The Older Veteran

I knocked on the door of an older gentleman in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

I started the same way I always do—introduced myself, said I was running in the Democratic primary against Congressman André Carson, and that I was out block walking to meet voters.

Before I could finish the sentence, he smiled and said, “Brother, you already got my vote.”

He told me it was time for a new generation to lead.

I thanked him, we spoke briefly and as the conversation closed, I started to walk away. And then he called me back.

What followed was a long conversation about something I hear everywhere in Indianapolis: the roads. Potholes. Infrastructure. Daily wear and tear that affects everyone, no matter where they live.

He didn’t care which level of government was responsible. He didn’t care about jurisdictional lines. He said, “I don’t know how you fix it, but I just want to see it fixed.”

When I talked about how federal dollars, state policy, and city decisions all intersect, he nodded. He said no one had ever explained it that way or shown up to ask.

He told me he’s a Democrat, but also a 33-year military veteran. He thinks of himself first as an American before a partisan and he wants a representative who shows up for the whole district.

Before I left, he told me something I hear a lot: “You’re the first candidate who’s ever knocked on my door.”

He said he’d tell his friends. His neighbors. His family.

Presence still matters.

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