INDIANA — Today, multiple military veterans filed to run as Democratic candidates for State House, aiming to serve their communities in a new way in Indianapolis. This slate of military veterans comes from all across Indiana and features candidates who served in the Navy, Army, and National Guard.
It includes Thomas Horrocks, Matt McNally, Robert Pope, and Nate Anderson in districts 62, 39, 40, and 53. If elected, they will join Reps. Renee Pack and Chuck Moseley are members of the Democratic Caucus who have served their country.
“These candidates know what it means to serve. Between the four, they bring over 40 years of devoted military service to their campaigns,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. “In this time of partisan gridlock and pandering to extremes, Hoosiers need new leadership that understands how to serve every family in their communities.
“Matt McNally has spent the past 22-plus years in the Navy and the Indiana Air National Guard. During that time, he served his country all around the globe and gained the experience necessary to find common ground and defend our freedoms. Matt will fight just as hard for Carmel’s working families as he did when serving overseas or helping veterans and first responders at home. He will focus on Indiana’s veteran community and take the lessons he’s learned from serving his local VFW to increase the quality of life and services for all Hoosier veterans and servicemembers.
“As a church pastor and Indiana National Guard chaplain, Thomas Horrocks has seen firsthand the sacrifices veterans make to keep our country safe. He knows that the unbalanced supermajority in Indianapolis has not done enough to help working families in communities across our state. As a state representative, he will fight daily to keep rural hospitals open and ensure everyone in Indiana has better access to healthcare and childcare services in their communities.
“Councilman Robert Pope has overseen Avon’s incredible economic growth as a town council member and president. He knows we can cut the unnecessary bureaucracy in Indianapolis and create a state that puts working families first. It’s exactly what he’s done as council president, and he’ll help take Avon to the next level as its next state representative. Robert is an Iraq War Army veteran.
“Nate Anderson has a long career of giving back to the Greenfield community. After serving his country as a long-serving combat veteran, he returned to keep students safe as the Community Resource Officer for Franklin Township Community Schools. As a state representative, he’ll work across partisan lines to find solutions that keep our students safe and support Hoosier veterans.”
THOMAS HORROCKS, House District 62
(Monroe County/Brown County; Bloomington, Nashville)
Inc. Dave Hall
Thomas is a church pastor and chaplain in the Indiana Army National Guard, where he has served for nearly ten years. Thomas has completed one overseas deployment and more than a year on full-time orders, where he served right here in Indiana during the COVID response mission. He and his wife, Adriane, are proud to raise their blended family in south-central Indiana.
Thomas is a first-time running candidate because he believes the current super-majority government should focus more on helping Hoosiers. Thomas can be found online at www.horrocksforhoosiers.com.
MATT MCNALLY, House District 39
(Hamilton County; Carmel, Westfield)
Inc. OPEN, Jerry Torr is retiring
Matt is a veteran, airline pilot, union member, and proud husband and father. He served for over 22 years, including in the Navy Reserves in Indiana and the Air National Guard. Matt currently serves the Carmel and Westfield communities as the Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 10003, on the board of the Westfield Kiwanis Club, and as an English as a second language instructor with Exodus Refugee. He and his wife, Brooke, have two kids who attended public schools.
Matt first ran in 2022, when his campaign connected with more than 30,000 voters on their doorsteps. Matt is running because, after talking to many community members, he knows the policies pushed by the current super-majority are out of step with Hoosiers in the 39th District. Matt is ready to start working together for Indiana and can be found online at www.mcnallyforindiana.com.
ROBERT POPE, House District 40
(Avon, Brownsburg)
Inc. Greg Steuerwald
Robert Pope is an Iraq Army veteran, a native Hoosier, and a senior software engineer subcontractor for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert is a current town councilor of the City of Avon and a past town council president. He and his wife, Josie, have a blended family with four children.
As town council president for Avon, Robert has been responsible for policy changes focused on expanding the local economy, reducing government inefficiency, and improving public safety. During his tenure, Robert helped bring more than $1 billion in new business development to the town. However, Robert has noticed a disconnect between local and state government that ultimately does serve Hoosiers. He is running because he is committed to a better Indiana government that serves all citizens’ interests. Robert can be found online at www.pope4indiana.com.
NATE ANDERSON, House District 53
(Pendleton/Greenfield)
OPEN, Bob Cherry is retiring
Nate Anderson is a combat veteran with nearly two decades of service as a senior enlisted soldier in the Indiana Army National Guard and a law enforcement officer with a decade of experience, currently serving as a school resource officer for Franklin TWP Community Schools Corporation. He has a long professional history of operations, planning, and leadership expertise. Nate decided to run for House District 53 to be a voice and advocate for working-class families.
Beyond his public service, Nate finds strength and support in his family. He is happily married to his husband, Marco, and they share their home with three cherished dogs—Sarge, Pepper, and Rugby. Nate can be found online at www.nate4mayor.com.
