Congresswoman Erin Houchin | Breaking Political Barriers

Wesley Donehue Podcast

🎤🦅Today’s episode with Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09) is a can’t-miss! Join us as we delve into the Congresswoman’s career path, legislative priorities, and her advice for those entering public service.
🛣️A Winding Path: Rep. Houchin details her journey from interning at the state legislature to challenging a long-time incumbent in the State Senate, and most recently securing a seat in the United States House of Representatives.
🙋🏼‍♀️Did You Know There’s a Senator Here? Rep. Houchin recalls facing discrimination as a woman, including being directed to an alternate location for spouses during her own Indiana State Senate inauguration.
🕹️Navigating the Negativity: The Congresswoman and Wesley discuss the pervasive pessimism in political media cycles and the value of becoming your own information source, as she does in her podcast, The Contender.
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Keeping Kids Safe: Rep. Houchin and Wesley discuss the importance of the Kids Online Safety Act, a current legislative priority for the Congresswoman. As parents, they emphasize the critical importance of online safety for America’s children.
🏆Beating the Odds: Rep. Houchin shares how she overcame a 26-year incumbent to win her State Senate seat, becoming the first Republican in nearly a century to hold the position. She also reflects on the challenges of her 2022 U.S. House primary campaign, from which she emerged successful.
🔊A Congresswoman’s Wisdom: To wrap up the episode, Rep. Houchin offers words of encouragement for aspiring public officials, stressing that there are no mandatory qualifications or personal restrictions to hinder anyone from seeking office.
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Congresswoman Erin Houchin proudly represents the 9th Congressional District of Indiana. As a mother, community leader, and small business owner, Erin is dedicated to serving the 9th district to better the lives of all Hoosiers who call it home.

Erin currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee. Previously, Erin represented the 47th District in the Indiana Senate for eight years and served as a member on several committees with jurisdiction over issues important to Hoosiers, including: Commerce and Technology; Elections; Family and Children Services; Utilities; Veterans Affairs and the Military; Homeland Security and Transportation; Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications; and Ranking Member of the Tax and Fiscal Policy.

Along with her service in the State Senate, Erin was a Hoosier small business owner operating a PR company focused on helping law enforcement communicate the good work they do. In addition to her private sector work, Erin held several leadership positions in her community. These positions included 9th District Chairwoman of the Indiana Republican Party, 9th District Chairman of the Indiana Federation of Republican Women, Vice Chairwoman of the Washington County Republican Party, and the Governor’s appointee to the Indiana Commission of Women. In 2011, Erin also served as Southeast Indiana Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dan Coats which covered most of Indiana’s 9th Congressional District.

Erin graduated from Indiana University with her Bachelor’s degree, and proceeded to earn her Master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University.

Erin was born in Southern Indiana and is a native to the 9th District. She married her husband Dustin in 2002, and they currently live in Washington County with their three children.