Every time I’ve left a political position, my goal has been to leave the team stronger than when I started.
That’s the true job — to build, mentor, and prepare the next generation to lead.
Unfortunately, in many areas of our political infrastructure, people hold onto power for too long, resist change, and fail to plan for the future. Then we wonder why our party struggles.
When I left my role at the Indiana Senate, I left behind a team I helped shape. Two former interns I had the privilege to work with later stepped into my role as Communications Director.
That’s exactly how it should be. When we invest in people and make sure that institutional knowledge is passed down rather than guarded, we grow stronger. We build a sustainable future.
We fail — and keep failing — when we don’t create a safe and supportive environment for the talent we develop. One of those bright young women who took over my former role eventually had to leave.
Not because she wasn’t capable or committed, but because the system failed to protect her. Leaders in Indianapolis, on both ends of Market Street, have consistently failed to protect staff — especially women — from harassment and abuse.
Until we confront this issue directly, we will keep losing talented people. It’s not because they don’t believe in the work, but because the system makes it impossible to stay.
This isn’t just about workplace safety; it’s a serious problem of workers’ rights and retention. It’s also tied to the larger dysfunction within our political party structure.
If you’re a political leader — an elected official, party figure, or senior staffer — and you’ve been in the game for decades without building and supporting new leadership, you’ve failed.
If you can’t point to younger leaders you’ve mentored, empowered, and helped advance — while intentionally stepping aside to make room for them — you’re not a leader; you’re an obstacle.
Donors are also part of the problem. When money continues to flow toward the same candidates and insiders, prioritizing access and loyalty over real progress and accountability, it keeps our party weak.
Funding should empower new leadership, hold elected officials accountable, and grow the party — not sustain mediocrity and protect those who enable misconduct.
We need to listen to the real leaders on the ground — the organizers in rural areas, constituency caucuses, and local communities — not just the insiders.
These people are doing the hard, necessary work, and we must value the insights they bring from those we’ve failed to reach in the past.
As we bring in new talent, we must protect them. A code of conduct means nothing if people aren’t held accountable when they violate it.
If we truly value new leadership, we need to back it up with funding, support, and real opportunities. Anything less is just talk.
The Indiana Democratic Party is struggling because we don’t focus on sustainable leadership. We hold on to the past and make the next generation fight for a place instead of welcoming them.
As long as this continues, we’ll remain stuck. Leadership isn’t about how long you’ve been in power — it’s about the legacy you leave behind. If your legacy is just your career, you’ve left nothing worth keeping.
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