Tyler Bridges

Tyler Bridges earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue Northwest University in 2020 and a graduate degree from Indiana University Northwest in 2026. Bridges' career experience includes working as a teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Tyler Bridges. I was born and raised in Lowell, Indiana. I graduated from Lowell High School in 2016. After high school, I attended Purdue University Northwest and graduated in 2020.

I am a father to a four year old, which is one of the most important parts of my life. Being a parent has taught me patience, responsibility, and how important it is to set a good example.

I am currently a teacher at Momence Community High School. I teach U.S. History, Sociology, and AP U.S. Government. I enjoy helping students understand how our country works and why history still matters today.

I have been a lifelong Democrat. The first time I was able to vote was in the 2016 election. I believe it is important to stay informed and take part in the democratic process.

I am also a union member. I am part of the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association. I believe unions help protect teachers and improve education for students.

Right now, I am working on earning my master’s degree in Political Science from IU Northwest. I am continuing my education because I believe learning never stops, especially as a teacher.

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?

Affordability.

Hoosier families are feeling squeezed every single day. Grocery prices are rising, childcare is becoming unaffordable, and rent and mortgage costs continue to climb. Hoosiers are being forced into impossible choices just to make ends meet. Around kitchen tables across the state, there’s real worry about heating bills, school expenses, and whether paychecks will go far enough.

No one should have to choose between paying the bills and putting food on the table. No family should worry that one unexpected expense would be the end to their stability. Yet, that’s the reality for too many. Indiana, as a whole, needs leadership that understands these struggles and is ready to act.Education:

As an educator, I believe public schools are very important to our communities. Indiana should fully fund public schools and make sure school funding increases with inflation. Taxpayer money should be used to support public schools,not sent over to the voucher system, which is not clearly accountable. Any school that uses public money should be run by locally elected school boards who must be responsible to the community as a whole. How schools spend public money should be open and easy for the public to see.

Every child from preschool through high school deserves a safe, inclusive, and well-supported public school with trained teachers who are respected and heard.Workers- Rights:

I strongly believe in expanding workers’ rights and strengthening unions. Working people deserve fair pay, good benefits, and job security. Many people who live in Indiana travel to Illinois for work because Indiana is a Right to Work state. This often means lower wages and weaker benefits. I believe that needs to change. Workers in Indiana deserve higher pay, better benefits, and stronger protections. We must support unions, protect collective bargaining, and pass laws that give workers more negotiating power and security for their families.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a candidate, and most importantly as a father, I believe Indiana should work for working families, but right now it does not. Lawmakers have said childcare is not their problem, but childcare is not charity. It is key to a strong economy. Since voucher rates were cut, over 200 programs have closed. In Porter County alone, nearly 5,000 people cannot work because they lack care. This hurts families, businesses, and our economy. I support statewide childcare and state funded preschool. Indiana has a surplus. It is time to invest in our children and our future.