Hold 'em Accountable

Magdalaine Davis, Republican candidate for Indiana House District 26, joins Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation that does not sound like the usual Indiana political template.District 26 is centered around West Lafayette and Purdue University, while also including surrounding neighborhoods and rural parts of Tippecanoe County. It is a district shaped by students, longtime residents, small businesses, farmers, public schools, research, innovation, affordability, and the future of Indiana’s workforce.Magdalaine talks about growing up in a military family, becoming a Purdue student, and why her experience as a survivor of sexual violence pushed her toward public service. She says Indiana needs leaders willing to deal with uncomfortable issues instead of brushing them aside.In this interview, we discuss:• Indiana House District 26• Magdalaine Davis’ Republican campaign• West Lafayette, Purdue, and rural Tippecanoe County• Affordability and Indiana’s minimum wage• Cost of living differences across Indiana communities• Public schools, school funding, and trade schools• Mental health care for students, veterans, and families• Bullying, cyberbullying, and teen suicide• Supporting survivors of sexual violence• Public safety, prosecutors, and prevention resources• Accessible, honest, and present leadership• Working across party lines• Why lawmakers need to think 10, 15, and 20 years aheadMagdalaine says Indiana has to stop governing only for the moment. Every bill should be judged by how it affects affordability, education, public services, police, fire departments, mental health, and the future families are trying to build.Whether voters agree with her or not, she brings a different kind of Republican voice to this race, one focused on survivor advocacy, public schools, mental health, local concerns, and being willing to admit when she is wrong.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#MagdalaineDavis #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD26 #Purdue #HoldEmAccountable

Lauri Shillings, Libertarian candidate for Indiana Secretary of State, joins Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about one of the most overlooked offices in Indiana politics.The Secretary of State may not get the same attention as governor, Congress, or the Statehouse, but this office touches every Hoosier. Elections, ballot access, business filings, campaign finance records, public records, voter information, and public trust all run through this office.Lauri argues that Indiana needs a Secretary of State focused on service, transparency, modernization, privacy, and nonpartisan administration. She says the office should work for voters, small business owners, county clerks, candidates, and every Hoosier trying to understand how government operates.In this interview, we talk about:• Indiana Secretary of State race• Lauri Shillings’ Libertarian campaign• Election transparency and public trust• Protecting voter privacy• Modernizing Indiana’s Secretary of State website• Making business filings faster and easier• Campaign finance disclosure and dark money• Helping voters know who is on their ballot• Election audits and public confidence• Supporting all 92 county clerks• Third-party candidates and ballot access• Why Libertarians need 2% to stay on Indiana ballots• Why more choices create more accountabilityLauri says voters deserve more than broken links, confusing forms, hard-to-search records, and a two-party system that too often limits real competition.Her message is simple: the office nobody notices until it breaks is exactly the office voters should pay attention to before it does.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#LauriShillings #IndianaPolitics #IndianaSecretaryOfState #ElectionIntegrity #HoldEmAccountable

Brad Meyer, Democratic nominee for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about Southern Indiana, economic anxiety, healthcare, Social Security, rural hospitals, medical debt, disability policy, food insecurity, and the fight between exploitation and opportunity.District 9 stretches across one of Indiana’s largest and most diverse congressional districts, including Bloomington, Madison, Jeffersonville, Salem, Corydon, Bedford, Nashville, and dozens of rural communities in between.Brad says voters are no longer worried about just one issue. They are worried about everything. Young people are struggling to get started, mid-career workers are still living paycheck to paycheck, and retirees are anxious about the future of Social Security.In this interview, Brad argues that capitalism can be productive, but without guardrails, it becomes coercive. He compares the current system to a chainsaw: useful when handled responsibly, dangerous when used recklessly.We discuss:• Indiana’s 9th Congressional District• Brad Meyer’s campaign for Congress• Southern Indiana’s economic struggles• Capitalism, guardrails, exploitation, and opportunity• Healthcare access and Medicare for All• Rural hospitals and maternity care closures• Medical debt and health insurance insecurity• Social Security and retirement security• Food insecurity in Southern Indiana• Disability policy and families navigating broken systems• Rural population loss and economic development• Congressional access, town halls, and local offices• Budget priorities, childcare, military spending, and tradeBrad says the numbers have come alive for him on the campaign trail. Food insecurity, medical debt, disability care, rural hospital cuts, and Social Security are not just statistics. They are people’s lives with the names removed.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#BradMeyer #IndianaPolitics #IndianaCD9 #HealthcareForAll #HoldEmAccountable

Sharon Wight, Democratic nominee for Indiana House District 81, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about empathy, accountability, healthcare, public education, infrastructure, data centers, and what it means to actually listen before making decisions at the Statehouse.District 81 includes parts of Northwest Fort Wayne, Huntertown, Arcola, and surrounding Allen County communities. It is a district facing real questions about growth, roads, water utilities, rising costs, school funding, healthcare access, land use, and whether families outside Indianapolis are being heard.Sharon’s campaign is built around “leading with empathy,” but this is not soft politics. She argues that every state policy affects real people, and lawmakers should understand those consequences before they vote.We discuss:• Indiana House District 81• Sharon Wight’s campaign against Martin Carbaugh• Leading with empathy in state policy• Huntertown water issues and utility costs• Roads and infrastructure in Allen County• Healthcare access and outsourced services• Public education, school vouchers, and rural schools• Affordability and the hidden cost of time• Data centers and land use in Northwest Allen County• Disability rights, LGBTQ Hoosiers, immigrant communities, and representation• Why public service should mean listening first• How local communities can rise up togetherSharon says empathy means understanding who gets hurt by policy, who gets helped, and whether lawmakers can explain the real consequences of their votes.Her message is simple: District 81 deserves someone who listens before speaking, shows up after the campaign signs come down, and fights for people who do not normally get fought for.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#SharonWight #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD81 #FortWayne #HoldEmAccountable

Floyd Taylor, independent candidate for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District, returns to Hold ’em Accountable with one of the most unconventional campaign ideas in Indiana politics: what if voters directly controlled how their member of Congress voted?Floyd is not running as a Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian. His campaign is built around direct representation, radical transparency, rejecting PAC money, and using technology to give residents of Indiana’s 9th District a stronger voice in Washington.At the center of his campaign is the Congress app, a proposal that would allow voters to review legislation, weigh in on bills, submit problems, request new proposals, and help direct how he votes in Congress.We discuss:• Floyd Taylor’s independent campaign• Indiana’s 9th Congressional District• The Congress app and direct representation• Whether voters should control congressional votes• Radical transparency in Congress• Rejecting PAC money and major donors• The two-party system and “wasted vote” arguments• Rural voters feeling ignored by Washington• Healthcare access for every American• NSWC Crane and local economic development• Lobbyists, accountability, and public records• What representation should mean in 2026Floyd says his platform is simple: “You tell me what to do.” He argues that he is only one person in a district of hundreds of thousands, and that voters deserve more than a representative who disappears into Washington and asks for trust every two years.Whether you agree with Floyd Taylor or think the idea sounds impossible, his campaign raises a question worth asking:Should voters have more direct power over the decisions made in their name?No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#FloydTaylor #IndianaPolitics #IndianaCD9 #IndependentCandidate #HoldEmAccountable

Kirsten Root, Democratic nominee for Indiana State Senate District 21, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about change, public service, healthcare, affordability, working families, public safety, and why Indiana needs people in the Statehouse who understand broken systems from the inside.For the first time since 2008, District 21 will have a new state senator. Longtime incumbent Jim Buck is out, and the race is now between Kirsten Root and Tracy Powell. That means voters are not deciding whether change is coming. They are deciding what kind of change they want.Kirsten brings a background in social work, DCS, healthcare navigation, and community resources. In this interview, she talks about why government should listen before it cuts, invest before crisis hits, and spend public dollars on public needs instead of corporate subsidies.We discuss:• Indiana Senate District 21• Kirsten Root’s campaign for State Senate• Tracy Powell and the future of District 21• Healthcare access and a public insurance option• Affordability, utility bills, and rental costs• Working families across Westfield, Kokomo, Tipton County, and rural communities• Social workers in public safety and crisis response• A Department of Community Safety• Private prisons and accountability• Raising Indiana’s minimum wage• Corporate subsidies and public dollars• Why local officials feel ignored by the Statehouse• Why showing up matters more than political theaterKirsten says District 21 has not been prioritized by the Statehouse, and she is making the case that voters should send someone with real experience helping people navigate broken systems into the room where those systems are built.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#KirstenRoot #IndianaPolitics #IndianaSD21 #HealthcareAccess #HoldEmAccountable

Candy Greer, Democratic nominee for Indiana House District 64, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about what voters in southwestern Indiana are actually feeling: rising electric bills, healthcare desperation, public school funding, data centers, tax abatements, legal cannabis, public transportation, and the feeling that rural communities are being forgotten.Candy is not running like a polished political product. She is running like someone who still lives the struggle.In this interview, Candy talks about working three jobs, raising kids in the district, living with the same utility bills her neighbors face, and watching public money flow toward corporations while regular people are told to tighten up.Her line says it all:“The straps are gone.”We discuss:• Indiana House District 64• Candy Greer’s campaign against Matt Hostettler• Data centers and corporate tax abatements• Public schools, vouchers, and vulnerable students• Healthcare access in rural Indiana• Emergency care and medical debt• Public transportation in small-town and rural communities• Legalizing marijuana in Indiana• Utility bills and electricity sales tax relief• Why rural voters feel forgotten• Why representation should come from people who actually live the struggleCandy says District 64 deserves someone who is working beside them, living beside them, sending kids to the same schools, paying the same bills, and fighting for the same communities.This is not about political theater.It is about people over power.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#CandyGreer #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD64 #RuralIndiana #HoldEmAccountable

Gabrianna Gratzol, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 11, joins Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about working families, public education, healthcare, childcare, labor rights, manufacturing, Medicaid, and why Indiana needs more regular people in the room where decisions are made.District 11 includes parts of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, including Elkhart, Mishawaka, Granger, Bristol, and surrounding communities. It is a district shaped by manufacturing, skilled trades, organized labor, small businesses, healthcare, and families trying to keep up with rising costs.In this interview, Gabrianna shares her personal story: growing up in a sheltered religious environment, entering the workforce, working in behavioral health, moving into factory work, becoming a young parent, and seeing firsthand how state policy affects real Hoosiers.She also talks about being fired after disclosing a high-risk pregnancy, losing insurance, applying for Medicaid, and being denied because her household income was less than $100 over the limit. That experience, she says, showed her how quickly everything can go wrong even when people do everything “right by the book.”We discuss:• Working families in Indiana• Healthcare costs and Medicaid access• Childcare vouchers and universal pre-K• Public school funding and private school vouchers• Labor rights and manufacturing jobs• Data centers and long-term sustainability• Utility costs and corporate accountability• Homeschooling, accountability, and public education• Why working people need representation at the StatehouseGabrianna says the Indiana State Senate is filled with people who employ other people, not enough people who know what it means to be an employee. Her campaign is built around the idea that the people most impacted by state policy deserve a voice in writing it.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#GabriannaGratzol #IndianaPolitics #IndianaSD11 #WorkingFamilies #HoldEmAccountable

