John L. Bartlett

Candidate Q&A

How do you plan to work across party lines in the Statehouse to get legislation passed, especially given the Republican supermajority?

For me, working across party lines starts with listening to find common ground. In my conversations with neighbors, families, and small business owners, I hear the same concerns regardless of political affiliation—people want to feel safe, afford their bills, and have opportunities for their children.

I carry those conversations with me into the Statehouse. I focus on building real relationships with colleagues, even when we don’t agree on everything, because trust is what gets things done. I’m not there to argue—I’m there to deliver results for the people I serve.

In your view, what was the most important issue to come out of this year’s legislative session, and how did you or would you have approached legislating the issue?

The issue I hear about the most is the rising cost of utilities. I’ve talked to parents working multiple jobs, seniors choosing between medication and groceries, and young people who don’t see a path to stable housing. That’s what drives me. Any legislation I support or introduce starts with this question: Will this make life more affordable and stable for the people in my community? If the answer is no, then we need to rethink it.

Companies proposing data centers in Indianapolis had touted jobs and local tax revenue as benefits. Residents, many of whom have fiercely opposed the proposals, are concerned about pollution, energy bills and property values. What is your stance on the future of data centers in Indianapolis?

I’ve listened closely to residents who are worried about data center developments in their neighborhoods—and those concerns are valid. People are thinking about their air, their water, their energy bills, and their property values.

I’m not against development, but I am firmly for putting people first. That means no project should move forward without honest community input and clear protections in place. If a development doesn’t respect the people who already live there, then it’s not the right fit for our city.

Indianapolis residents are facing steep increases to the cost of living at the same time federal benefits are being pulled back. What is one policy you would pursue to ease the financial burden of your constituents?

One thing I would prioritize is making housing more affordable and stable by stopping criminalizing the homeless. I’ve seen how quickly rising cost of rent can push families into crisis.

We need to invest in real solutions—more affordable housing, stronger renter protections, and oversight on rising utility costs. There are people in our community feel like they’re falling behind. That’s not acceptable to me.

More than 1 in 10 Marion County residents were born outside the country. President Donald Trump’s administration is pursuing a immigration agenda that has led to mass detentions and at times resulted in the deaths of citizens and noncitizens. What is your role in maintaining the safety and due process rights of immigrants and other residents in Marion County?

In Marion County, our immigrant neighbors are part of what makes our community strong. I’ve worked alongside families who contribute every day—raising children, working hard, and building a life here.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and to have their rights respected. I take that seriously. My role is to stand up for due process, to support access to information and resources, and to ensure policies don’t create fear that keeps people from seeking help or participating in their community.

How should public dollars be spent on education? Do you support property tax funding for charter schools? Should Indiana fund students’ tuition to attend private schools?

Education is personal to me because it shapes the future of our entire community. I believe every child—no matter their background or zip code—deserves a strong, well-funded education.

I support investing in our teachers, our classrooms, and the resources students need to succeed. While school choice is a conversation worth having, we cannot take resources away from public schools that serve the majority of our children. We have to strengthen the foundation first.