Cindi Clayton

Cindi Clayton earned a high school diploma from Union High School and a graduate degree from the University of Southern Indiana in 2014. Her career experience includes working as an instructor.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Cindi has been a public servant for 20 years, working in human resources and then teaching full-time. She has served Holly’s House for 11 years and is currently the board chair. Along with the rest of the board and the staff, services for children and families experiencing abuse have expanded during this time. Cindi wants to bring this passion for the wellbeing of children to the state house.

Cindi is descended from 3 generations of union coal miners and she strongly believes that labor unions are good for the next generation of workers to find meaning and belonging in their careers.

Cindi is the product of great Indiana public schools and understands first-hand how a high-quality public education changes futures.

Most importantly to her, Cindi is the mother of 3 and is married to her best friend. In her spare time, she likes to read, go for long motorcycle rides, watching her kids do what they love, and listening to music.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Lowering Utility Costs by Fighting the Utility MonopolyRestoring Funding to Public SchoolsRepresenting District Residents With Transparency and Respect

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Safety of Children

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Vaneta Becker, Diana Moers, James Talerico, Brene Brown, Taylor Swift, MacKenzie Besos

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A public servant should do as the majority of their constituents request, not advancing their own personal ideologies and corporate interests.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Honesty, transparency, relevant work experience, excellent communication skills.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I have served Holly's House for the last 11 years. My legacy there is serving more children with more services, thus healing more of the next generation with that work. I'd like to do the same good work at the state level - leaving District 49 in better condition than when I arrived to serve it.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

After the coal mine shut down, my dad bought a hardware store. I began working in it when I was 13 in 1990. I know how to do a lot of basic maintenance myself as a result. As soon as I turned 16, I got other part-time jobs at grocery stores and restaurants. I've never not worked since I was 13.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My mother died when I was 13. Growing up and navigating life without my mother has been difficult. Also, I was pregnant as a teenager and placed my son for adoption. By far the hardest thing I ever had to do. He found me when he was 22 and we have been blessed with a beautiful relationship ever since. Sometimes, I felt like the grief of losing my mother and my son might be too much to bear, but I learned a lot about grit and determination by putting one foot in front of the other and continuing forward.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Separation of powers is essential to our democracy. While we should have a respectful and professional relationship with our governor, the legislature is not in the business of doing his or her bidding. I have the utmost respect for the senators who voted against our overreaching governor and US president on redistricting, listening instead to their constituents.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

20 years of a republican supermajority has drained our public schools which are the foundation of our communities. Those same years of supermajority have funneled the vast majority of Indiana wealth to the Indiana 1%. It's going to take time to undo this damage and give Hoosier taxpayers their money's worth in services rather than funneling their money to corporate overlords.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Of course it is. Adherence to the constitution is the key non-negotiable. If we truly have the desires of our constituents in mind and not the will of the corporate interests that give campaign money and lobbyist gifts, we should be able to easily find common ground.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Challenger shuttle explosion.