Travis Gearhart, Libertarian candidate for Indiana House District 4, joins Hold ’em Accountable for a wide-ranging conversation about NIPSCO bills, utility accountability, cannabis legalization, right-to-work, labor rights, taxes, toll roads, civil liberties, and why he believes Northwest Indiana voters deserve more than the same two-party machinery.District 4 covers much of northwestern Indiana, including communities across Porter County. In this race, voters have three choices: Republican incumbent Ed Soliday, Democratic nominee Ryan Kominakis, and Libertarian challenger Travis Gearhart.In this interview, Travis explains why rising NIPSCO bills became one of the biggest issues driving his campaign and why he added a full audit of NiSource to his platform. He also discusses his political journey from former Republican to Libertarian, why he supports legal cannabis, why he wants to revisit Indiana’s right-to-work law, why he opposes new toll roads, and why he believes candidates should explain their reasoning instead of hiding behind 30-second sound bites.We also talk about where Libertarians and progressives may overlap, including civil liberties, privacy, corporate subsidies, government accountability, foreign policy skepticism, and workers’ rights.This is not a campaign commercial. It is a conversation.Travis and Derrick do not agree on everything, but that is the point. Voters deserve to hear candidates think out loud, defend their positions, explain where they have changed, and answer questions outside their own political bubble.Topics include:• Indiana House District 4• Travis Gearhart’s Libertarian campaign• NIPSCO bills and utility accountability• A full audit of NiSource• Ed Soliday and the HD4 race• Cannabis legalization in Indiana• Right-to-work and collective bargaining• No new toll roads• Income tax and property tax reform• Corporate subsidies and government spending• Civil liberties and privacy• Why third-party candidates matterNo spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#TravisGearhart #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD4 #NIPSCO #HoldEmAccountable

Indiana’s Department of Child Services is one of the hardest systems to talk about honestly.Some people see DCS as the agency that removes children. Others see it as the last line of defense for kids who are not safe at home. The truth is more complicated.In this special episode of Hold ’em Accountable, Derrick Holder sits down with Kristie Holder, Kacey Blundell, and Kirsten Root for a raw conversation about Indiana DCS, foster care, child welfare, family case managers, and what needs to change.Derrick, Kacey, and Kirsten all worked for DCS. Derrick and Kristie are also former foster parents. That means this conversation comes from multiple sides of the system: legal, case management, assessment, permanency, foster care, and lived experience inside the process.This episode looks at the uncomfortable reality behind Indiana’s child welfare system:DCS is necessary.Children do need protection.Caseworkers do save lives.But the system is also overburdened, under-resourced, inconsistent, and too often reactionary instead of preventative.We talk about:• Why DCS responds after families are already in crisis• Foster parents not being listened to• Overworked family case managers• Child welfare worker burnout• Poverty, addiction, mental health, and family instability• Why prevention matters• Inconsistent policies between counties, judges, and supervisors• The challenges of emergency placements• Why families need support before removal• How Indiana can better protect children and support familiesThis is not an anti-DCS conversation. It is not an attack on caseworkers. It is not pretending every removal is wrong or every family is safe.It is a serious conversation about a system that Indiana still needs, but cannot keep running on exhausted workers, unsupported foster parents, under-resourced families, and crisis responses that arrive too late.If we care about children, we have to care about the systems surrounding them.No spin. No talking points. Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#IndianaDCS #FosterCare #ChildWelfare #IndianaPolitics #HoldEmAccountable

Most healthcare debates focus on insurance.Premiums. Deductibles. Copays. Coverage.But what happens when there isn't a doctor available to see you? What happens when the nearest emergency room is an hour away? What happens when the maternity ward closes, the mental health provider retires, or the local hospital shuts its doors?In this episode of Hold 'em Accountable, Derrick Holder examines the growing crisis of healthcare deserts across America and why access to care may be just as important as the ability to pay for it.Healthcare doesn't usually disappear all at once. It disappears one doctor, one department, one clinic, and one hospital at a time. The result is a growing number of communities where people have insurance but struggle to find actual care.In this episode:• Why hospitals are closing across America• Rural and urban healthcare deserts• Physician and nursing shortages• Maternity care deserts and OB shortages• Mental health provider shortages• Hospital consolidation and corporate healthcare• Why healthcare access is infrastructure• How distance affects patient outcomes• Emergency care, specialist shortages, and wait times• Why your zip code increasingly affects your healthHealthcare is not just a policy issue.It's an access issue.Because insurance doesn't deliver babies.Insurance doesn't perform surgery.Insurance doesn't respond to emergencies.People do.And when those people and facilities disappear, entire communities become more vulnerable.Watch now and join the conversation.Do you think healthcare should be treated as critical infrastructure?Hosted by Derrick Holder, retired Marine, Managing Editor of Progressive Indiana Network, and host of Hold 'em Accountable.No spin.No talking points.Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold 'em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#HealthcareDeserts #HealthcareAccess #RuralHealthcare #HospitalClosures #MentalHealth #HealthcareCrisis #PublicHealth #HealthcarePolicy #IndianaPolitics #HoldEmAccountable

Being poor is difficult.But in America, it is often expensive too.In this episode of Hold 'em Accountable, we break down the poverty premium: the hidden surcharge attached to financial instability.The basic idea is simple.People with more money often get better terms, lower interest rates, better financing, stronger rewards, lower fees, and more flexibility.People with less money often pay more.More in interest.More in fees.More in deposits.More in penalties.More for emergencies.More for the same products and services.That is the poverty premium.And once you start seeing it, you see it everywhere.A person with savings can handle a flat tire. A person without savings may need a credit card, payday loan, or delayed repair that creates more problems later.A person with cash can buy in bulk and lower their cost per item. A person living paycheck to paycheck often has to buy smaller quantities and pay more over time.A person with strong credit gets lower interest rates. A person with damaged credit may face higher borrowing costs, larger deposits, fewer options, and more barriers.This episode explores how America quietly charges people extra for having less and why financial instability often becomes a cycle that's harder to escape than most people realize.We discuss:• What the poverty premium is• Why being broke is expensive• Payday loans and high-interest emergency borrowing• Overdraft fees and banking penalties• Rent-to-own contracts and hidden costs• Credit scores and higher borrowing costs• Housing barriers and larger deposits• Food deserts and limited grocery access• Transportation costs and unreliable vehicles• Why poverty is about access, not just income• The difference between personal responsibility and systemic barriers• Why hard work matters, but margin matters too• How financial vulnerability becomes profitable• What reforms could help people recover instead of trapping themThis conversation is not about eliminating personal responsibility.Choices matter.Work ethic matters.Discipline matters.But systems matter too.And if someone gets knocked down financially, the system should not respond by attaching more weights to their ankles.The goal is not to make poverty comfortable.The goal is not to guarantee outcomes.The goal is not to remove responsibility.The goal is simple:Stop making poverty more expensive.Because if hard work is supposed to help people get ahead, America should stop charging people extra for trying to climb the ladder.Watch now and join the conversation.Do you think America gives struggling people a fair shot to recover, or does the system make recovery harder than failure?Hosted by Derrick Holder, retired Marine, Managing Editor of Progressive Indiana Network, and host of Hold 'em Accountable.No spin.No talking points.Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold 'em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#PovertyPremium #CostOfLiving #EconomicInequality #WorkingClass #HoldEmAccountable 0qp1RkqPbWCeZwiiuswT

Every June, America has the same conversation.Why do we still have Pride Month?Haven't we already achieved equality?Why is it still necessary?In this special mini-sode of Hold 'em Accountable, Derrick Holder steps away from politics, utility monopolies, healthcare systems, and economic policy to explore a different question:Why does Pride Month still matter in 2026?The answer isn't about politics.It's about history.For many younger Americans, it's easy to assume the rights and freedoms enjoyed today have always existed. But there are millions of people still living who remember when being openly LGBTQIA+ could cost someone a job, housing, family relationships, social standing, or personal safety.That history isn't ancient.It's living memory.This episode examines the origins of Pride, the meaning behind the word itself, and why remembering the struggles that came before us matters regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum.Pride was never simply about celebration.For many people, it was about rejecting shame.It was about the belief that no one should have to apologize for existing.In this mini-sode, we discuss:• Why Pride Month began• The history many Americans never learned• The difference between pride and arrogance• Why dignity and visibility matter• The importance of remembering civil rights struggles• How democracy requires recognizing each other's humanity• Why disagreement and respect can coexist• The role of LGBTQIA+ Americans in modern society• Why history matters regardless of political affiliation• A personal reflection from Derrick on being intersexThis episode isn't a loyalty test.You don't have to agree with every activist, organization, or political position to recognize a simple truth:Every American deserves to live free from discrimination, violence, harassment, and fear.That shouldn't be controversial.That should be the floor.At its core, this conversation is about something bigger than politics.It's about dignity.It's about remembering that the people affected by these debates are often our neighbors, coworkers, friends, family members, veterans, teachers, healthcare workers, and fellow citizens.And it's about understanding that progress rarely happens because society magically changes. Progress happens because ordinary people decide that exclusion and fear are not acceptable ways to treat one another.Whether you're celebrating Pride Month, questioning it, or simply trying to understand it better, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation about history, visibility, citizenship, and the importance of recognizing each other's humanity.Watch now and join the conversation.What do you think Pride Month represents in 2026?Hosted by Derrick Holder, retired Marine, Managing Editor of Progressive Indiana Network, and host of Hold 'em Accountable.No spin.No talking points.Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold 'em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #Equality #CivilRights #HoldEmAccountable

