Service Isn’t Partisan
Meet Kirsten
Public Servant | Social Worker | Lifelong Indiana Resident
I was raised in LaPorte and Rochester in a working-class family where hard work and responsibility were non-negotiable. I worked full-time through college to make ends meet and became the first person in my family to earn a master’s degree in Social Work. My career has meant sitting with families in crisis and partnering with community systems, including public safety and healthcare, to connect people to support before a situation becomes an emergency. I studied in Indianapolis and now call Sheridan home. I’m running because Indiana needs practical, compassionate leadership rooted in real life. My campaign is about listening, showing up, and working together to strengthen our community.
Accountability, Dignity, and Service
Ethical leadership means putting people before politics and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. As a social worker, I am trained and bound by a professional code of ethics that emphasizes integrity, dignity, service, and responsibility to the community. These principles will guide how I approach policy, relationships, and accountability in public office.
Service: Help people in need and address social problems
Living a life of service is showing up for people when no one is watching, no matter how hard, inconvenient, or unglamorous it can be. As a legislator, I will:
Prioritize policies that meet everyday needs like housing stability, healthcare access, public safety, and economic security
Stay connected to the people most impacted by policy decisions, not just lobbyists
Continue hands-on community involvement and service, even when holding public office
Measure success by outcomes for families and communities
Dignity and Worth of a Person: Respect every individual
Every person deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of income, background, identity, or circumstance. As a legislator, I will:
Listen first and approach policy with empathy and humility
Support solutions that empower people to make informed choices about their own lives
Reject dehumanizing rhetoric or policies that punish people for being poor, sick, or vulnerable
Balance individual needs with community well-being in a thoughtful, responsible way
Importance of Human Relationships: Build and support trust and partnership
Positive changes come from lasting relationships, not top-down decisions. As a legislator, I will:
Work collaboratively across party lines, professions, and communities
Engage constituents as partners, not passive recipients of policy
Strengthen partnerships between governments, nonprofits, healthcare, and public safety entities
Stay accessible, responsive, and grounded in the community I serve
Integrity: Behave in a trustworthy manner
Integrity is doing the right thing, no matter how difficult or unpopular it is. As a legislator, I will:
Be transparent about my decisions and accountable to the public
Avoid conflicts of interest and uphold ethical standards consistently
Speak honestly with constituents, even when the answers are complex
Promote ethical practices within government and public institutions
Competence: Lead with knowledge and commit to continuous learning
Good intentions aren’t enough. I don’t know everything. When I don’t know something, I take the time to understand the issue and lean on experts. As a legislator, I will:
Use evidence-based research and lived experience to inform policy
Continue professional development and learning throughout my time in office
Seek expert input and community feedback when crafting legislation
Adapt and improve policies when data or outcomes show a need for change
Social Justice: Challenge social injustice and expand opportunity
Social justice is about fairness, access, and ensuring the system works for everyone, not just those with power or privilege. As a legislator, I will:
Advocate for policies that reduce poverty, discrimination, and economic instability
Work to remove barriers that prevent people from accessing services, education, and employment
Ensure affected communities have a voice in the decisions that impact them
Support data-driven, equitable solutions that strengthen opportunity across Indiana