Kirsten Root

Kirsten Root earned a high school diploma from La Porte High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in Indianapolis in 2021 and another degree from Indiana University in Indianapolis in 2025. Her career experience includes working as a social worker.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am currently a resident of Sheridan; but grew up in LaPorte, IN. I grew up in a blue-collar family that taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and community. I was the first in my family to earn a Master's Degree (Social Work). In undergrad, I completed an internship with Andre Carson after being inspired by Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign. During my MSW program, I completed my practicums with the Westfield Fire Department and the IU Compassion Clinic. At Westfield Fire, I worked with the community paramedic to reduce 911 utilization through preventive services. At IU, I worked with people to secure housing, clothing, food, and other essential services. I also earned several grants, strengthened the social work program, and provided education for community members.

The majority of my career has been investigating child abuse and neglect with DCS. While there, I saw families working against systems that have been starved over time, to the point that they no longer empower the community. During grad school, I worked with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department and the Coroner's Office to develop proposals for social work integration. However, following SEA1 (2025), funding for first-response services was slashed.

I am running for office because the government's role is to honor the rights given to us by the Constitution, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure citizens have equitable opportunities not only to survive but to thrive.

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?

Ensure Healthcare is Accessible and Affordable for ALL Hoosiers: Currently, 52% of rural Indiana does not provide labor and delivery services and only 42% provide 24/7 advanced life support. As of 2025, 23 coin ties are maternal healthcare deserts leading to preterm births, infant mortality, birth defects, and lack of prenatal care. In 2025, visits to the ER rose to 16.8% while the nation's average is only 1.4%. As a legislator, I will fight for a public healthcare option to offer cheaper, and more effective, healthcare across the state. I will ensure public funding to localities to guarantee hospitals and medical workers are able to provide life-saving services, and preventative services, to the community.End Corporate Greed and Strengthen the Work Force: Since 1986, Indiana has given $21,824,280,892 in subsidies to corporations with Amazon receiving the most ($8,388,495,318). I will collaborate with communities to amplify community needs and priorities over those of corporate interests. This includes legislation that raises the minimum wage, abolishes “Right to Work”, further defines small businesses, and funds programs (childcare, public education, etc.) that allow workers to have full lives outside of work without worrying about how they’ll take care of their family. This also includes returning power to local governments so they can make decisions about renter rights, township support, and things like data centers.Invest in Hoosier Safety and Opportunity: Private prisons do not save the state money or provide better services. They do, however, spend millions of dollars lobbying for punitive justice policies over rehabilitation efforts to increase reliance on prisons. As a legislator, I will support legislation that phases out private prisons, funds reentry support and services, decriminalizes activities related to poverty, and supports first responders. This includes integrating social workers into first response to support evidence based preventative and rehabilitative services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public policies that support people who want to be contributing members of society, protect vulnerable populations, and safeguard democracy and basic human rights. We have worked hard as a species to make things easier, and deserve to live with the fruits of that labor. I am advocating for policies that:

Provide universal healthcare, daycare, and education

End the war on drugs

Support veterans, disabled people, the homeless, and other vulnerable populations

Guarantee Women and LGBTQIA+ Rights

Remove money from politics

Support unions, provide dignified wages, and provide guaranteed PTO

Return power to the local government

Prioritize first responders, preventative services, and save taxpayers' money