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Tyler Bridges for District 11 on Facebook
In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Bridges, a 28-year-old teacher and father running for Indiana State House District 11 in Northwest Indiana. Tyler shares his journey from being politically disengaged to becoming a candidate inspired by his four-year-old son and his frustration with the direction of the state. We discuss the unique geography of his district—which spans the rural southern parts of Lake and Porter counties into the agricultural heartland of Jasper and Newton counties—and his 82-year-old incumbent opponent Mike Aylesworth, who has been largely absent from the community. Tyler lays out his three major platform planks: affordability (particularly addressing NIPSCO’s high utility rates), education (opposing the expansion of school vouchers and fighting for public school funding), and workers’ rights (advocating for union protections, fair wages, and benefits that Illinois workers enjoy just across the border). Throughout our conversation, Tyler makes the case that Indiana’s Republican supermajority has the power to fix these problems but chooses to serve corporate donors instead of everyday Hoosiers.
IN THE INTERVIEW
00:00:22 - Show Introduction
• Scott introduces Tyler Bridges, candidate for Indiana State House District 11 in Northwest Indiana
00:02:56 - Welcoming Tyler Bridges
• Tyler joins the show
• Scott shares his Northwest Indiana roots and familiarity with the region
00:03:41 - Getting to Know Tyler
• Tyler introduces himself as a proud Hoosier running for State House District 11
• District includes Cedar Lake, Lowell, Hebron, Wheatfield, DeMott, Rose Lawn, Shelby, Schneider, Morocco, and surrounding areas
00:04:14 - The “Easy Dubs” - Who, What, When, Where
• Scott walks through the journalism basics
• Tyler has no primary opponent but faces entrenched incumbent in November
00:04:56 - The Layout of District 11
• North of US-30: basically Chicago (pavement as far as the eye can see)
• South of US-30: essentially Alabama (very rural and agricultural)
• District covers rural southern Lake/Porter counties plus northern Jasper/Newton counties
00:07:30 - Why Tyler Is Running for Office
• 28 years old with a four-year-old son who inspired him to run
• Loves Indiana but won’t leave despite problems
• Key concerns: NIPSCO’s high electric bills, son’s public education needs, protecting workers’ rights as a union man
00:10:05 - The 82-Year-Old Incumbent Problem
• Mike Aylesworth hasn’t been out in community, no social media presence
• At 82, out of touch with what younger generations need from government
• Fuels voter apathy when old people make decisions and aren’t responsive
00:13:02 - Teaching Civic Engagement to Combat Apathy
• Tyler teaches AP Civics and U.S. History, recently registered 20+ students
• Students see old people deciding and think “it doesn’t matter”
• Connecting with people across political backgrounds is crucial
00:16:23 - Historical Parallels: FDR Era and Today
• FDR’s responsiveness (fireside chats) vs. current rep’s absence
• Every four generations: major upheaval (WWII/Depression, Civil War, Revolution)
• Haven’t declared war since WWII—mind-blowing to students
00:19:00 - Political Realignment in Progress
• Isolationism vs. interventionism debate across political spectrum
• Parties shifting axes of opposition (economic to cultural in 1960s, now shifting again)
• Tyler’s grandfather was FDR Democrat; grew up thinking we were making progress
00:22:35 - Culture Wars Fueled by Economic Inequality
• Republicans and Democrats weren’t so far apart socially in Obama era
• Wealthy oligarchs have taken wealth over 40-50 years, people are hurting
• When hurting, people blame immigrants/minorities instead of corporate donors
• Gilded Age parallels: nativism, wealth concentration—middle class getting screwed regardless of party
00:26:41 - Tyler’s Three Big Platform Proposals
00:26:57 - #1: Affordability
• Indiana’s job growth is 49th in the country
• Republicans have supermajority but won’t address rising costs
• Tyler’s utility bill: $300/month with $100 delivery fee alone
00:29:43 - #2: Education - The Great Equalizer
• Indiana ranks bottom 10 for per-child education spending
• 70% of voucher recipients never attended public school
• Removing income cap means millionaires can get vouchers
00:33:01 - #3: Workers’ Rights
• Tyler works in Illinois for union protections, better pay, untaxed pension
• Indiana minimum wage still $7.25, no mandated sick/family leave
• “Don’t be a scab—protect workers”
00:36:05 - How the Three Issues Connect
• All relate to Republican legislators serving corporate donors
• Utility companies and private school lobbies prioritized over everyday Hoosiers
• Intertwined problems requiring breaking the supermajority
00:38:37 - The Voucher System Doesn’t Work
• Arizona’s universal vouchers not improving outcomes, blowing hole in budget
• Lower-income families can’t access private schools (transportation, logistics)
• Rural areas have no school choice—charters only open where population density supports profits
00:41:05 - Private Schools Cherry-Pick Students
• Can deny kids with IEPs or 504 plans, don’t need special ed teachers
• Only kids left in public schools would be struggling students and underprivileged
• Then Republicans ask “why are test scores so low?”
00:43:39 - What Public Schools Actually Need
• Funding, modernization, reworking standards, eliminating teach-to-test approach
• Students need digital literacy and critical thinking skills
• No Democratic voice supporting public schools for 8 years has caused the problem
00:46:40 - Blue Collar vs. White Collar Union Divide
• Teachers/government unions vs. traditional blue collar unions
• Bears stadium example: short-term construction jobs vs. long-term thinking
• Many blue collar union workers vote Republican despite benefiting from union protections
00:49:13 - Culture Wars Over Economic Interests
• Tyler’s UAW family members are Republicans
• Republicans walk in Labor Day parade despite being anti-union
• Culture war issues trump economic solidarity
00:52:00 - Building Class Solidarity Takes Time
• No quick fixes or simple slogans—takes infrastructure and consistency
• Need Democrats on ballot every year, showing up, having conversations
• Tyler’s Republican best friend example: find common ground in daily life
00:54:38 - Meeting People Where They Are
• Gun issue: Tyler will go shooting but wants responsible ownership laws
• Fish fry politics: “Where’s your state rep? When’s last time you seen him?”
• One conversation at a time, doesn’t happen overnight
00:56:14 - Campaign Information and Closing
• Facebook: Tyler Bridges for Indiana State House District 11
• Instagram, X, TikTok: Bridges4D11
• Donate via ActBlue linked on all socials
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