For generations, Americans were promised a simple bargain:Work hard. Get an education. Stay out of trouble. Show up every day.In return, you could build a stable life.Not a mansion.Not a yacht.Just stability.A home. Reliable transportation. Food on the table. A retirement you could count on. The confidence that one unexpected expense wouldn't destroy everything you've worked for.So what happened?In this episode of Hold 'em Accountable, we examine one of the defining economic questions of modern America:Why are so many people working harder than ever while feeling less secure than previous generations?This isn't a story about laziness.It isn't a story about people refusing to work.Americans are working.Many are working multiple jobs, driving rideshare services after hours, delivering food on weekends, and picking up overtime whenever possible.Yet millions still find themselves living paycheck to paycheck.The real story is something deeper.Over the last several decades, economic risk has quietly shifted from large institutions onto individual workers and families.Pensions became 401(k)s.Healthcare costs rose.Housing costs surged.College tuition exploded.Childcare became increasingly unaffordable.Meanwhile, wages often failed to keep pace with the rising cost of simply existing.The economy continued growing.Productivity continued rising.Corporate profits expanded.Yet many Americans increasingly felt disconnected from that growth.In this deep dive, we explore:✔️ Why a job once provided greater economic security✔️ The decline of pensions and rise of individual financial risk✔️ Why housing, healthcare, and childcare costs matter together✔️ The growing gap between productivity and worker compensation✔️ Why economic insecurity fuels political anger✔️ How financial fragility affects families across the country✔️ The difference between poverty and instability✔️ What it means when work no longer guarantees stability✔️ Why millions of Americans feel the system isn't working for themThis episode isn't about nostalgia.It's about understanding how the relationship between work and stability changed and why that change is shaping American politics, public policy, and everyday life.Because the most important economic story in America isn't that people stopped working.It's that people kept working while the connection between work and security became harder to find.And when enough people stop believing that effort leads to stability, trust in institutions begins to erode.That affects everything.Housing.Healthcare.Politics.Retirement.The future itself.🎥 Watch now and decide for yourself:Has the American Dream become harder to reach, or has the math simply stopped working?🎙️ About Hold 'em AccountableHosted by retired Marine Derrick Holder, Hold 'em Accountable takes a deep dive into politics, economics, public policy, and the issues affecting everyday Americans.No spin.No talking points.Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold 'em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#AmericanDream #CostOfLiving #MiddleClass #EconomicInequality #HoldEmAccountable

You can vote for President.You can vote for Governor.You can vote for Congress.You can even vote for the person deciding whether your county installs another stop sign nobody asked for.But the company deciding whether your electric bill jumps another $40 this summer?That decision was largely made long before you moved in.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we take a deep dive into one of the most powerful systems most Americans rarely think about until the bill arrives: utility monopolies.Most Hoosiers believe electricity works like a market. Choice. Competition. Capitalism. The best company wins.The reality is very different.For most people, electricity is a regulated monopoly. Your provider is determined by where you live. You don't shop for electricity. You inherit it.And that changes everything.Electricity is no longer a luxury. It's not even a convenience. It is survival infrastructure.Heat in the winter.Air conditioning in the summer.Medical devices.Refrigeration.Internet access.Remote work.Modern life itself.That is why utility monopolies were allowed to exist in the first place. The original bargain was simple: utility companies would receive exclusive service territories, and in exchange, government regulators would ensure public accountability, reliable service, and reasonable rates.But what happens when the monopoly remains and accountability becomes harder to see?In this episode, we explore:⚡ The history of utility monopolies in America⚡ Why electricity became essential infrastructure⚡ How monopoly utility territories actually work⚡ The role of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC)⚡ Why electric bills seem more confusing every year⚡ Utility lobbying and political influence⚡ Rate increases, riders, fees, and cost recovery mechanisms⚡ Data centers, artificial intelligence, and growing energy demand⚡ Why consumers often feel powerless inside the system⚡ What reforms could restore accountability and public trustWe also examine one of the most important questions facing Indiana and the country:When consumers cannot realistically leave, who protects the public from the monopoly?Because unlike most industries, utility companies don't compete for customers the traditional way.Most already have them.That means accountability depends on regulators, lawmakers, public oversight, and transparency.And when those systems become too complicated for ordinary people to follow, trust starts to erode.This isn't an anti-utility episode.Electric workers matter.Linemen matter.Engineers matter.Reliable infrastructure matters.The question isn't whether utilities should exist.The question is whether the public still has a meaningful voice in the systems they depend on every day.Because this story isn't really about electricity.It's about power.Who has it.Who profits from it.And who gets left out of the conversation.🎥 Watch now and decide for yourself:Has the original bargain between utilities and the public been broken?🎙️ About Hold 'em AccountableHosted by retired Marine Derrick Holder, Hold 'em Accountable takes a deep dive into politics, public policy, history, and the issues affecting everyday Americans.No spin.No talking points.Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold 'em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#UtilityMonopoly #ElectricBills #IndianaPolitics #EnergyPolicy #HoldEmAccountable

Indiana trusts you to choose the President of the United States.Governor.Congress.State House.State Senate.But apparently, you are too fragile to choose your own Attorney General.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we break down one of the least understood systems in Indiana politics:The convention delegate system.For some of Indiana’s most important statewide offices—including Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Lieutenant Governor—primary voters do not directly choose the party nominee.Delegates do.That raises a serious question:Why are Hoosiers trusted to choose the President, but not trusted to choose the Attorney General?This episode dives into how Indiana’s convention system actually works, who delegates are, why the system still exists, and why it deserves far more scrutiny than it gets.📍 We break down:✔️ Which statewide offices are chosen at convention instead of direct primary✔️ How Indiana delegates are actually selected✔️ Why most voters do not understand delegate races✔️ The difference between representation and political gatekeeping✔️ Why party insiders defend the current system✔️ How smaller political rooms create institutional comfort✔️ Why transparency matters in democracy✔️ Why statewide offices should be chosen directly by votersThis is not an attack on delegates themselves.In fact, Derrick Holder openly discusses being a delegate at the Democratic State Convention while still criticizing the structure of the system.Because the issue is not legitimacy.It is opacity.Most voters have no idea that delegate races can determine who becomes Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, or Lieutenant Governor.That matters.Especially when offices overseeing elections and public money are being decided through processes most voters could not explain without a whiteboard and a migraine.This episode also tackles a bigger philosophical question:America is a constitutional republic built on representation—but does every office really require a political middleman?Congress? Sure.Attorney General?That is a very different argument.🎯 The core argument is simple:If an office affects every Hoosier, every voter should have a direct say in who gets on the ballot.No back rooms.No insider flowcharts.No democracy requiring advanced placement coursework just to understand how nominations happen.Because once the process becomes harder to understand than the office itself, the system stops serving voters and starts serving itself.And that is where trust dies.🎥 Watch now and decide for yourself:Does Indiana’s delegate system protect democracy—or protect insiders?🎙️ Hold ’em AccountableReal conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#IndianaPolitics #DelegateSystem #Democracy #IndianaDemocrats #HoldEmAccountable

The votes are in. The signs are coming down. The consultants are sending invoices. And somewhere in Indiana right now, a candidate who spent six straight months posting pancake breakfast selfies is asking the most painful question in politics:How did I lose?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we break down the May 5 Indiana primary elections and what they actually mean heading into November.No spin. No campaign brochure language. No “we’re excited about the path forward,” which is usually political code for “we are absolutely panicking.”Just reality.This primary was not subtle.Republicans held a loyalty test, and Donald Trump graded it personally. Five Trump-backed challengers defeated incumbent Republican state senators who opposed his redistricting push. Seven GOP Senate incumbents lost overall—the highest number since Ballotpedia began tracking in 2010.That’s not disagreement.That’s enforcement.Meanwhile, Democrats told a more complicated story.In Indiana’s congressional races:📍 IN-04 – Drew Cox defeated three former congressional candidates, signaling Democratic voters chose the progressive over the familiar name.📍 IN-05 – State Senator J.D. Ford defeated progressive favorite Jackson Franklin, showing voters prioritized electability against Victoria Spartz over ideological momentum.📍 IN-06 – Dr. Cinde Wirth stayed the Democratic standard-bearer, proving voters chose conviction over caution.📍 IN-09 – Brad Meyer defeated former nominee Tim Peck and a competitive field, another progressive win and a rejection of political reruns.That leaves us with the real Democratic story:Three progressive wins.One moderate win.Not confusion.Strategy.In redder districts, voters said:“If we’re climbing uphill anyway, send someone who actually believes in the climb.”In battleground districts, they said:“Winning comes first.”That debate didn’t end on primary night.It got louder.We also break down why your State House and State Senate races matter more than Congress for your actual life:🏠 Property taxes🏥 Healthcare access🏫 School funding⚡ Utility regulation⚖️ Reproductive rights🚔 County offices that can ruin your Tuesday faster than Congress ever willBecause while everyone watches Washington…your life gets decided in Indianapolis.This episode covers:✔️ Trump’s continued control of Indiana Republican primaries✔️ Democratic turnout and momentum heading into November✔️ Why moderate Republicans had a very bad night✔️ Why Democrats still have a messaging problem✔️ Why local races matter more than most people realize✔️ What November now looks like for both parties✔️ Why primaries—not general elections—often decide your futureFrom now until the end of August, we’re going weekly deep dive mode:Utility monopoliesHealthcare desertsWhy working full-time still feels like financial parkourWhy childcare costs more than rentWhy poverty somehow comes with a premium subscription feeAnd then…Interview-Palooza 2: Electric BoogalooYes, that is still the official title. No, I will not be taking feedback. That means candidate interviews, congressional races, statehouse races, and local offices that actually affect your daily life. No softballs. No campaign brochure questions. Real conversations. Because democracy does not improve when politicians talk at voters. It improves when voters get loud enough that politicians have to answer.That is the job. That has always been the job.#IndianaPolitics #IndianaPrimary #Election2026 #HoldEmAccountable #PoliticalAnalysis

Most people see politics on election day.The signs.The speeches.The victory parties.The concession speeches.But the real work?That happens long before the cameras show up.It happens in donor spreadsheets.In field plans.In fundraising call time.In the quiet panic of first-time candidates wondering if they’re about to lose everything.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Eva Posner, founder and CEO of Evinco Strategies, a fully remote, women-led political consulting firm helping progressive candidates, campaigns, and organizations win.She’s worked everything from no-budget school board races to million-dollar campaigns with national attention—and she’s here to pull back the curtain on how campaigns actually work.📍 This is not a candidate interview.This is the beginning of our transition into advocate interviews and our upcoming special series on Sci-Fi and Politics.Candidate interviews will return in August—but before we get there, we’re talking to the people behind the machinery of democracy.And few people understand that machinery better than Eva.🔎 In this interview, we break down:🔥 Why politics has a burnout problem📞 Why candidates hate fundraising and why it matters anyway🏛️ Why local races matter more than Congress for daily life💰 Consultant culture and the political industrial complex🧠 The myth that campaigns are about charisma instead of discipline📊 Why candidates need infrastructure, not just inspiration🌾 Why rural voters often feel abandoned by Democrats🏫 Why school boards, county councils, and state legislatures matter most⚖️ How movements are built after losing—not just after winning🗳️ Why democracy depends on organizers, not just elected officialsEva makes one thing clear:Politics rewards exhaustion.Young staffers are expected to burn themselves out.First-time candidates are sold fantasy instead of reality.And too often, democracy is being held together by over-caffeinated people on laptops at midnight trying to stop the whole thing from catching fire.She also drops one of the strongest truths of the interview:“Democracy isn’t self-cleaning.”It requires organizers.Strategists.Advocates.People willing to learn the rules well enough to change them.We also talk about Indiana, red states, Democratic infrastructure, local organizing, consultant failures, and why so many campaigns are built to shout at voters instead of listening to them.🎯 Whether you’re a first-time candidate, campaign volunteer, activist, or just someone wondering why politics feels broken—this conversation matters.Because candidates may be the face of the fight.But the operatives, organizers, and people dragging democracy uphill with both hands?They’re the spine.And they deserve to be seen.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Are we building campaigns… or just renting moments?🎙️ Coming Next on Hold ’em Accountable:We’re shifting into advocate interviews and launching a special Sci-Fi & Politics series—where we explore how fiction helps us understand power, democracy, collapse, and survival.Candidate interviews return in August.Until then—we go deeper.#EvaPosner #PoliticalConsulting #CampaignStrategy #Democracy #HoldEmAccountable

