During Progressive Indiana Network’s special Portraits and Perspectives event in downtown Indianapolis on February 21st, I sat down with Austin Meives, candidate for Indiana Statehouse District 23, which includes Miami and Cass counties. What followed was a candid, wide-ranging conversation about power, progress, and what leadership should look like in this political moment.
We began by discussing whether prior government experience is an asset or a liability. Austin offered a nuanced take: experience can build relationships that help move legislation forward, but those same relationships can also grease the wrong wheels. It set the tone for a broader discussion about transparency and accountability in state government.
We explored labels, too. Austin addressed what it means to be called a progressive and how he defines moving forward without being trapped by the past. When asked about being labeled a socialist, his response centered on fundamentals: clean air, safe drinking water, affordable healthcare, and housing stability. For him, the fight is less about left versus right and more about top versus bottom—about economic systems that concentrate wealth while too many Hoosiers struggle to meet basic needs.
The conversation also turned personal. We talked about leadership models, including Jimmy Carter’s post-presidency service, and the importance of humility in public life. Austin described himself as a worker—someone who fixes problems methodically, like tightening bolts before replacing entire systems.
This discussion was not just about policy positions. It was about philosophy, power structures, and what kind of future Indiana is building. At its core, it asked a simple question: who does government truly work for—and how do we make it work better?
