Voters in Indiana House District 37 will choose between two candidates this November to represent them in the Indiana House of Representatives. The district covers a portion of Hamilton County and includes a portion of Fishers and the cities of Arcadia and Clarksville.
There are 100 members of the Indiana House of Representatives. Their job is to work alongside the governor and the Indiana State Senate to create laws and set the state budget. Their seats go up for election every two years, and in Indiana there is no limit on the number of terms a representative can serve.
WFYI opened an ongoing voter survey in May, and the most common voting issues were data center policy, affordability, and feeling disempowered.
WFYI contacted each campaign and sent a survey based on voter questions — it asked candidates for their top priorities and their positions on civic health, data centers and affordability. For candidates who did not respond, information was gathered from websites and social media for a "Top priorities" note. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Lauren Cole
Personal information provided by candidate.
Party: Democrat
Website: laurencoleforin.com
Age: 28
Occupation: Senior Coordinator at LabCorp
Residence: Fishers
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Maria Cole
- Lauren Cole (self)
- Amy Skoczlas
- Juliana Cole
- Jeff Cole
Cole accepted WFYI's invitation to take a survey. WFYI fact checked statements about publicly available data.
If elected, what are your top policy priorities?
My top priority is making Indiana affordable again for working families. That means lowering the cost of healthcare, protecting and fully funding our public schools, expanding access to affordable childcare and housing, and making sure Hoosiers can earn a living that keeps up with the cost of living.
I also believe taxpayer dollars should work for taxpayers. We should measure every corporate incentive program by whether it creates good-paying jobs and delivers a real return on investment for the people funding it.
I will also prioritize the fully funding of our public schools, and fight for fair teacher pay.
Many voters told us they don't think today's politicians listen to their constituents. Why do you think that is, and how would you address the concern?
Too many people feel like decisions are already made before the public ever has a chance to be heard. When legislation dies behind closed doors or special interests have more access than everyday Hoosiers, people understandably lose trust.
I've been out knocking doors and talking to voters because I believe listening is the most important part of this job. If elected, I'll continue holding regular town halls, community office hours, and meeting with residents across the district, not just during election season. I'll explain every vote I take and be available to anyone, regardless of party.
What is your position on data center development in Indiana?
I do not support the current expansion of large-scale data centers in Indiana. Many residents in our community have made it clear they don't want these developments, and I believe elected officials have a responsibility to listen.
My concerns are that these projects receive enormous taxpayer-funded incentives while creating relatively few permanent jobs. At the same time, they place significant demands on our electric grid, consume substantial amounts of water, and permanently change the character of the communities where they're built.*
*Editor's note: Cornell University mapped the environmental impact of data centers by state. Here is more reporting on how the national environmental footprint of AI has been "notoriously difficult to measure."
Many voters told us they struggle to afford food, housing and healthcare. If elected, how would you help them address those needs?
Affordability is the issue I hear about most at the doors. Families are working harder than ever but still feel like they're falling behind.
I'll fight to lower healthcare costs by increasing transparency and reducing unnecessary expenses that drive up premiums, while protecting access to Medicaid. I'll support policies that increase the supply of affordable housing and expand access to childcare so more parents can participate in the workforce. I'll also protect nutrition programs and strengthen our public schools because families shouldn't have to choose between groceries, rent, or their children's future.
Most importantly, I'll push for an economy where the benefits of growth are shared with the working class. When Indiana businesses succeed, I believe the people who live and work here should succeed too.
Todd Huston
Candidate did not fill out WFYI's survey.
Incumbent
Party: Republican
Website: facebook.com/tohuston
Age: 53
Occupation: Indiana State Representative, District 37
Residence: Indianapolis
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Kathy and Allan B Hubbard
- Herbert Simon
- Duke Energy Indiana LLC
- Indiana Multi Family Housing PAC
- Build Indiana
Top priorities: On the Indiana General Assembly website, Huston is said to support tax cuts, K-12 education funding, police funding and housing support. In the Indiana House of Representatives he currently serves as Speaker of the House, and as Chair of the Committee on Joint Rules.
