Why I am running for Congress to represent IN-9:

Our healthcare system is too difficult to navigate, and the price we pay for it does not equal the value we get out of it. Key drugs are in short supply, waiting rooms are full, clinicians are burnt out and short staffed, and the experience is overall usually quite poor. We can do better by adjusting the way we incentivize our system to be not just about money but about patient experience and quality outcomes. 

As a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who has treated thousands of patients and now a candidate for Congress one of the most common questions that I am asked is my stance on reproductive health care and, since the overturning of Roe V. Wade, specifically about a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health choices. 

On this matter let me be crystal clear - I do not believe the government should regulate a woman’s reproductive health choices. As a doctor who has treated patients - women, men, and children - who have been raped and abused the thought of asking a patient to carry their rapist’s child is abhorent. Additionally, I have been with patients whose health and lives were put at risk by a complication from a pregnancy and at no time did I believe that a consultation with an elected official was needed before administering life-saving care.  

In Vitro Fertilization is nothing short of a medical miracle that has helped millions of people around the globe fulfill their dream of starting a family, becoming parents, and becoming grandparents. As someone who has delivered dozens of babies and who just became a new father myself, I am in total agreement with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists when they said the attacks on IVF unjustly and unfairly denies individuals the right to utilize safe, effective, and proven medical care. As a member of Congress I will work to ensure Indiana and other states cannot criminalize or interfere with IVF treatments and stop Hoosiers from starting a family.

Economic empowerment in our district is crucial. I will focus on targeted economic development initiatives, prioritizing job creation, skills training, and supporting local businesses, including small local and regional banks. I have a long history of building and financing innovative high-growth businesses, and will use those skills to make sure IN-9 benefits from federal grants and programs.

Our border and our immigration systems are broken and Americans deserve better. Border security and immigration are the responsibility of the federal government and will require both parties to come together and accomplish reform - because failing to act, or acting solely for performative politics - is criminally neglectful. I support the recent efforts to pass a bipartisan border security bill that would hire 1,300 border patrol agents, 375 immigration judges, 1,600 asylum officers, and supply over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect and stop fentanyl at our southwest border. Failing to address this crisis in a bipartisan manner and kicking the can down the road is only going to put more people’s lives in danger and help flood our streets with more misery in the form of more fentanyl. We also need to always remember that we are talking about our fellow human beings. I do not believe that razor wire, and other measures designed to injure or even kill, should be placed in a way that leaves mothers and children drowning - it's inhumane and we are better than that as Americans.

Our farmers, the backbone of our community, need policies that strengthen farming. I am committed to addressing issues such as fair trade practices, subsidies, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Workers' rights are non-negotiable. Unlike our current representative, who sits on a federal committee to weaken unions, I will stand up for fair labor practices. I will fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and job security for the hardworking men and women in our district.

Education is a cornerstone of progress, but college is not the answer for all people. Sometimes we forget that. Every life path is different: education doesn’t have an age or a social class. We must invest in a path for Hoosiers of all ages to become plumbers, electricians, carpenters and farmers, just as much as we do for people to become doctors, lawyers and IT workers. I am committed to advocating for increased funding and strategic investments in all types of educational programs. 

Every child deserves to have their shot at success. Children who are enrolled early in childcare are better prepared for kindergarten and are more likely to graduate high school. Supporting early childhood education for all will ensure a strong start for every child in our community, allow working families to earn their due wages, and directly contribute to a stronger economy.

Tax reform is necessary to ensure economic equality. I will champion policies that ensure the wealthy contribute their fair share, emphasizing a balanced tax system that promotes fairness and opportunity for all. I have a specific plan to reduce costs of healthcare and in turn avoid additional taxes on the middle class.

Furthermore, fighting poverty is a moral imperative. I will focus on targeted policies addressing education, job creation, and social support programs to lift our community members out of poverty. As the son of a man who built homeless shelters for a living, I understand the importance of helping the less fortunate.

Public safety is paramount. I will advocate for responsible gun ownership and support law enforcement with the necessary funds and resources. This includes providing resources for mental-health-related crises, such as social workers and case managers, to ensure a comprehensive and compassionate approach to public safety. It also means continuing to fight the opioid crisis through federally supported prevention and recovery programs.

Internationally, I recognize our role in aiding the less fortunate worldwide who share our beliefs in a strong and free democracy. This involves creating stability and promoting social justice for all people globally, no matter where they live. I will support engaging in dialogue and seeking common ground with all nations to build a safer and more free world.