee their constitutional rights will be respected when judges set their bail.

Preserving safety nets for Hoosiers who need them most

This year, I supported a measure to ensure illegal immigrants can't get taxpayer-funded welfare, which was a top priority for Senate Republicans during the 2026 legislative session. Senate Enrolled Act 1 is designed to root out waste, fraud and abuse in Indiana's welfare programs by increasing eligibility checks for SNAP, preventing illegal immigrants from claiming benefits and updating Indiana's laws to comply with new federal Medicaid reforms, including work requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults. This is Indiana's latest effort to catch bad actors and preserve programs like SNAP and Medicaid for Hoosiers who need them most.

Protecting farmland, water

To preserve Hoosier farmland, I voted in support of a law passed in 2024 that prohibits the purchase of land within 10 miles of a military base or the purchase of any farmland by citizens and companies of foreign nations officially recognized as America's adversaries, some of which include Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. In 2026, I voted to expand this law to prohibit these businesses from purchasing any land in Indiana.

Indiana is fortunate to have abundant natural resources – like water – that play a vital role in our state's success. To protect those resources, I co-authored a law that ensures our state's water supply is managed properly and restricts the ability of big corporations to use too much of a community's water.

Providing Hoosiers a great education

I have and will continue to be an avid supporter of measures to help Hoosiers succeed in school. To ensure that young Hoosiers receive the best education possible so they can be prepared for successful futures, I supported a law that increased education funding by $2.4 billion in the past four years.

I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments you may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form online or by phone at 800-382-9467.