J.D. Ford
IN-05 Democratic nominee?
$19.5K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age43 years old (Nov 6, 1982)
GenderMale
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LocationIndiana
BackgroundIndiana State Senator
EducationUniversity of Akron — B.S. (Political Science and Criminal Justice)
Notable personal detailsJames (J.D.) David Ford is a Democratic politician serving in the Indiana Senate representing District 29 (parts of Carmel, Indianapolis, and Zionsville) and is a candidate for U.S. House in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. He was elected to the state senate in 2018 and has worked in higher education and nonprofit leadership roles. He earned a B.S. from the University of Akron and a master’s degree in education from Purdue University. He has been noted as the first openly LGBTQ+ member elected to the Indiana General Assembly.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports making the tax code more equitable and simplifying it to prevent windfall benefits for the wealthiest, and favors federal action to lower costs for families (healthcare/prescription caps) while opposing budget choices that prioritize tax cuts or vouchers over education and healthcare funding. Emphasizes corporate accountability to reduce living costs and advocates directing public funds toward schools and healthcare rather than tax giveaways.
Healthcare
Supports government-guaranteed universal healthcare and policies to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs; supports protecting access to gender-affirming care and expanded public coverage options.
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Immigration & Border
J.D. Ford has opposed state measures that would require local agencies to comply with federal ICE detainer requests and has argued such mandates burden local public safety and taxpayers. He filed amendments expressing concern that immigration enforcement provisions could discourage immigrant families from seeking medical or emergency help, indicating support for protecting access to services while pushing back against expanded enforcement obligations at the state level.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports abortion access and bodily autonomy, opposes near-total bans and legislative restrictions, and describes abortion care as healthcare that should be decided between a patient and their doctor. The candidate has pledged to fight to overturn or block restrictive abortion laws and to defend reproductive rights in the legislature.
Climate & Energy
Supports measures to expand clean energy access (including legislation for plug-in home solar units) and to regulate and disclose large energy users’ impacts (authored a bill to require data center water and electricity disclosure and reporting). Positions emphasize renewable-friendly policies and managing energy demand rather than opposing transitional fossil-fuel use outright.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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