J. D. Ford

Ford grew up with a union truck driver father and a mother who managed assisted living services.¹ His grandfather served on a city council, while his grandmother was a city auditor.² He lives with his dog, Stella, and a cat named Sir Aaron Purr, and enjoys reading and sports.¹

He was the first generation of his family to graduate from college.² He earned a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Akron and a master's in education at Purdue University Northwest.³.⁴ His work has included nonprofit service and substitute teaching before running for office.¹.⁵

First elected to Indiana's Senate in 2018, Ford became the first openly LGBTQ member of the General Assembly.³.¹ He has served as minority caucus chair and whip, with ranking Democratic roles on education, veterans and family committees.¹ His state legislative proposals have included insulin price caps and measures addressing maternal mortality.²

Ford is now the Democratic challenger to Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz in Indiana's 5th District.⁶ His platform calls for restoring Medicaid funding, protecting reproductive rights and limiting corporate purchases of homes.⁵ He has also proposed requiring data center developers to disclose water and electricity needs before local permits are issued, and favors greater community control over those projects.⁷