Indiana’s 19th Senate District covers the kind of places that built this state.Bluffton. Hartford City. Portland. Decatur. Southwest Fort Wayne.Factory towns. Family farms. Friday night football. Church parking lots. Working families trying to hold the line while costs keep rising and opportunities keep shrinking.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Timothy Murphy, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 19, to talk about jobs, healthcare, education, rural investment—and why he says democracy itself is part of the problem.His reason for running?Simple.For years, no one ran.No challenger.No real debate.No accountability.And Murphy believes voters deserve better than that.📍 He’s a pastor, advocate, and community organizer stepping into one of Indiana’s toughest races with a focus on working families, healthcare access, public schools, labor rights, and restoring real democratic participation.🔎 In this interview, we break down the biggest issues facing District 19:🏥 Rural hospitals closing services and long drives for emergency care👶 Lost maternity care and disappearing local birth units🏫 Public school funding and private/charter school transparency🌾 Family farms vs. corporate agricultural consolidation🏭 Manufacturing jobs, unions, and worker protections📡 Rural broadband and infrastructure investment🚆 Rail access and regional economic development🧠 Mental health and addiction treatment gaps🏠 Population decline and keeping young people in small towns🗳️ Ballot initiatives and expanding democratic participation in IndianaMurphy makes a strong case for:✔️ Increasing funding for rural hospitals and emergency services✔️ Fully funding public schools before expanding vouchers✔️ Repealing Right-to-Work laws and strengthening unions✔️ Protecting small family farms from corporate consolidation✔️ Expanding mental health services statewide✔️ Real investment in rural broadband and transportation✔️ Creating “third places” and stronger local communities✔️ Giving Hoosiers ballot initiative power to directly shape policyHe also says something that hits hard:Democracy without choices isn’t much of a democracy.That’s why he’s running.Not because it’s easy.Not because it’s likely.Because someone has to.🎯 Then we put it all on the line in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take direct positions:Rural hospitals? Hold.Public schools before vouchers? Hold.Medical marijuana? Hold.Protecting family farms? Hold.Mental health funding? Absolutely hold.Property tax relief for homeowners and seniors? Hold.No scripts.No dodging.Just answers.📍 Whether you live in Adams County, Wells County, Jay County, Blackford County, or anywhere across Indiana, this conversation asks a bigger question:Who is actually fighting for working families now?👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is Timothy Murphy the kind of leadership District 19 needs?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #TimothyMurphy #District19 #WorkingFamilies #RuralHealthcare

Indiana’s 70th District values tradition, trust, and results.From Corydon to Borden, from Fredericksburg to the rural communities in between, voters here care about affordability, small business survival, family farms, public safety, and whether government is actually helping—or just getting bigger.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with John Colburn, Republican candidate for Indiana State House District 70, to talk about what he believes is driving the frustration across southern Indiana.His answer is simple:Government is too big, too expensive, and too involved.📍 Colburn’s campaign centers on one mission:Reduce the size, scope, and power of Indiana state government.And from that, he argues, affordability follows.🔎 In this interview, we break down the biggest issues facing District 70:🏠 Housing affordability and why younger families are being priced out🏥 Healthcare costs vs. health insurance bureaucracy🌾 Family farms, property taxes, and rural land ownership📡 Broadband access and infrastructure priorities🚧 Roads, transportation funding, and interstate toll debates🏪 Small business regulations and insurance burdens🏫 K-12 education funding and administrative bloat🧠 Mental health services and access in rural communities💰 Property tax reform and eliminating taxes for seniors⚖️ Free markets, limited government, and fiscal responsibilityColburn makes a strong case for:✔️ Eliminating property taxes for homeowners 65+✔️ Reducing healthcare middlemen like PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers)✔️ Expanding broadband while protecting Hoosiers from unfair tolls✔️ Cutting red tape for small businesses✔️ Reducing school administration costs and raising teacher pay✔️ Investing in mental health treatment access✔️ Challenging Republican leadership when it grows government too muchHe also makes something very clear:He’s not running to represent the Republican Party.He says he’s running to represent District 70.🎯 Then we put it all on the line in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take direct positions:Universal healthcare? Fold.Raise the minimum wage? Fold.Corporate PAC money? Hold.Universal background checks? Fold.Mental health investment? Hold.Challenge your own party? “Holds squared.”No spin.No scripts.Just answers.📍 Whether you live in Harrison County, Corydon, Borden, or anywhere across Indiana, this conversation is about something bigger:What kind of government actually helps working families?👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is John Colburn the leadership District 70 wants?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #JohnColburn #District70 #ConservativePolitics #SmallGovernment

Indiana’s 70th District carries history—and right now, a whole lot of pressure.From Corydon to Borden, from Fredericksburg to Palmyra, families across southern Indiana are dealing with rising costs, shrinking healthcare access, underfunded public schools, and a growing feeling that government has stopped listening.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Sarah Blessing, Democratic candidate for Indiana State House District 70, to talk about what’s happening on the ground—and why she believes the fight isn’t about party, it’s about people.📍 Sarah isn’t a career politician.She’s a former elementary school teacher, a mother, a community advocate, and co-founder of Project NEXT—a media platform focused on real Hoosier conversations and accountability.And she makes one thing clear:She’s not running as “Democrat Sarah Blessing.”She’s running as someone fighting for her neighbors.🔎 In this interview, we break down the biggest issues facing District 70:🏥 Rural healthcare access and the future of local hospitals👶 The loss of OB-GYN care in Harrison County🌾 Family farms, land ownership, and corporate pressure🚜 Right-to-repair laws and farmers vs. giant equipment companies📚 Public school funding and the damage caused by voucher expansion🏛️ Libraries under attack and broadband access gaps💻 Internet access for rural students and working families🧠 Mental health services and why care should be treated like infrastructure💰 Property taxes, rising costs, and corporate loopholes🏢 Lobbyist influence and corporate PAC money in state politicsSarah also calls out a bigger problem:Too many lawmakers are listening to lobbyists instead of the people who elected them.She talks openly about:✔️ Corporate influence in Indianapolis✔️ Why public schools should be funded before private vouchers✔️ Why libraries are essential public spaces✔️ How Indiana became a testing ground for bad policy✔️ Why elected officials must challenge their own party when people are being hurt🎯 Then we put it all on the line in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take clear positions without hiding behind talking points.Healthcare as a human right? Hold.Raise the minimum wage? Hold.Union protections? Hold.Universal background checks? Hold.Renewable energy jobs? Hold.Public schools before vouchers? Absolutely hold.No spin.No dodge.Just answers.📍 Whether you live in Harrison County, Floyd County, Corydon, Borden, or anywhere across Indiana, this conversation is about something bigger:Who government is actually working for.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is Sarah Blessing the kind of leadership District 70 needs?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #SarahBlessing #District70 #PublicSchools #RuralHealthcare

Indiana’s 64th District is rural, resilient—and under pressure.From Vincennes to Patoka to Haubstadt, families are facing the same reality seen across small-town America: rising costs, stagnant wages, limited healthcare access, and fewer opportunities to stay and build a future.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Candy Greer, a Democratic candidate running for Indiana State House District 64, to talk about what’s really happening on the ground—and what she plans to do about it.📍 This isn’t theory. This is lived experience.🔎 In this interview, Greer lays out the challenges facing southwest Indiana:💰 Wages that haven’t meaningfully increased in over a decade🏠 Housing shortages and corporate property buy-ups🏥 Rural healthcare access and transportation barriers🏫 Public school funding and the impact of voucher programs🌾 Family farms struggling to stay profitable🚧 Infrastructure issues—from roads to water systems to broadband🧠 Mental health and addiction services that need real investment🏪 Small businesses competing in an uneven systemHer message is clear:“We can’t keep waiting for things to get better—we have to change them.”💬 Key policy positions discussed:✔️ Raising the minimum wage and restoring worker negotiating power✔️ Expanding access to healthcare, including transportation support✔️ Investing in public education and re-evaluating voucher programs✔️ Addressing housing affordability and limiting corporate buy-ups✔️ Supporting family farms and rural economies✔️ Treating mental health and addiction as public health priorities✔️ Strengthening infrastructure, including roads and water systems✔️ Holding corporations accountable to pay their fair shareGreer also emphasizes a different kind of leadership:Listening first.Learning from the people living these issues.And working across the aisle when it benefits the district.🎯 Then we put it all on the line in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take clear, no-spin positions on key issues:• Universal healthcare• Raising the minimum wage• Union protections• Public school funding• Gun safety laws• Housing affordability• Mental health investment• Challenging party leadership when necessaryNo scripts.No dodging.Just answers.📍 Whether you live in Vincennes, Gibson County, Knox County, or anywhere across Indiana, this conversation highlights the real struggles facing rural communities—and the choices that will shape their future.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is Candy Greer the kind of leadership District 64 needs?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #CandyGreer #District64 #RuralAmerica #WorkingClass

