Destiny Wells

What makes you qualified or uniquely fit for this position?

Over the past two decades, I’ve worked at local, state, federal, and multinational levels of government. I’ve spent 23 years in the Army as an intelligence officer, including a deployment to Afghanistan, where decisions carried great consequences. I’m a U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and combat veteran. I’m also an attorney. I’ve served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Indiana and as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Indianapolis, so I’m used to working through complicated issues, focusing on facts, and holding systems to account when they fall short. But more than that — I’m not coming into this to play along with how things have always been done. I don’t take corporate PAC money, and I’m wililing to ask hard questions, even when it’s uncomfortable. I think people are ready for someone who’s independent and actually willing to challenge the system — not just manage it.

What do you believe are the top three most pressing issues in your district, and how will you address them?

The biggest thing people feel right now is the lack of affordability — housing, utilities, groceries. It’s just getting harder to keep up. I want to ensure federal dollars are helping lower costs here, not just benefiting companies that already have access. Second is the influence of money in politics. Peope can feel that decisions aren’t being made with them in mind. I don’t take corporate PAC money, and I think that matters if you’re serious about putting people first. And third, it’s how we prioritize funding. We have resources, but too often they go to the same places and players already in the room. We need to be more intentional about directing investments into communities that actually need them — whether that’s housing, infrastructure, or neighborhood-level support — so that people can see and feel the impact where they live.

What is your stance on how the federal government is handling immigration enforcement?

Right now, it’s not working the way it should. We’ve built an approach that leans heavily on enforcement but hasn’t kept up the pace on the legal and humanitarian side — and that’s created a system that feels inconsistent, overwhelmed, and at times, unjust. We need to be honest about that and be willing to make structural changes. That includes reforming the Department of Homeland Security, so it actually functions in a coordinated, accountable way. And it means taking a hard look at ICE as it exists today — I support abolishing ICE in its current form and rebuilding enforcement in a way that is more transparent, more accountable, and more consistent with our laws and values. We can have a secure border and a fair system at the same time. That means modernizing how we process cases, reducing backlogs, and creating lawful pathways that reflect reality — not continuing with a system that isn’t delivering for anyone.

Many residents are concerned about the cost of food, housing, and health care. How would you address these concerns?

People feel like they’re doing everything right and still falling behind — and that’s not by accident. Costs are up, but so is consolidation. Fewer companies have more control, and people are paying the price for it every day. On housing, we treat this as the supply-and-access issue it is. That means building more, yes — but also pushing back on private equity firms buying up homes and driving up prices in neighborhoods where people are just trying to get a foothold. Home ownership shouldn’t be competing with Wall Street. On health care, people shouldn’t have to ration medication or avoid care because of cost. We need to continue lowering prescription drug prices, expand access, and create real competition so people aren’t stuck with limited, expensive options. And when it comes to food, we need to be honest about what’s happening in the market. When a handful of coroprations control production and distribution, prices don’t just rise — they stay high. The federal government has a responsbility to enforce competition laws and ensure that these markets work for consumers. This isn’t about one policy fix — it’s about changing who the system is working for. Right now, it’s working for those who influence it in backroom deals. My focus is making sure it starts working for the people who feel it most.

If you win, how can Marion County constituents expect their lives to improve?

People should actually feel the difference. That starts with having someone who shows up, returns calls, follows through, and treats helping constituents like a basic part of the job —not an afterthought. When people are dealing with federal agencies, they shouldn’t feel stuck trying to figure it out on their own. And beyond that, it matters where the money actually goes. I want federal dollars showing up in ways people can see in their day-to-day lives — stable housing, infrastructure that works, job pathways that lead somewhere. Not just the same projects that always get funded, but real investment in neighborhoods that have been passed over. It also means being a voice that’s willing to push back. If policies are driving up costs here, I’m going to say it — and work to fix it. If systems aren’t delivering, I’m not going to defend them; I’m going to challenge them. I want to make people feel less squeezed, more supported and more represented.