Q&A: Meet the Ind. Senate 21 Democratic candidates

Kirsten Root and Joe Kazlas are running for the Democratic Party nomination in Indiana Senate District 21. The incumbent is Republican Jim Buck, who has served in the Senate since 2008. Why are you running for state Senate? Kazlas Kazlas: To represent everyday people. I want to bring common sense and common decency back to state government by reflecting the views of the taxpayers in this district. Root: I am running for State Senate because my work in social services has shown me how government policies affect people’s everyday lives. I have investigated child abuse while working with the Department of Child Services and completed my practicum with the Westfield Fire Department and the IU Compassion Clinic in Indianapolis. I’ve worked with seniors, immigrants, the unhoused, and people who are uninsured or underinsured to help them access resources and build stability for themselves and their families. Through that work, I’ve seen that hard work alone doesn’t always lead to success when systems are not designed to support people. I believe our tax dollars should help communities thrive—by supporting working families, caring for the elderly and vulnerable, and investing in children. As a State Senator, I will focus on policies that strengthen communities, especially rural communities, rather than prioritizing corporate interests. What sets you apart from your opponents? Kazlas: I am a proud Navy veteran. My service does distinguish my views and allows me to better understand and empathize with veterans in the district, their families and that comprises the majority of voters. Also, I am a working class person from a working class family. Likewise I am a UAW member which helps me relate to people in the district that work to support their families. And I am just an average Joe. I am just like so many other people in the district who just want the government to help their lives and families. Root Root: What sets me apart is my background and my approach to leadership. I come from a blue-collar family and have dedicated my life to serving others through social work. That experience has shown me how often government systems fail hardworking families who are doing everything right. I’m young, curious, and willing to listen. Since starting this campaign, I’ve spent more time listening than talking because I know leadership starts with understanding people’s lived experiences. I carry the core social work values – accountability, dignity, and service – into everything I do. My goal is to meet people where they are, advocate for them, and empower communities to thrive, even when we may see the world differently. What are your top three campaign issues? Kazlas: Change. We need to break the cycle of one party control and provide a voter focused representative in the State Senate. Fiscal responsibility. We need to do a much better job of stewardship over the people’s money. Common sense and common decency. We need to return to a government that represents everyday people, not special interests or lobbyists. Root: My top three priorities are ensuring affordable health care for everyone, strengthening community safety, and expanding freedom and opportunity for all Hoosiers. What do you most want voters to know about you? Kazlas: That I am just like them. Middle class, Hoosier proud, family oriented and working hard for my family and community. I always say I am just an average Joe. Root: I can’t promise I will have the answer to every question, but I can promise to listen. I will seek out experts, review evidence, and use facts to guide my decisions. Empathy is one of my greatest strengths, paired with resilience and curiosity. Those qualities guide how I approach leadership and public service. Senate Enrolled Act 1 (2025) changed property and local income taxes, raising concerns about a 2028 ‘fiscal cliff.’ How will you navigate these budget challenges, and would you support amending the law? Kazlas: I would support amendments that will return more tax money to local units and public school corporations. Our cities cannot survive under SB1, so we need immediate relief for local units. Root: Leadership requires honesty and the courage to admit when something isn’t working. The Indiana legislature made a mistake with SEA 1 and it should be revisited. The Indiana Chronicle noted that a family with a $400,000 home may see about a $300 annual tax cut, while businesses with the same property value could see a $12,000 reduction. I support amending the law to reduce excessive business personal property exemptions, restore fiscal flexibility for local governments, and ensure stable funding for public schools and essential services. Investing in infrastructure and public services strengthens our communities and ultimately supports long-term economic growth. Regarding the Boone County LEAP project, how will you protect local water resources and balance economic development with residents’ rights? Kazlas: I support protecting the local water table and watershed and will join local initiatives dedicated to finding equitable means to use the precious resources. Growth is important, but not at a cost to local stakeholders. It occurs to me that we can strike a balance that allows us to grow economically at a rate that preserves our resources by using savings, planning and better development in unison. Root: Regarding residents’ rights, the community does not support the LEAP project. We need a pause on new data centers until basic safeguards are in place: routine water-impact reviews, stronger drainage and runoff protections, groundwater monitoring to protect domestic wells and farms, and a clear dispute-resolution process. Any upgrades needed to support data centers on the energy grid should be paid for by the companies that profit from them, not by taxpayers.Thank you again! If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I appreciate your work in keeping residents informed. Related posts: No related posts. 2026 election Share. Tumblr