In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Ryan Price, a working-class Hoosier stepping into the fight for southern Indiana families.From Scottsburg to Charlestown to Sellersburg, District 66 sits at the crossroads of opportunity and struggle—where wages haven’t kept up, housing costs are rising, and too many families feel like the system just isn’t built for them anymore.🔎 In this conversation, Price brings a perspective rooted in real life—not politics:👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A father working to provide for his family🏭 A worker who’s seen wages stagnate while costs climb🏘️ A community member watching housing slip out of reach🏥 A Hoosier who knows how far you have to travel for healthcareAnd he doesn’t sugarcoat it.💬 His message is clear:“The system is rigged against working people—and it’s time to fix it.”📌 Key issues discussed in this interview:💰 Raising wages beyond the $7.25 federal minimum🏠 Addressing the housing crisis and corporate property buy-ups🏫 Fully funding public schools and supporting teachers🏥 Expanding rural healthcare and emergency services🚧 Fixing infrastructure—roads, drainage, and flood prevention🌾 Supporting rural communities and small-town economies⚖️ Strengthening workers’ rights and union protections🏪 Holding corporations accountable for tax incentives🧠 Expanding mental health services across the districtPrice also highlights a growing frustration across his generation—what many call the “Oregon Trail generation”—who were told to follow the rules, only to find the system no longer works the way it was promised.🎯 Then we put him through Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take clear, no-spin positions on the issues that matter most.No talking points.No dodging.Just answers.📍 Whether you live in southern Indiana or anywhere across the country, this conversation reflects a broader reality:People aren’t just frustrated—they’re ready for change.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is Ryan Price the kind of leadership District 66 needs?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #RyanPrice #District66 #WorkingClass #EconomicJustice

Indiana’s 23rd State House District isn’t one story—it’s many.From Logansport to Peru, from Mexico to the communities surrounding Grissom Air Reserve Base, this district represents a mix of rural towns, small cities, and working families all facing the same question:Why does it feel like we’re being left behind?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Austin Meives, a Democratic candidate running to represent District 23, to break down what’s really happening on the ground—and what needs to change.📍 This isn’t about talking points. This is about reality.🔎 In this interview, Meives dives into the issues shaping north central Indiana:🏭 Factory closures and the limits of tax-cut economic policy🌾 The future of family farms and rising operational costs🏥 Rural healthcare struggles, provider shortages, and mental health access🏫 Education funding and the need for real workforce development📡 Broadband gaps and outdated infrastructure🏚️ Housing challenges, abandoned properties, and community decline🚧 Infrastructure systems that haven’t kept pace in decades⚡ The role of the state when markets fail rural communitiesHe makes a clear argument:“One-size-fits-all policy doesn’t work—and it’s leaving rural Indiana behind.”💬 Key takeaways from this conversation:✔️ Rethinking economic development beyond corporate tax incentives✔️ Investing in rural hospitals and mental health systems✔️ Expanding career and technical education earlier in schools✔️ Supporting farmers with new tools and diversified income streams✔️ Treating broadband and infrastructure as essential services✔️ Addressing housing through vacancy policy and smarter zoning✔️ Holding government accountable to the people—not just party leadershipMeives also emphasizes something voters across the district are feeling:They’re not being heard.And when people stop feeling heard—they stop showing up.🎯 Then we put it all on the line in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take clear positions with no spin:• Fully funding public schools• Supporting rural hospitals when markets fail• Expanding broadband access• Holding corporations accountable for tax incentives• Protecting family farms• Voting against party leadership when necessary📍 Whether you’re in Logansport, Peru, Miami County, Cass County, or anywhere across Indiana—this conversation highlights the real challenges facing rural communities and the decisions that will shape their future.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is this the leadership District 23 needs?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #AustinMeives #District23 #RuralAmerica #WorkingClass

Indiana’s 81st District is growing fast.Northwest Fort Wayne, Huntertown, Arcola—new neighborhoods are rising, families are moving in, and opportunity is expanding. But with that growth comes pressure—and the question voters are asking is simple:Is the state keeping up?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Sharon Wight, Democratic candidate for Indiana State House District 81, to break down what rapid growth really means for working families—and what leadership should be doing about it.📍 This isn’t theory. This is what Hoosiers are living right now.🔎 In this interview, Wight lays out the challenges facing District 81:🚧 Infrastructure struggling to keep pace with population growth🏫 Overcrowded schools and public education funding gaps💸 Rising property taxes hitting homeowners🏥 Healthcare affordability and insurance barriers🧠 Mental health services stretched thin🌱 Environmental impact of unchecked development🚦 Traffic congestion and lack of public transportation🏪 Barriers facing small business ownersShe makes a clear case:Growth without planning doesn’t strengthen a community—it overwhelms it.💬 Key issues discussed in this interview:✔️ Investing in roads, maintenance, and long-term infrastructure—not quick fixes✔️ Expanding public transportation and accessibility✔️ Returning public school funding to public schools✔️ Rethinking property taxes and corporate tax abatements✔️ Supporting small businesses with real access to resources✔️ Addressing healthcare costs and insurance failures✔️ Strengthening mental health systems and provider support✔️ Protecting local control and township government✔️ Balancing development with environmental responsibilityWight also speaks directly to something many voters feel:Government shouldn’t be guessing what communities need—it should be listening.🎯 Then we put it all on the line in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take clear positions without hiding behind talking points.📍 Whether you live in Fort Wayne, Allen County, or anywhere across Indiana, this conversation highlights the real challenges facing growing communities—and the decisions that will shape their future.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is this the kind of leadership District 81 needs?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #SharonWight #FortWayne #PublicSchools #Infrastructure

Indiana’s 8th Congressional District—often called the “Bloody 8th”—has always been competitive.But right now, the stakes feel different.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Tabitha Zeigler, a Democratic candidate stepping into one of Indiana’s most closely watched races—and bringing a message rooted in real-life experience, not political talking points.From Evansville to Terre Haute, from Vincennes to Jasper, this district represents a cross-section of rural America—and the challenges people here are facing are impossible to ignore.🔎 In this interview, Zeigler breaks down the issues impacting everyday Hoosiers:🏥 Rural healthcare access and hospital closures💊 The rising cost of care and Medicaid barriers📉 Economic pressure on working families🌽 The future of small farms and land ownership📡 Broadband gaps and infrastructure needs🎓 Brain drain—why young Hoosiers are leaving the state⚡ Renewable energy, land use, and local control🧠 Mental health and disability advocacyDrawing from her experience as a parent, advocate, and community voice, Zeigler makes a direct case for:✔️ Universal healthcare✔️ Stronger investment in rural communities✔️ Protecting family farms from corporate consolidation✔️ Expanding mental health resources✔️ Giving constituents a real voice in governmentThis conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard truths.It dives into what many Hoosiers are feeling right now:That the system isn’t working for them—and hasn’t been for a long time.Then we put it all to the test in Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire segment where candidates take clear positions on key issues:• Healthcare as a human right• Raising the minimum wage• Union protections• Clean energy investment• Gun safety• Housing affordability• Mental health funding• Holding both parties accountableNo spin. No scripts. Just answers.📍 Whether you live in southern Indiana or anywhere across the country, this conversation highlights what’s happening in communities that too often get overlooked—and why it matters.👉 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself:Is this the kind of leadership Indiana’s 8th is ready for?🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #TabithaZeigler #IN08 #RuralAmerica #HealthcareCrisis

Indiana’s 4th Congressional District isn’t simple—and it’s not easy to win.From Purdue’s research economy in Lafayette to the rural farm communities of Carroll and Clinton counties, to the fast-growing suburbs like Avon, Plainfield, and Zionsville—this district demands a candidate who can connect across every line.In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Paul McPherson, a Democratic candidate bringing a unique mix of experience: farming, manufacturing, engineering, and education.So what makes his campaign different?This conversation dives into the real issues shaping Indiana’s 4th District:🌾 The future of family farms and rising land costs🏥 Rural hospital closures and healthcare access📡 The broadband gap still impacting rural communities🏗️ Infrastructure investment and taxpayer accountability🎓 Keeping Purdue and Indiana graduates in-state🤝 Bridging the political divide in a red-leaning districtMcPherson makes a clear case for a more balanced, results-driven approach—positioning himself as someone willing to meet in the middle while still pushing for real solutions.He also lays out a strategy that goes beyond ads and headlines:Knocking on doors, showing up in small towns, and building trust the old-fashioned way.Then we put him through the ultimate test—Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire round where candidates take clear, no-spin positions on the issues:✔️ Healthcare as a human right✔️ Raising the minimum wage✔️ Union protections✔️ Clean energy investment✔️ Gun safety✔️ Housing affordability✔️ Mental health funding✔️ Holding both parties accountableThis isn’t about party talking points.This is about accountability, real conversations, and giving voters direct access to the people asking for their vote.📍 Whether you’re in Lafayette, Frankfort, Greencastle, Avon, Martinsville, or anywhere in between—this race impacts you.👉 Watch the full interview, hear the answers for yourself, and decide who’s ready to represent Indiana’s 4th District.🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No scripts. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #PaulMcPherson #IN04 #CongressionalRace #MidwestPolitics

Indiana’s 4th Congressional District isn’t easy territory for Democrats. It stretches from Lafayette’s innovation economy to rural farm counties, to fast-growing suburbs like Avon and Plainfield—and it has leaned heavily Republican for years.So what does it take to compete here?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, we sit down with Jayden McCash, a Democratic candidate bringing a different kind of message into a crowded primary. A lifelong Hoosier and working-class candidate, Jayden is running on a “Hoosier First” approach—focused on unity, economic fairness, and challenging politics as usual.This conversation dives deep into the real issues shaping Indiana’s 4th District:🔹 Connecting Purdue’s growth to rural communities🔹 Protecting family farms from harmful trade policies🔹 Fighting rising healthcare costs with Medicare for All🔹 Infrastructure challenges, including roads, broadband, and toll roads🔹 Immigration enforcement and concerns around ICE overreach🔹 Workforce retention and keeping young professionals in IndianaJayden also shares why he believes he can bring together disaffected voters across party lines—and why he thinks this district is more competitive than people realize.Then we put him through the ultimate test: Hold ’em or Fold ’em—our rapid-fire round where candidates take clear positions on the issues without the political spin.From healthcare as a human right to union protections, clean energy jobs, gun safety, and housing affordability—you’ll see exactly where he stands.This isn’t about party talking points.This is about accountability, real conversations, and giving voters direct access to the people asking for their vote.📍 Whether you’re in Lafayette, Frankfort, Greencastle, Martinsville, Rensselaer, or anywhere in between—this race impacts you.👉 Watch the full interview, hear the answers for yourself, and decide who’s ready to represent Indiana’s 4th District.🎙️ About Hold ’em Accountable:Real conversations. No spin. No script. Just the questions voters actually care about.#IndianaPolitics #JaydenMcCash #IN04 #CongressionalRace #MidwestPolitics

