Lindsay Church

Lindsay Church served in the U.S. Navy from 2008 to 2012. Church earned an associate degree from the Defense Language Institute in 2009, a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 2014, and a graduate degree from the University of Washington in 2016. Church's career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive director.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Lindsay Church was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Navy family and lives in Berwyn, Illinois. Church served in the United States Navy as a Persian-Farsi linguist. Their career experience includes work as a veterans' advocate and nonprofit leader focused on national security, civil and human rights, and support for military service members, veterans, and their families.

Church has worked with national advocacy organizations supporting veterans and has been involved in policy reform efforts related to military sexual assault and harassment prevention, toxic exposure affecting service members and veterans, and broader improvements to veteran services. Church has also worked with community organizations focused on civil rights and democratic participation.

Church earned an associate's degree in Persian-Farsi from the Defense Language Institute, a bachelor's degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization and Islamic Studies, and a master's degree in International Relations with a focus on the Middle East from the University of Washington.

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?

Lindsay Church is running as an Independent to expand democratic choice and accountability in government. Church entered the race after the district was left with limited options on the ballot and believes voters deserve real choices and leaders who earn support from their communities. The campaign focuses on strengthening democracy through reforms such as open primaries, ranked-choice voting, and greater transparency in government.Church supports policies that prioritize the well-being of communities, including access to affordable healthcare and the protection of civil and human rights. Church supports immigration reform rooted in dignity and humanity that keeps families together while creating a fair and workable system. The campaign emphasizes building an economy that supports working families and investing public resources in improving quality of life, including healthcare, food security, and community stabilityAs a U.S. Navy veteran and Persian-Farsi linguist, Church emphasizes responsible national security and government accountability. Church believes war should always be a last resort and supports a foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, stability, and congressional oversight of military action. Church also supports stronger support systems for veterans and military families and policies that address the long-term impacts of war on service members and their communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Church has focused on democratic reform, national security accountability, and support for veterans and military families. Their work has included advocacy on military sexual assault prevention and accountability, toxic exposure affecting service members and veterans, and reform efforts within the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Church’s international work has focused on the Middle East, particularly Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. In 2023, Church traveled to Ukraine to support knowledge sharing between U.S. and Ukrainian veterans.

Church has also supported initiatives related to mental health and suicide prevention, alternative therapies for veterans, outdoor recreation, cannabis policy, and food justice.