Two political newcomers are facing off for Indiana State Senate’s 1st District seat.
St. John-based Republican Trevor De Vries and Highland Democrat Scott Houldieson are both hoping to win the seat after the Nov. 3 general election.
Insurance broker De Vries won the Republican nomination against incumbent Dan Dernulc and financial analyst Nader Liddawi. De Vries is one of several candidates backed by President Donald Trump, who targeted legislators who voted against Indiana’s attempted mid-census redistricting in December 2025.
De Vries has also been endorsed by Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Attorney General Todd Rokita.
“At the end of the day, endorsements are just a feather in a cap,” De Vries said. “… I think the biggest thing that people are excited about for my campaign is just a common sense person that’s working just like they are today and trying to raise a family.”
De Vries recorded his Wednesday morning phone call interview with the Post-Tribune.
He feels like Northwest Indiana is forgotten about by legislators and residents aren’t taken into consideration when making decisions, De Vries said.
“For me, as a young father with four kids, really, I want to make sure that my kids that are going to be raised here in town, are going to want to come back and raise their own families, and come back and live here and stay here,” he said.
The St. John resident has been a precinct committeeman but has no experience in public office, saying it’s one of his biggest strengths.
“The status quo of ‘good enough is good enough’ or ‘that’s how we’ve always done it’ is not going to fly with me,” he said. “So when it comes to forcing the government to actually live within its means, instead of just passing on higher costs to taxpayers, that’s always going to be a priority for me.”
Utility affordability and energy choice are De Vries’ main focuses, saying in the past decade, dozens of legislative items passed that allowed “utility companies to get subsidized by us as ratepayers.” Energy choice creates a competitive market that allows consumers to choose their own supply and supplier.
He also supports cutting wasteful spending at the statehouse. De Vries said there are “different ways to get creative” and provide property tax relief for homeowners and help lower income taxes for non-property owners.
He’s also supportive of ending the BP lockout, saying Hoosier employees need to be put first.
If elected, De Vries believes his insurance background will be helpful because it will help him read the fine print of legislation, which he believes is an issue with lawmakers.
De Vries plans to put his voting record online, so constituents can see an explanation for his votes. Any bill that he doesn’t receive a 24-hour notice for will be “an automatic no,” he said.
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“If it’s that important, we can spend more than 24 hours (on it),” De Vries said. “Everyone gets ample time to read it, digest it and make suggestions.”
Houldieson, a United Auto Workers leader and member, won the Democratic primary after running unopposed in May. He’s seeking a statehouse seat because working families deserve a voice in the state senate, Houldieson said.
“I have been a member of the UAW Local 551 for 37 years and a leader in my union,” he said. “I long encouraged other people to get involved in the political process, and when the opportunity presented itself to me, I discussed it with my wife, and we decided that it was the right thing to do.”
Houldieson has experience with union politics, but this is his first time seeking office. He thinks he’ll bring a fresh perspective to the office.
“I don’t have any preconceived notions about what is possible,” Houldieson said. “Which means that I’m going to bring ideas, and hopefully, get some of those ideas approved that are going to make life better for working families.”
Although De Vries has been endorsed by Trump and high ranking state officials, Houldieson said he doesn’t think it hurts his campaign.
He believes his experience in UAW campaigns has helped so far.
“That has been helpful for understanding how to approach a campaign,” Houldieson said. “It’s not like campaigning is something that’s brand new for me. I know the work involved in it, and we’re going to put in the work to make sure that we have a successful campaign.”
Houldieson’s top priority is reining in utility costs and giving working families a “fair shot at a decent wage.”
He believes the state needs to repeal right to work legislation, enact prevailing wage laws, raise the minimum wage and increase unemployment benefits. Houldieson said Indiana’s unemployment benefits are some of the lowest nationally.
He also wants to see an investment in public schools and municipalities, especially after 2025’s Senate Enrolled Act 1 put more stress on public safety, school and library budgets.
“Somebody’s going to have to pay to make up the difference,” Houldieson said. “That’s something that has been transferred down to municipalities, and that’s why we’re seeing school referendum after school referendum to try and fund public schools”
As a union member, Houldieson also said, if elected, he plans to use his position to advocate for locked out BP workers, who he said are affected by Indiana’s low unemployment benefits.
Houldieson wants Northwest Indiana voters to know that he’ll advocate for them from the perspective of a working family. He wants to improve the standard of living for future generations.
“I’ve raised four children and two stepchildren,” Houldieson said. “And we have 13 grandchildren. I want to leave a future for future generations, … and leave a legacy for future generations like what was left for us.”