We're coming home, Indiana.

My dad, Joel Cruz Jr., came to this country with almost nothing and built a life through sheer determination and heart. My parents were married in 1982, starting in a small apartment but with big dreams. Today, my dad is a proud civil servant for the State of Indiana, a homeowner with his own slice of the Midwest (complete with the riding mower he swears was essential).

After building a life in Southern California, my parents moved our family back to Indianapolis in 1994 when my Lolo, my grandfather, became ill. My dad started over again from scratch, teaching himself computer programming and working his way up in state government. He built his career brick by brick, never complaining, never losing sight of why he was doing it: to give his family a better life. My mom, ever the steady hand, worked in banking and kept us all moving forward, together.

Their story, like so many immigrant stories, isn’t just about survival. It’s about service, about finding a way to give back to the place that gave them a chance. My parents both worked for the state, believing deeply in the promise that good government can change lives when it’s done with integrity and care.

But somewhere along the way, that kind of leadership has become harder to find.

On January 6th, when our nation’s Capitol was attacked by people who believe families like mine don’t belong, I thought of my dad. This man raised his children to believe in democracy, equality, and the rule of law. He taught me that America is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table and a fair shot at success.

That’s why I’m coming home: because my dad and Hoosiers like him deserve better.

Indiana deserves leaders who listen, who lead with compassion, and who believe their job is to serve the people, not themselves. The same values that carried my father across the ocean and through decades of service are the ones that will guide me as I help write the next chapter of Indiana’s story.

Coming home from Chicago to Indy isn’t about starting over. It’s about continuing what my dad began, building a future rooted in dignity, opportunity, and community.

♥️ Here’s to my dad on his birthday, my teacher, my example, and my compass.