What happens when Washington policies hit real life in Indiana’s 4th Congressional District?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Joe Mackey to break down the reality facing Hoosiers across one of the most diverse districts in the state—from Lafayette and Purdue University to rural farm communities, small towns, and growing suburbs.This isn’t theory. This is what people are dealing with right now:Rising healthcare costs that are crushing familiesRural communities losing access to doctors, broadband, and opportunityFarmers struggling with consolidation, global competition, and collapsing marketsHousing affordability pushing young families outEducation gaps between urban and rural schoolsJoe Mackey brings a blue-collar, manufacturing background and years of grassroots involvement across Indiana’s 4th District. In this conversation, he lays out why he believes both parties have missed the mark—and why representation should focus on real outcomes, not political loyalty.We dig into:✔️ Healthcare reform and the reality of access in rural Indiana✔️ The housing crisis and solutions like workforce and starter homes✔️ Why agriculture policy needs a complete reset✔️ Education inequality and broadband gaps in rural schools✔️ The fight for small businesses vs corporate consolidation✔️ Infrastructure, water management, and long-term planningThis district includes communities like Lafayette, Frankfort, Delphi, Greencastle, Avon, Plainfield, Zionsville, and Martinsville—and each one faces different challenges. The question is: can one voice represent them all?That’s what this conversation is about.👉 If you care about Indiana politics, working-class issues, rural America, or the future of Congressional leadership—this is one you don’t want to miss.🎙️ About the Show:Hold ’em Accountable is about cutting through political noise and focusing on what actually impacts people—policy, accountability, and real conversations with the people asking for your vote.#IndianaPolitics #RuralAmerica #JoeMackey #HealthcareCrisis #HoldEmAccountable

What happens when communities start slipping through the cracks?In this clip from Hold ’em Accountable, Tiffanie Arthur, Democratic candidate for Indiana State House District 63, speaks directly to what she’s seeing across southern Indiana—and why she decided to run.She’s watched public schools lose funding.She’s seen rural hospitals face uncertainty.And she’s watched young families struggle to afford housing—or leave altogether in search of better opportunities.For Arthur, this isn’t theoretical. It’s happening in real time across communities like Loogootee, Washington, Jasper, and the Crane region.Her message is simple:Leadership isn’t about waiting.It’s about stepping up.In this conversation, Tiffanie Arthur highlights the urgent issues facing rural Indiana:🔹 Declining funding for public schools🔹 Healthcare access and rural hospital stability🔹 Housing affordability challenges for young families🔹 Population loss in small-town communities🔹 The need for leadership that reflects real lived experienceThis is about more than policy.It’s about whether southern Indiana gets a voice that understands what families are going through—and is willing to fight for solutions.👇 Watch the full clip and decide for yourself.📢 Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews and accountability content:👉 @Holdemaccountable-g4c🎧 Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts#IndianaPolitics #TiffanieArthur #RuralIndiana #HousingCrisis #HoldEmAccountable

In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Todd Shelton, Democratic candidate for Indiana State House District 25, to talk about what it actually feels like when factories close, wages stall, and communities are left behind—and what real leadership should look like in response.Todd isn’t speaking from theory.He worked at General Motors. He lived through a plant shutdown. He saw jobs shipped overseas and stepped up as a union committeeman to fight for working families who didn’t have a voice. That experience shaped everything that came next—military service, higher education through the GI Bill, teaching, and building a small business right here in Indiana.This conversation dives into the real issues facing District 25 (Anderson, Alexandria, Pendleton, Atlanta) and communities across Indiana:🔹 Job loss and economic recovery in working-class communities🔹 Workforce training and bringing back good-paying jobs🔹 Healthcare access and long wait times for Hoosiers🔹 Public school funding and teacher support🔹 Small business growth vs corporate advantage🔹 What accountability in government should actually look likeThis isn’t about party talking points.It’s about whether Indiana is going to keep sending the same voices to the Statehouse—or start sending people who’ve actually lived the consequences of those decisions.Todd Shelton is making the case that representation should come from experience, not distance.Now the question is: will voters agree?👇 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself.📢 Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, debates, and accountability content:👉 @Holdemaccountable-g4c🎧 Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts#IndianaPolitics #ToddShelton #HoldEmAccountable #WorkingClassPolitics #IndianaElections

Indiana’s 29th District is changing—fast.From Noblesville’s rapid growth to rising property taxes, school funding battles, and housing affordability concerns, families across Hamilton County are asking the same question:Is growth helping us… or leaving us behind?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, retired Marine and host Derrick Holder sits down with Devon Wellington, Democratic candidate for Indiana State House District 29, to break down what’s really happening on the ground—and what leadership should look like moving forward.This isn’t surface-level politics. This is about real policy, real consequences, and real people.🔍 What We Cover in This Interview:▪️ Noblesville growth & developmentHow do you balance economic growth while preserving community identity and affordability?▪️ Property taxes & affordability crisisWhy broad tax cuts may miss the people who need relief the most—and what targeted solutions look like.▪️ Public education funding in IndianaThe fight over vouchers, public school stability, and what’s happening behind the scenes in state policy.▪️ Mental health & workforce shortagesWhy access isn’t just about funding—but about building a system that actually works.▪️ Small business vs corporate advantageHow national chains and policy decisions are reshaping local economies.▪️ Housing affordability & outside investorsWhy Hamilton County is seeing a surge in out-of-state ownership—and what it means for families.▪️ How policy actually gets madeNot the headlines—the real process behind legislation and where influence happens.🇺🇸 Why This MattersDistrict 29 isn’t just another race.It’s a snapshot of what’s happening across Indiana and the country:Rapid suburban growthRising costs of livingStrain on schools and infrastructureAnd growing frustration with leadership that feels disconnectedThis conversation goes beyond party lines and gets to the core issue:👉 Who is government actually working for?🎙️ About Hold ’em AccountableThis show is built on one idea:Give the people direct access to the people asking for their vote.No spin. No shortcuts. Just real conversations about policy, priorities, and accountability.👉 If you care about Indiana politics, local elections, public schools, or the future of your community—this is a conversation you need to hear.👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share to keep these conversations going.So stay informed, ask questions, and as always—hold ’em accountable.#IndianaPolitics #Noblesville #PublicEducation #PropertyTaxes #LocalGovernment

What happens when someone who’s actually lived the struggle steps into politics?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Jack Chance, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 30, covering Kokomo, Greentown, Swayze, and surrounding communities.This isn’t a polished political pitch. This is a real conversation about what working-class Hoosiers are dealing with right now—and why so many feel like the system isn’t built for them anymore.Jack Chance isn’t a career politician. He’s worked fast food, loaded docks, welded metal, managed housing, and spent years helping families on the edge of losing everything. Now, he’s stepping up to run for office with a focus on housing affordability, labor rights, healthcare access, and economic dignity.We break down the issues that matter most in Indiana’s 30th District:🔹 Rising housing costs and why the “free market” isn’t so free🔹 Union jobs, right-to-work laws, and the future of manufacturing in Kokomo🔹 The EV transition and protecting Hoosier workers🔹 Rural neglect—why small towns like Greentown and Swayze keep getting left behind🔹 Public education funding and the fight over school vouchers🔹 Healthcare access, addiction, and the real cost of economic despair🔹 Utility costs, corporate profits, and who’s really paying the priceWe also put Jack through the Hold ’em or Fold ’em round—rapid-fire questions that cut through the talking points and get straight to where he stands.This conversation is about more than one candidate.It’s about whether working-class voices still have a path to representation in Indiana—and what happens when someone decides to stop managing the damage and start challenging the system itself.📍 If you live in Kokomo, Howard County, Grant County, or anywhere in Indiana, this is your conversation too.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments.Do you think the system is working for working families—or against them?🎙️ Subscribe for more real conversations with candidates across Indiana#IndianaPolitics #WorkingClass #UnionJobs #AffordableHousing #HoldEmAccountable

Indiana’s 29th State Senate District is at a crossroads.From Zionsville and West Clay to Claremont and the communities surrounding Indianapolis, this district is growing rapidly. New housing, rising property values, expanding schools… but also increasing pressure on infrastructure, affordability, and quality of life.So the real question is: who’s shaping that future?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Kristina Moorhead, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 29, to break down what voters are actually facing and what real representation should look like in a fast-changing suburban district.We dig into:🚧 Infrastructure challenges and road funding across Central Indiana🎓 Public school funding vs vouchers and charter expansion💰 Property tax reform and affordability concerns🏥 Healthcare costs, Medicaid, and the Healthy Indiana Plan🏘️ Housing shortages in high-growth suburbs like Carmel and Zionsville🏛️ Local control vs state government interference🤝 How to pass real legislation in a divided State SenateKristina brings over 20 years of policy experience, especially in healthcare, and offers a detailed look at how state-level decisions impact real Hoosier families.And as always, we close it out with Hold ’em or Fold ’em — where the talking points stop and the real positions come out.Why This MattersIndiana politics isn’t just about party lines — it’s about whether families can afford to live, work, and raise their kids in the communities they call home.District 29 represents a growing piece of that story, where suburban expansion meets real economic pressure.This conversation is about accountability, transparency, and making sure voters hear directly from the people asking for their trust.📍 District Covered:Zionsville, West Clay, Carmel, Claremont, and surrounding Indianapolis-area communities🎙️ Show: Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder👉 If you care about Indiana politics, state policy, or the future of growing communities… this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.So stay informed, ask questions, and as always—hold ’em accountable.#IndianaPolitics #StateSenate #KristinaMoorhead #HealthcarePolicy #HoldEmAccountable

If you live in Indiana State Senate District 29, you’re already feeling it.The traffic. The construction. The rapid development. The rising property taxes. The pressure on schools and infrastructure. But the bigger question is this:👉 Who is this growth actually working for… and who’s stuck paying for it?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Rev. David Greene, Sr. to break down the real issues impacting communities across West Clay, Zionsville, Traders Point, Eagle Creek, Clermont, and Chapel Hill.This isn’t political spin. This is about what’s happening on your street, in your schools, and in your wallet.We dive into the biggest challenges facing District 29 and Indiana voters heading into the 2026 election:🔹 Property taxes and rising home insurance costs🔹 Smart growth vs unchecked development🔹 Public school funding and teacher shortages🔹 Traffic congestion and infrastructure planning🔹 Protecting Eagle Creek and water quality🔹 Mental health access and healthcare affordability🔹 Government accountability and transparencyDistrict 29 sits at the crossroads of suburban expansion and long-established neighborhoods. And right now, families are asking real questions:Are developers being held accountable?Are taxpayers footing the bill for poor planning?Are decisions being made with the community… or for it?Rev. David Greene, Sr. brings a perspective shaped by decades of community leadership, public service, and coalition building. His focus is on affordability, accountability, and protecting quality of life for the people who already live here.Because this isn’t just about growth.It’s about whether that growth benefits Hoosiers… or burdens them.📌 If you care about Indiana politics, local elections, property taxes, education, or the future of your community, this is a conversation you need to hear.👉 Subscribe for more candidate interviews, policy breakdowns, and real conversations that hold leaders accountable.#IndianaPolitics #PropertyTaxes #LocalGovernment #Election2026 #HoldEmAccountable

