top of page

Healthcare

3.67

Economics

4.00

Candidate Name

J.D. Ford

District

Indiana US House District 5

Values
Grade
Values
Party

Democrat

Experience

Challenger

Grade

Democracy

3.67

Accessibility

4

Governance

3

Cost

Choice

3

4

Freedom

Voting

4

4

Community

3.33

MADVoters logo

A

Overall Grade 

Education

4.00

Affordability

Equity

Opportunity

4

4

4

Environment

Public Safety

Inclusion

3

4

3

Stability

Funding

Belonging

4

4

4

Notable Information

2026 MVP logo.png

Candidate Name

Candidate for:

Indiana US House District 5

Democrat

Challenger

Notable Information

J.D. Ford's Contact Information

Facebook
Instagram
X link

Sources

Reference links

MADVoters Survey Responses

Healthcare: The Big Beautiful Bill is projected to cut $31 billion from Indiana’s Medicaid funding, including almost $13 billion in hospital funding, over the next decade. What will you do if elected to ensure healthcare affordability and access given these changes? (Source: Indiana Hospital Association)

Affordability for Hoosiers is one of the top three priorities for my campaign. HR 1 made devastating cuts to healthcare coverage and access. In Congress I will fight to undo this damage and pass meaningful policy to ensure affordable healthcare, including:

Fight to restore and protect Medicaid funding.

Restore the ACA health insurance premiums.

Champion policies to keep rural hospitals open.

Protect reproductive freedom to ensure every woman is in charge of her own health care decisions.

Support a public health option.

Economics: AI and data centers are having a huge impact on jobs and communities across the nation, particularly in Indiana. What is Congress’s role in addressing this developing technology? What action will you take to hear and represent the concerns of Hoosiers on this topic?

Economics: Dozens of AI data centers are planning to come to Indiana, drawn by the state’s “business-friendly” reputation. How should Indiana manage these large industrial site proposals and their potential impact on communities? (Source: Citizens Action Coalition)

I have already been meeting with constituents regarding AI and data centers in the Fifth Congressional District. Communities are concerned about the effects data centers will have on their untility bills, access to clean water, noise and light pollution, and over all quality of life. While I was a State Senator, I offered bills to require data center transparency for Hoosiers. The bill required data center developers to reveal the name of the operating/ownership company, the amount of water and electricity they would use, and any needed infrastructure construction. I also supported initiatives to repeal the 50 year tax breaks for data centers. These are all policies that would be appropriate for Congress to pass, and I will be fighting for these consumer-first policies in D.C.

Education: Describe your stance on the Department of Education and its role in education administration, funding, and protections for students with disabilities. 

Education: Since 2012, Indiana has spent over $5.5 billion in taxpayer dollars on charter schools and the private school voucher program. If elected, would you support or oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to funding private schools and charter schools? Why or why not? (Source: ICPE

The Department of Education has a critical role in providing vital resources and guidance to states and schools. DOE must be adequately funded and staffed with qualified education professionals to ensure all children have access to a quality education no matter where they live. This includes administering and overseeing programs to provide students with disabilities the services they need to succeed in school.

As an Indiana State Senator, I served as the Ranking Minority Member for the Education and Career Development Committee. This gave me the opportunity to champion policies to fully fund public education, demand accountability for voucher schools, implement universal pre-k, require employers to give parents time off to attend school meetings, increase teacher pay, ensure adequate mental health services for students, and protect the civil rights of all school children. It is these educational priorities that I will take with me to Washington.

Democracy: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge or threat facing our democracy right now? If elected, what will you do to help overcome this challenge or threat?

I think the biggest threat to democracy is a complete breakdown of separation of powers resulting in a rogue president that is trampling on the constitutional rights of Americans, wreaking economic havoc and destroying respected international treaties and relationships. Congress must reclaim oversight and stop ignoring the will and rights of the people. After eight years building relationships with constituents while in the Statehouse, I know that without strict Constitutional oversight and voter protections, the government ceases to serve the citizens and begins serving only itself. Constitutional rights are not suggestions. When the Trump administration and federal agencies use executive orders to bypass Congressional approval, they aren't “streamlining government,” they are eroding the checks and balances that protect every Hoosier.

If elected, I will prioritize returning voter voices to government. I will vote to restore the protections in the Voting Rights Act to ensure that racial and ethnic minorities have equal access to the ballot box, free from intimidation or suppression. I will support expanding voting hours, same day voting registration and secure vote by mail policies. Making sure Americans have full access to their right to vote is one of the most important steps to restoring a stable democracy.

I also will propose legislation to prevent rogue presidents from implementing and funding actos of war without Congressional approval. I will support efforts to ensure federal agencies cannot re-purpose taxpayer money beyond what Congress has approved. If an agency wants to expand its reach, it must first face a public debate and a vote on the House floor. I will vote against spending bills that hide funding for agencies that refuse to comply with Congressional subpoenas or oversight requests.

Community: Describe your stance on ICE and its role in immigration enforcement and detention.

Community: What role or responsibility do local and state governments have with regards to immigration enforcement? 

While in the Indiana Senate I vehemently opposed detention centers opening in Indiana and legislation to require local law enforcement to work with immigration officials, demand agencies turn over Medicaid application information to the Department of Homeland Security, and make schools enforcement targets. ICE agents have inflicted egregious harm on individuals, families and communties, and must face accountability for their actions. In Congress, I will support closing detention centers, restoring resources and stability to our programs for asylum seekers and refugees, and repealing the law that turns local law enforcement into immigration officials. I want to see ICE fundamentaly reformed, with requirements to successfully complete deescalation training, bans on wearing masks, body camera policies, and third party accountability for acts of excessive force. I support returning to the former U.S. policy of targeting violent offenders for immigration action while giving famiies who are here peacefully seeking a better life paths to citizenship.

bottom of page