Service Before Politics

He flew Harriers off ships, commanded an air-to-ground range, built a business, raised four kids, and still insists the most important leadership move is simple: tell the truth when you mess up. Tim Surber sits down with Craig Haggard, Indiana state representative and candidate for Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, for a grounded conversation about service, character, and what representation should look like for Morgan County and the wider district.Craig walks through his path from Waverly and Mooresville to the Marine Corps and naval aviation, then back home to continue serving with the Air National Guard flying F-16s. Along the way, he shares a story from the runway that became a defining lesson in accountability and trust, plus why those habits matter in government just as much as they matter in the cockpit. We also talk about the sacrifices campaigns demand from spouses and families, and why Craig refuses to run a negative campaign even when politics gets ugly.From visiting small town councils across rural Indiana to arguing that “flyover country” deserves more attention, Craig lays out what he thinks is worth fighting for. He also names the issue he would “plant his flag” on in Washington: federal spending and the national debt, along with a push for smaller, more disciplined government and a return to bipartisan governing when possible. If you care about Indiana politics, conservative leadership, rural communities, and practical constituent service, this one is for you.Subscribe, share this conversation with a neighbor, and leave a review so more people in Morgan County and beyond can find the show. What do you want your next member of Congress to prioritize first?