Voters in Indiana Senate District 21 will choose between two candidates this November to represent them in the Indiana Senate. The district includes all of Tipton County and portions of Howard and Hamilton counties. It includes the cities of Westfield, Kokomo and Tipton.
Incumbent Sen. James Buck (R) lost the Republican primary to Tracey Powell.
There are 50 members of the Indiana Senate. Their job is to work alongside the governor and the Indiana House of Representatives to create laws and set the state budget. They serve four-year terms, and in Indiana there is no limit on the number of terms a senator 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.
Tracey Powell
Candidate did not fill out WFYI's survey.
Party: Republican
Website: powellforindiana.com
Age: Not verified
Occupation: Chiropractor, farmer, small business owner
Residence: Tipton
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Ward Stone Tipton Quarry LLC
- A Keith Rose
- Philip Haehl
- Jody Pierce
- Terry Baker
Top priorities: On his website, Powell says he supports strengthening the economy, investment in infrastructure, and providing support for rural families. He says he prioritizes tax cuts, support for small businesses, access to quality education, and accessible and affordable healthcare.
Kirsten Root
Personal information provided by candidate.
Party: Democrat
Website: rootforindiana.org
Age: 29
Occupation: Social worker
Residence: Sheridan
Top donors (via Transparency USA):
- Evelyn Davis
- Amanda Kelly
- Joe Mrozinske
- Yasmine Walker
- Joshua Lowry
Root 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 creating greater stability for working families. That means lowering everyday costs by holding monopoly utilities accountable, expanding access to affordable childcare and healthcare, supporting paid family and medical leave, raising wages, and addressing the rising cost of housing.
I will also fight to fully fund our public schools and essential local services. Public dollars should support public schools, including educators, special education, transportation, mental health services, and support staff. Our communities also need dependable funding for roads, libraries, first responders, child safety, and services that address problems before they become emergencies.
Finally, I will work to make state government more accountable to the people who fund it. That includes greater transparency, stronger oversight of public spending, ending wasteful corporate giveaways, protecting voting rights, and reducing the influence of wealthy donors and special interests. Hoosiers are paying in, and they deserve a government that pays out where it matters most.
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?
I think voters feel unheard because politicians only show up when they need something and then decisions are made behind closed doors. I would address this by being consistently present and accessible throughout the district, not just during election season. I would hold regular public meeitings, visit communities throughout the district, respond to consistuent concerns, and seek input from residents, local officials, educators, workers, small businesses, and service providers before aking major decisions. I would also explain my votes clearly, including when people disagree with them.
What is your position on data center development in Indiana?
I would not oppose data centers if there are strong protections for residents, taxpayers, utilities, water supplies, farmland, and personal privacy. Before a project is approved, developers should be required to disclose expected water and energy use, infrastructure needs, permanent jobs, wages, tax revenue, and any public incentives they are requesting. Independent impact studies should determine whether a project could raise utility rates, strain local water supplies, or require taxpayers to fund roads, power infrastructure, or other services. Data centers should pay the full cost of the infrastructure and energy capacity they require rather than shifting those expenses onto families and small businesses. I would also prioritize existing industrial sites, brownfields, and previously developed land over productive farmland. Projects involving sensitive data should undergo meaningful privacy and civil-liberties review. Public incentives should not support warrantless mass surveillance, unlawful data collection, or systems that allow corporations or government agencies to track people without transparency, oversight, and due process. Companies should also be required to maintain strong cybersecurity protections and explain how sensitive information will be stored, shared, and protected. Data center development should move forward only when it provides a clear, enforceable benefit to the surrounding community and protects the people who live there.
Many voters told us they struggle to afford food, housing and healthcare. If elected, how would you help them address those needs?
Too many Hoosiers are working hard and still struggling to afford basic needs. I would address that by focusing on both household costs and the wages families rely on. To reduce food insecurity, I would support higher wages, universal school meals, stronger local food programs, and easier access to benefits for families who qualify. No child should struggle to learn because they are hungry, and no family should have to choose between groceries and another essential bill. On housing, I would expand affordable housing, strengthen protections against sudden and excessive rent increases, and provide property-tax relief targeted toward working families, seniors, and people with fixed incomes. I would also support the development and preservation of housing that people can actually afford. For healthcare, I would work to expand Indiana's HIP program into an affordable public coverage option, lower prescription-drug costs, invest in mental health and reproductive healthcare, and make sure people can access care before a problem becomes an emergency. Ultimately, families need wages that reflect the real cost of living and a government that uses public dollars to make essential services more affordable, accessible, and dependable.