What’s really happening in Indiana Senate District 21?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Kirsten Root to break down the real issues impacting Hoosiers right now, from mental health and public safety to education funding, housing costs, and government accountability.This isn’t political theater. This is about what’s actually hitting your kitchen table.District 21 spans fast-growing suburbs like Westfield and established communities like Kokomo and Tipton. And across all of them, one thing is clear: families are being squeezed. Rising costs, limited healthcare access, underfunded schools, and policy decisions that feel disconnected from everyday life.One of the most urgent issues we discuss is the mental health crisis. Law enforcement across the district is saying the same thing: jails have become the largest mental health providers in their communities. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not what public safety is supposed to look like.We also dive into:Public school funding vs voucher expansionHousing affordability and property tax pressureRural vs suburban investment gapsBroadband access and telehealth expansionGovernment transparency and lobbyist influenceKirsten Root brings a perspective shaped by real-world experience as a social worker and public servant, focusing on practical solutions instead of political talking points.If you care about Indiana politics, working families, or the future of your community, this is a conversation you need to hear.👉 Subscribe for more candidate interviews, policy breakdowns, and real conversations that hold leaders accountable.#IndianaPolitics #MentalHealthCrisis #KirstenRoot #HealthcareAccess #HoldEmAccountable

In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Scott Houldieson, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 1, covering Lake County communities like Highland, Griffith, Schererville, and St. John.We break down the real issues facing Northwest Indiana: rising costs, stagnant wages, property taxes, infrastructure challenges, public school funding, and access to affordable healthcare.Scott, a longtime United Auto Workers (UAW) member and community advocate, shares his perspective on working-class struggles, corporate influence in state government, and what it means to put people over profits in Indiana politics.We also discuss environmental protection, union jobs, local control, and the future of economic development in one of Indiana’s most industrial and rapidly evolving regions.If you care about Indiana politics, labor rights, local elections, or how state decisions impact working families, this is a must-watch interview.📍 Northwest Indiana is at a crossroads. The question is: who is fighting for working families?👉 Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, debates, and accountability content.#IndianaPolitics #NorthwestIndiana #LakeCountyIN #UAW #LaborRights #WorkingClass #Election2026 #HoldEmAccountable #LocalPolitics #UnionStrong

In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Rachel Bleicher, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 24, covering Westfield, Sheridan, Carmel, and Boone County.We break down the real issues facing one of Indiana’s fastest-growing suburban districts: rising housing costs, childcare affordability, public school funding, infrastructure strain, and responsible economic growth.Rachel shares her vision for working families, smart development, fiscal responsibility, and keeping public dollars in public schools. We also discuss how to balance rapid population growth with community character and long-term sustainability.If you care about Indiana politics, local elections, suburban growth, or how state government decisions impact your daily life, this is a must-watch interview.📍 District 24 is changing. The question is: will leadership change with it?👉 Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, debates, and accountability content.#IndianaPolitics #WestfieldIN #IndianaHouse #LocalPolitics #Election2026 #HoldEmAccountable #SuburbanGrowth #PublicSchools #WorkingFamilies #IndianaDemocrats

In this episode of Hold 'em Accountable, I sit down with Kory Amyx, a Democratic candidate running for U.S. Congress in Indiana’s 6th Congressional District (IN-06). This district stretches from the south side of Indianapolis through Greenwood and Columbus and across East Central Indiana communities like Rushville and Richmond, representing a mix of suburban growth, manufacturing powerhouses, and rural communities.During our conversation, we dive into the real issues that Hoosiers across the district are talking about right now: rising healthcare costs, wage stagnation, rural economic development, manufacturing jobs, small business growth, broadband expansion, and workforce training. Amyx explains how his economic plan aims to strengthen both fast-growing suburbs like Greenwood and industrial hubs like Columbus, while ensuring smaller communities don’t get left behind.We also discuss Medicare for All, rural hospital funding, mental health services, workforce development, infrastructure investment, and the future of American manufacturing. Amyx argues that federal policy must prioritize working families, small businesses, and local economies instead of corporate monopolies and political gamesmanship.Another key focus of the interview is how a candidate can represent a deeply conservative district while still advocating for policies focused on wages, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and infrastructure investment.If you follow Indiana politics, U.S. elections, congressional races, rural policy, manufacturing policy, or economic issues affecting working-class families, this interview gives you a direct look at one of the candidates seeking to represent Indiana’s 6th District in Congress.Watch the full conversation and decide for yourself.Stay informed. Ask questions.And as always…Hold 'em accountable.

In this episode of Hold Them Accountable, I sit down with David Boyd, a Democratic candidate running for U.S. Congress in Indiana’s 6th Congressional District (IN-06). This district covers a large and diverse region of Indiana including the south side of Indianapolis, Columbus, Shelbyville, Madison, and many rural counties across southeastern Indiana.During this conversation, we break down the issues voters across the district are talking about most: rural healthcare access, broadband expansion, economic opportunity, manufacturing jobs, agriculture policy, infrastructure investment, and the rising cost of living. Boyd shares his perspective on how federal policy decisions in Washington directly affect Hoosiers at home.We discuss the challenges facing rural hospitals in Indiana, the impact of Medicaid funding cuts, and what Congress can do to prevent hospital closures that force families to drive hours for care. Boyd also talks about strengthening union jobs, protecting family farms from corporate consolidation, expanding rural broadband access, and making sure federal infrastructure dollars actually reach communities instead of getting trapped in political bureaucracy.Another major focus of the conversation is economic pressure on working families, including housing costs, grocery prices, tariffs, and proposals like price controls and stronger antitrust enforcement to protect consumers and small businesses.We also discuss veterans services, VA staffing shortages, campaign transparency, congressional stock trading bans, and restoring trust in government through regular town halls and direct accountability to voters.If you follow Indiana politics, U.S. elections, congressional races, rural policy, or working-class economic issues, this interview offers a direct look at one of the candidates seeking to represent Indiana’s 6th District in Congress.Stay informed. Ask questions. And as always…Hold them accountable.

In this episode of Hold Them Accountable, I sit down with Dr. Cinde Wirth, a Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 6th Congressional District, to talk about the real issues facing Hoosiers across Columbus, Shelbyville, Madison, the south side of Indianapolis, and rural communities across central and eastern Indiana.This conversation goes beyond political talking points. We discuss what everyday life actually looks like for families in Indiana right now: rising healthcare costs, wage stagnation, housing affordability, prescription drug prices, childcare costs, and the pressure many working families feel just trying to stay afloat. As a scientist, teacher, business owner, and former Congressional Legislative Fellow, Dr. Wirth brings a unique perspective on how federal policy is written in Washington and how it impacts real communities back home.We also dive into major policy issues shaping the 2026 election cycle, including universal healthcare, rural hospital closures, education funding, corporate accountability, campaign finance reform, reproductive rights, immigration policy, and infrastructure investments like rural broadband and transportation funding.Indiana’s 6th District is one of the most politically challenging districts for Democrats, but conversations like this matter because democracy works best when voters hear directly from the candidates asking for their trust.If you live in Indiana, follow U.S. politics, care about economic policy, healthcare reform, or want to understand why society works the way it does and how it can be improved, this interview is for you.Watch the full conversation and decide for yourself.Stay informed. Ask questions. Hold them accountable.#IndianaPolitics #CindeWirth #IN06 #IndianaElection #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #HealthcarePolicy #WorkingClassPolitics #MidwestPolitics #HoldThemAccountable

Indiana State Senate District 15 is changing quickly. New neighborhoods continue to rise in Huntertown, businesses are expanding across the northeast corridor of Fort Wayne, and families are moving into the area looking for safety, opportunity, and strong schools. But growth has a cost when leadership fails to plan for it. In this episode, I sit down with Julie McGill to talk about what it means to manage that growth responsibly and why she believes District 15 needs leadership that keeps families at the center of the conversation.Our discussion moves through the issues people in this district are feeling every day. We talk about infrastructure, traffic congestion, school enrollment, and the strain that rapid growth places on roads, utilities, and emergency services. Julie argues that the state must do more than react after the fact. It has to plan ahead, collaborate across county and district lines, and make sure that growing communities are not left scrambling for resources once the pressure is already there.Healthcare becomes a major focus of the conversation. Julie speaks candidly about what she has seen in the healthcare system, both personally and as a parent navigating care for a child with disabilities. We discuss Medicaid waivers, nonprofit hospital accountability, telehealth, provider shortages, and why she believes the state is making short-sighted decisions that hurt working families instead of supporting them.We also examine property taxes, school funding, childcare, mental health access, small businesses, and the challenge of passing meaningful legislation in a Republican-dominated Statehouse. What stood out most to me was Julie’s emphasis on analysis, detail, and long-term thinking. She makes the case that Indiana’s current policies are too often reactive and disconnected from how families actually live.At its core, this episode is about whether growth in District 15 will be managed with foresight or simply endured by the people who live there.#IndianaPolitics #JulieMcGill #District15 #IndianaStateSenate #FortWaynePolitics #Huntertown #AllenCounty #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #HealthcareAccess #SchoolFunding #PropertyTaxes #Infrastructure #WorkingFamilies #HoldEmAccountable

In this episode, I sit down with Chloe Andis for a thoughtful political conversation about the future of Indiana State Senate District 15, a region that includes parts of Fort Wayne and the rapidly growing community of Huntertown in Allen County. This discussion dives into the real policy challenges facing northern Indiana, including infrastructure growth, property taxes, public education funding, and the role state government plays in supporting local communities.We talk about how District 15 is evolving as population growth and suburban expansion reshape the area. We explore how communities like Fort Wayne and Huntertown are interconnected and why public policy must recognize the unique needs of both urban neighborhoods and fast-growing suburbs. From roads and utilities to school capacity and public services, the conversation focuses on how Indiana can plan responsibly for long-term growth.Property taxes emerge as a major topic for Hoosier homeowners, especially seniors and families on fixed incomes. We examine how heavy reliance on property taxes to fund local government places pressure on residents and discuss ideas for balancing local funding with greater state responsibility for essential services.Education policy is another key focus. We break down the ongoing debate surrounding teacher shortages, school funding formulas, and Indiana’s private school voucher system, along with why investing in public schools and supporting educators is critical to the future workforce and economic stability of the region.For viewers interested in Indiana politics, state senate races, Fort Wayne policy debates, infrastructure planning, property tax reform, and public education funding, this interview provides meaningful insight into the decisions shaping District 15 and the broader Hoosier State.Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, candidate conversations, and accountability-focused discussions about how communities can build a stronger future together.Hashtags:#IndianaPolitics #ChloeAndis #District15 #FortWaynePolitics #HuntertownIN #IndianaStateSenate #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #PropertyTaxes #Infrastructure #EducationFunding #TeacherShortage #PublicSchools #StateElections #CivicEngagement

