When I look at Northwest Indiana, I don’t just see a district on a map. I see a place built by working people. I see factory whistles that used to mark the rhythm of the day, neighborhoods that grew around industry, and families still trying to make it all work in an economy that feels like it’s slipping further out of reach.
That’s exactly why this conversation matters.
In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Scott Houldieson, a Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 1st State Senate District, covering communities across Lake County like Highland, Griffith, Schererville, and St. John. Scott brings a background rooted in labor, as a longtime United Auto Workers member and community advocate, and he makes it clear from the start that his focus is on working families.
We dig into affordability, the squeeze between rising costs and stagnant wages, and how state policy plays a role in that pressure. We talk about property taxes, corporate influence, and whether everyday Hoosiers are being asked to carry more than their fair share.
We also get into infrastructure, environmental protection, education funding, and healthcare access, all through the lens of what these decisions actually mean for people on the ground. Not theory. Not talking points. Real-life impact.
What stood out to me in this conversation is Scott’s emphasis on shifting power back toward people, not corporations, and bringing what he calls “kitchen table sensibility” into the State House.
Whether you agree with him or not, the questions raised here are the same ones I hear across Indiana.
Who is government really working for?
Let’s get into it.
