During a special “Portraits and Perspectives” event hosted by Progressive Indiana Network on February 21st in downtown Indianapolis, I had the chance to sit down with Sarah Shydale to talk about her campaign, her work in social services, and what motivated her to step into the political arena.
Sarah is running in a district that includes Monument Circle, stretches west toward the airport, and then reaches south and east toward Garfield Park, covering much of the near west side and close south side of Indianapolis. It’s a district that contains a wide range of communities, from dense downtown high-rises to historic single-family neighborhoods that have been part of the city for more than a century. In our conversation, we discuss what it means to represent such a diverse urban district and how a candidate can speak to the needs of residents whose daily realities may differ from one block to the next.
Sarah explains that her decision to run grew directly out of her work in social services. She continues to work for the state in social work, helping people navigate difficult circumstances and complex systems. While she says she loves that work, she also felt compelled to pursue change at a policy level, believing that real solutions often require action from those making decisions in government.
We also talk about her approach to campaigning. Rather than focusing solely on traditional political events, Sarah has committed to personally knocking on as many doors as possible across the district, particularly in areas where residents may feel overlooked or underrepresented. Her goal is to meet people directly, listen to their concerns, and ensure that working-class voices are part of the conversation.
The discussion also touches on representation, LGBTQ history and advocacy, and the importance of dignity and respect in public life. Throughout the interview, Sarah emphasizes her belief that government should work to uplift people and restore trust that public institutions can serve the community effectively.
