Who We Are
In 2024, the Committee for Rural Engagement, a Political Action Committee (PAC), launched the Indiana Rural Summit, a tour organizing 12 House candidates representing 30 counties across south-central Indiana focused on key community issues like healthcare, housing, education, and jobs. The initiative highlighted how rural and “artificially rural” districts, shaped by gerrymandering, often isolate voters and suppress their voices in policymaking. By connecting across overlapping counties, the candidates created opportunities for collaborative, regional conversations that reflect the shared challenges rural communities face. This effort is turning the effects of gerrymandering into a strength by forming a regional coalition to uplift rural voices and address common concerns.
The Political Landscape
Indiana has been under near-total Republican control for nearly two decades, with gerrymandered districts since 2012 effectively ensuring single-party dominance and limiting real constituent representation. This lack of competition, combined with no ballot initiative process, has driven Indiana to the bottom in voter turnout rankings—50th in the nation. Despite this, the legislature continues to pursue further voter suppression efforts, like banning student IDs at the polls, further discouraging participation, especially in rural areas.
The state also suffers from low candidate turnout, with 63% of 2024 races going uncontested, leaving many voters—particularly in Republican-controlled districts—without real choices. This lack of competition distorts voter data and deters national investment in most Indiana races, reinforcing its “flyover state” status. Rural and small-town communities fare even worse, often overlooked and under-resourced, despite the fact that their legislators frequently introduce damaging legislation with national ripple effects. In this cycle of political disengagement, voters lose their voice, while harmful policy quietly gains ground.
Why This PAC Matters
Our theory of change is simple: to increase voter turnout, people need a real reason to vote—starting with having a choice on the ballot. In many rural and small-town communities, gerrymandered districts leave voters with only one party represented, creating "artificially rural" areas where key community hubs have been carved out. This fractures communities, discourages civic engagement, and leads to high rates of straight-ticket voting or disengagement altogether.
We believe the most strategic entry point to shift this landscape is the State House race. House districts often span 2–4 counties and allow for collaboration across campaigns, making them powerful vehicles for building regional momentum. By supporting cohorts of House candidates, we create mutual support systems that counter burnout, strengthen volunteer engagement, and foster long-term candidate development. Some candidates may run as “Messenger” candidates to shift narratives and build recognition, while others run to win. With three election cycles before redistricting in 2030, this approach lays the groundwork for real structural change, with the Committee for Rural Engagement supporting campaigns across multiple House districts to maximize regional impact.
