Scott Houldieson

Scott Houldieson (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Indiana State Senate to represent District 1. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running to give working families a needed voice in the Indiana State Senate. As a lifelong Lake County resident and a 37 year member of UAW Local 551 who works at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant and a union leader, I will bring a working families perspective to the State Senate. It is a perspective I know well because I live it.

I am a 25 year resident of Highland, Indiana. My wife Vicky likes to say she imported me from Griffith where I grew up. We have six children and thirteen grandchildren. Holidays are a lot of fun around the Houldieson household.

I consider myself to be an activist rather than a politician. When my union was embroiled in a corruption scandal, I helped get the corrupt officials expelled. To prevent a reoccurrence I led the effort to win direct elections for our International Officers. UAW members voted to change from the Convention Election System to the Direct Election System. We recruited, endorsed and fielded candidates for several seats on the UAW International Executive Board. All of our candidates won, including UAW International President Shawn Fain.

As a founding member of Progressive Democrats of America Calumet Region chapter we took on political issues through advocacy and direct action. We rallied, proposed resolutions and lobbied to defeat the Trans Pacific Partnership. We continue to advocate for Universal Healthcare. I believe that, in the richest nation in the history of the world, healthcare should be a human right.

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?

Working families in Indiana are being squeezed between high costs and low wages on purpose. This is because of policy decisions the supermajority has implemented to curry favor with corporate interests and Wall Street.

Utilities: NIPSCO have been granted large utility rate increases. Our state legislature can and should do more to tamp down high utility rates.

Vouchers for childcare were frozen. Many childcare providers had to close down effecting all families in need of childcare. Investments in childcare pay for themselves by increasing workforce participation.

When workers are out of work through no fault of their own, Indiana has some of the lowest unemployment benefits.

We need to increase the minimum wage to a living wage.Public schools had funds stolen from them. Between property tax cuts and school vouchers public schools are set up for failure.

SB 1 from 2025 created a property tax shortfall for all governmental units in the state, including Public Schools. Schools must compete for revenue with cities, towns, libraries etc. Public Schools are held accountable for providing quality education to all students with fewer resources to accomplish their mission.

HB 1001 from 2025 removed income limits from school vouchers. This is a clear wealth transfer of tax dollars to wealthy people who would send their children to private school without using tax dollars

School vouchers are sold as school choice, but selective enrollment gives private schools the choice.When unions are strong they raise the standard of living for the entire community. Repeal Right to Work: The so called Right to Work legislation gives workers no rights and guarantees no work. The legislation is meant to defund unions and hamstring collective bargaining rights. This law must be repealed.

Reinstate Prevailing Wage legislation:. The aim of this law is to prevent out of state contractors from coming in to an area and undercutting the prevailing wages and benefits for that area. These changes will put more money into Indiana communities, allowing small businesses to thrive.

We must improve worker safety. We must protect against wage theft and misclassification of workers as independent contractors.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about workers rights. Every worker deserves dignity, safety and respect on their jobs. We need to ensure a level playing field for businesses while providing living wages for workers.

We need to have smart sustainable plans for growth that include all stakeholder in a community in the discussion. Smart growth protects our air water and land from pollutants while providing jobs and quality of life.

We need a fair tax structure that requires everyone to pay their fair share towards supporting our communities. An infrastructure bank akin to the Bank of North Dakota would allow more of our tax dollars to remain in Indiana rather than filling the coffers of Wall Street investment bankers.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

USW District 7

UAW Region 2B

Lake County Young Democrats

UFCW Local 881 & 700

PNW Progressive Student Union

Lake County IDAAC

Progressives for Democracy in America

AFA-CWA

Senator Bernie Sanders

Indiana AFL-CIO