In this episode, I sit down with Keil Roark for an in-depth conversation about the future of Indiana’s 9th Congressional District and the political, economic, and social challenges shaping communities across southern Indiana. This district includes a unique mix of college towns like Bloomington, historic river cities, and rural communities, all facing questions about jobs, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and long-term growth.Keil Roark, a U.S. Navy veteran, electrical engineer, and project manager, joins me to talk about why he’s running for Congress and what meaningful representation should look like in Washington. We dive into the real issues affecting working families across the district, including living wages, union jobs, workforce development, and economic policies that support both manufacturing communities like Bedford and research-driven economies like Bloomington.Healthcare access becomes a central focus of our discussion. Many rural counties in Indiana’s 9th District are dealing with hospital closures, Medicaid cuts, and reduced access to affordable healthcare. Keil explains why protecting rural hospitals, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and expanding access to medical services are critical to the long-term stability of these communities.We also talk about the importance of balancing innovation and economic stability, particularly when it comes to federal investment in healthcare research, medical technology, and public health initiatives. As Indiana’s population ages and rural healthcare challenges grow, these investments could shape the region’s future for decades.For viewers interested in Indiana politics, congressional races, Midwestern public policy, rural economic development, healthcare reform, and the historical forces shaping modern American politics, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and real policy discussion.If you want to better understand how local issues connect to national policy and why leadership matters in communities like southern Indiana, this episode delivers an important conversation about accountability, representation, and the future of the Hoosier State.Hashtags:#IndianaPolitics #KeilRoark #IN09 #Indiana9thDistrict #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #HealthcareAccess #RuralHospitals #EconomicDevelopment #UnionJobs #CongressionalRace #MidwestPolitics #PublicPolicy #CivicEngagement #HoldEmAccountable

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Marshall, for a powerful and deeply personal political conversation about the future of Indiana State Senate District 45 and the challenges facing rural and small-town Hoosiers. From affordable housing and education equity to infrastructure, environmental protection, and mental health access, this discussion explores how lived experience shapes public policy and why local elections matter more than many people realize.Nick Marshall shares his journey from foster care survivor to state senate candidate, offering a perspective rooted in resilience, service, and community advocacy. I explore how his background informs his approach to transparent government, political accountability, and restoring trust between voters and Indianapolis leadership. Together, we break down the issues impacting District 45, including property taxes, rural school funding disparities, transportation and toll policies, and the economic pressures facing working families across southern Indiana.We also discuss how Indiana can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, strengthen mental health services, and ensure rural communities are not left behind as development expands. This conversation connects modern policy debates with the broader historical story of Indiana politics, examining why communities feel unheard and what meaningful representation could look like moving forward.If you follow Indiana politics, state senate races, grassroots democracy, Midwestern public policy, rural economic development, or political interviews focused on real solutions, this episode provides insight, context, and thoughtful dialogue about how society works and how it can improve.Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, candidate conversations, and accountability-driven discussions designed to inform voters, spark conversation, and encourage civic engagement across the Hoosier State.Hashtags:#IndianaPolitics #NickMarshall #District45 #IndianaStateSenate #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #RuralIndiana #AffordableHousing #EducationEquity #MentalHealthAccess #GovernmentAccountability #EnvironmentalPolicy #StateElections #GrassrootsDemocracy #CivicEngagement

Elkhart County has long represented the spirit of Hoosier innovation. Known for its manufacturing strength and hardworking communities, it is also facing a period of transition as economic pressures, rising costs, and industry changes reshape daily life. In this episode, I sit down with Carl Stutsman, candidate for Indiana House District 48, to talk about what those changes mean for local families and what leadership looks like during uncertain times.We begin by exploring the manufacturing backbone of Elkhart County. Despite significant economic activity flowing through the region, many workers continue to experience stagnant wages while healthcare and housing costs rise. I ask how state policy can better support working families and ensure economic growth translates into real opportunity.Our conversation moves into housing affordability, job stability, and the growing challenge of middle-income families being priced out of homeownership. We also discuss the future of manufacturing as automation advances, and what it means to prepare the workforce without abandoning communities built around these industries.Education emerges as a central theme, particularly funding for public schools and support for teachers. We examine the broader debate around vouchers and the long-term role strong public education plays in sustaining local economies. Healthcare access, especially for rural and working-class residents, also takes focus, along with the importance of maintaining programs that connect underserved populations to care.Finally, we talk about property taxes, infrastructure investment, and the continued need for rural broadband expansion as essential components of community growth.At its core, this conversation is about listening to communities, strengthening opportunity, and finding practical paths forward as Elkhart County navigates economic change and prepares for the future.#IndianaPolitics #CarlStutsman #District48 #ElkhartCounty #IndianaHouse #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #ManufacturingJobs #AffordableHousing #EducationFunding #HealthcareAccess #RuralBroadband #EconomicDevelopment #StateElections #CommunityLeadership

In this episode, I sit down for a thoughtful and wide-ranging political conversation about community, public safety, mental health, and the future of Indiana with Clif Marsiglio. This discussion brings politics back to the local level, focusing on how real-life experiences shape policy ideas and how grassroots leadership can influence meaningful change across Indianapolis and surrounding communities.Clif Marsiglio shares his journey from nearly three decades in education and community organizing to becoming a candidate for the Indiana State Senate, offering insight into how lived experience informs his approach to leadership. We explore the idea that true public safety goes beyond traditional policing and instead includes mental health access, affordable housing, economic opportunity, and strong neighborhood connections. I examine how community-driven solutions can address the root causes of instability while strengthening trust between residents and local institutions.The conversation also touches on authenticity, personal resilience, and how vulnerability can build stronger civic engagement. We discuss challenges facing urban Indiana after the pandemic, including infrastructure investment, public transit expansion, equitable development, and the long-term vision for Indianapolis neighborhoods. Clif outlines his views on sustainable growth, mixed-income housing, and supporting small businesses as the backbone of thriving communities rather than relying solely on large corporate development.For viewers interested in Indiana politics, state senate races, public safety reform, grassroots activism, Midwestern political history, and understanding how society evolves through local decision-making, this interview offers context, depth, and meaningful dialogue.If you’re looking for political conversations that go beyond headlines and explore how communities can solve problems together, this episode delivers insight into leadership, accountability, and the future direction of Indiana.Hashtags:#IndianaPolitics #ClifMarsiglio #StateSenate #IndianapolisPolitics #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #PublicSafety #MentalHealthAccess #AffordableHousing #GrassrootsPolitics #CommunityLeadership #UrbanDevelopment #IndianaElections #CivicEngagement #PolicyDiscussion

In this episode, I sit down for an in-depth political conversation with the Republican candidate for Indiana House District 46, Tom Arthur, to examine the real challenges facing rural Hoosier communities. From education funding and childcare access to infrastructure, housing affordability, and economic development, this discussion goes beyond party labels and focuses on how state-level decisions shape everyday life in Indiana.Tom Arthur’s background as a math teacher, mayor, and school principal offers a unique perspective on public service, accountability, and community leadership. I explore how those experiences inform his policy priorities, particularly when it comes to strengthening public schools, reforming Indiana’s education funding formula, and ensuring rural districts receive equitable resources. We also dive into the elimination of childcare vouchers and what that means for working families, single parents, and workforce participation across District 46.Infrastructure is another major focus. We discuss road conditions, including concerns about I-70, broadband expansion for rural communities, and long-term investments that support both economic growth and quality of life. Housing costs, property taxes, utility rates, and energy policy round out the conversation as we examine the rising cost of living in Indiana and potential solutions at the Statehouse.For viewers who follow Indiana politics, state house races, rural economic development, public education policy, infrastructure reform, and Midwestern political history, this interview provides thoughtful dialogue and policy-driven analysis. If you want to understand how local leadership connects to larger societal questions about fairness, accountability, and economic opportunity, this episode delivers.Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, candidate conversations, and accountability-focused discussions about the future of our communities.Hashtags:#IndianaPolitics #TomArthur #District46 #IndianaHouse #HoosierPolitics #RuralIndiana #PoliticalInterview #EducationFunding #Infrastructure #ChildcarePolicy #EconomicDevelopment #PropertyTaxes #BroadbandAccess #PublicService #StateElections

In this episode, I sit down for an in-depth political conversation about the future of Indiana House District 29, including Noblesville and the rapidly growing communities of Hamilton County with Coumba Kebe. Local legislative races often shape everyday life more than national headlines, and in this discussion, I explore how state-level decisions impact housing affordability, public education, healthcare access, workforce development, and environmental sustainability across Indiana.Coumba Kebe brings a public health perspective to the race, and we break down the real challenges facing District 29: rising property taxes, infrastructure strain from rapid growth, and the balance between development and preserving community character. We discuss how the Indiana General Assembly can remove barriers to affordable housing while respecting local zoning and planning decisions. I also press into the ongoing debate around property tax reform and the importance of fully funding essential local services like public safety and public schools.Education policy takes center stage as we examine teacher pay, school funding, and Indiana’s national rankings. We also dive into healthcare legislation, mental health access, and the broader healthcare crisis affecting working families. Workforce development, small business partnerships, renewable energy, and environmental responsibility round out the conversation as we consider how economic growth can remain sustainable and community-focused.If you follow Indiana politics, state house races, Midwestern public policy, grassroots democracy, housing reform, education funding debates, healthcare access issues, or economic development strategies, this episode offers thoughtful analysis and direct insight into the future of District 29.Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, candidate conversations, and accountability-driven discussions about how to fix what isn’t working in our communities.Hashtags:#IndianaPolitics #CoumbaKebe #District29 #IndianaHouse #Noblesville #HamiltonCounty #HoosierPolitics #PoliticalInterview #AffordableHousing #EducationFunding #HealthcareAccess #WorkforceDevelopment #RenewableEnergy #PropertyTaxes #GrassrootsDemocracy

The conversation with Lasima Packett, a candidate running for the Indiana State Senate, covers a range of topics including community advocacy, education funding, affordable housing, public schools, property tax relief, transportation, healthcare, environmental protection, small businesses, state authority vs. local control, and accessibility and accountability to residents. The key takeaways from the conversation are the importance of community engagement and the need for adequate education funding.TakeawaysCommunity EngagementEducation FundingChapters00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Service06:30 Expanding Affordable Housing and Workforce Housing15:13 Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare and Mental Health Services22:14 State Authority vs. Local Control