Michelle Higgs

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Michelle Higgs
Image of Michelle Higgs

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Martinsville High School

Personal
Birthplace
Santa Rosa, Calif.
Religion
Christian
Profession
Property management
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Michelle Higgs (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Indiana House of Representatives to represent District 60. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Higgs completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michelle Higgs was born in Santa Rosa, California. Higgs' career experience includes working in property management.[1]

Higgs has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Hoosier Action
  • Poor People's Campaign
  • Faith in Indiana
  • Medicare for All Indiana
  • Citizens Action Coalition
  • People's Action
  • Reverse Citizens United

Elections

2024

See also: Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 60

Incumbent Peggy Mayfield defeated Michelle Higgs in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 60 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Peggy Mayfield
Peggy Mayfield (R)
 
75.7
 
25,764
Image of Michelle Higgs
Michelle Higgs (D) Candidate Connection
 
24.3
 
8,274

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 34,038
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60

Michelle Higgs advanced from the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60 on May 7, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Michelle Higgs
Michelle Higgs Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
1,006

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,006
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60

Incumbent Peggy Mayfield advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 60 on May 7, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Peggy Mayfield
Peggy Mayfield
 
100.0
 
7,601

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 7,601
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Higgs in this election.

Pledges

Higgs signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Michelle Higgs completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Higgs' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

My name is Michelle (Burkes) Higgs. I am a wife and mother to three children spanning three generations. I grew up in Martinsville, IN, influenced deeply by my parents' work ethics and values. When I moved away from Indiana after highschool, I was blessed to be able to live and work in places like Canada, England and Los Angeles. Yet, Indiana was always where I felt “home”.

When I returned to Indiana in 2016 to live closer to my aging parents, something had changed. Basic needs like affordable and safe housing, clean air, water and soil, healthcare, or livable wages were no longer championed by those leading the state. Too many friends were losing loved ones to deaths of despair.

So I began organizing with others who looked different than me, grew up different than me, had faith (or no faith) different than me and even voted different than me. This work profoundly shaped my belief in people-first policies and the importance of grassroots advocacy. Through servant leadership, I want to cultivate a society where public policy is grounded in meaningful relationships centered on listening and action, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for all.
  • I believe that all Hoosiers should have their basic needs (Environment, Housing and Health) protected. The air we breathe and the water we drink are sacred and must be stewarded wisely for the generations to come; Poisoning the earth is immoral, and we need to hold those who contaminate our home accountable. Housing must be safe and affordable, where we prioritize stability within community development. Comprehensive healthcare that puts patients first, must include the reproductive and mental healthcare we need, when we need it and without intrusion between patient and medical provider.
  • I believe that hard work should be rewarded with a just and living wage; a wage that allows a family to keep the lights on and their home warm in the cold. Requiring individuals to work 2-3 jobs just to survive is not a sustainable economy.
  • I believe our schools should be the envy of the world, because we are committed to training the next generation of innovators and inventors. As such, education is an investment into our future.
I’m passionate about the intersection of these six issues and the policies that protect them. Legislating good policy, if implemented well, can stop a destructive domino effect where people fall through the cracks. I’m committed to building infrastructure at the state level to support these issues:

Healthcare
Affordable housing
Education
Environment
Economy

Justice
I look up to my parents. When I grew up in Martinsville, my father worked across the street from our home on Main Street, managing the last gas station that pumped gas for their customers. For most of that time, he worked without any awning over the station to protect him during inclement weather. The worse the weather, the more the customers. (This greatly influenced my belief in labor unions and worker protections.) For my dad, his work was actually about the people. Often, it felt like he knew everyone in town. Even now, when I mention his name, people remember his kindness and trustworthiness. He modeled for me what faithfulness means.

My mom worked for Indiana’s CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, delivering meals to the elderly and infirm throughout rural Morgan County. She was a lifeline to the most vulnerable in our state. At times, it felt like my mom knew everyone in the county. She now illustrates and writes children’s books based on her childhood stories, using people and places from her delivery days as her artistic inspiration. Her joy and creativity in this endeavor is infectious and truly energizing. Whether it is town squares, farmers markets, or county fairs she is writing about, she models for me what genuinely experiencing community means.
Simone Weil, An Anthology
The most essential principles for any elected official are integrity, accountability, and an empathy-informed commitment to public service. These principles guide ethical behavior and build trust with constituents. Working together, integrity is the bedrock of trust, while empathy informs just policy, and accountability provides the feedback necessary to stay on course.
The core responsibilities of a State Representative include, first and foremost, representing the interests and welfare of all constituents, not just those who voted for them or the wealthy and powerful. This means listening to the people, understanding their needs, and working tirelessly to address them through legislation and advocacy, especially uplifting those marginalized and ignored by the political system. Maintaining transparency and integrity ensures that my actions are always in the public interest, free from the influence of corporate money and special interest groups. These responsibilities are the essence of a public servant.
My first historical event was the Apollo 11 moon landing, although I don’t recall it as I was too young. Instead, my mom took photos of me on that day so I could remember the importance of that moment. I do remember the Patty Hearst kidnapping. I did not understand what was happening until I was much older, but it is the earliest news story that I remember everyone talking about. The news images were very memorable to me as a 7-year-old.
My first job was at a nursing home as a nurse’s aide. It was rewarding to meet and work with the various residents, but it was also where I experienced the damaging exploitative practices of for-profit eldercare. I worked there between graduating high school to continuing education in Canada the following year.
The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature involves collaboration, transparency, and accountability, all of which aim to serve the public’s best interests over party loyalty or political gain. Common ground should be sought on critical issues such as healthcare, education, resource stewardship, and economic development. Deliberations and negotiations should be conducted as openly as possible, with ample opportunity for public review and input, to maintain accountability to the public and not special interest groups. Seeking input and consensus ensures that laws reflect the will and needs of the people.

Furthermore, the relationship should be based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to addressing the needs of Hoosiers through policy-driven, innovative, and equitable governance.

Ultimately, the relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be characterized by a shared commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, prioritizing the welfare of all citizens, and navigating differences with integrity and a focus on the common good. This includes reaching across the aisle to include diverse perspectives ensuring that governance is inclusive and representative.

Such a partnership is essential for effective governance and advancing the state’s and its people’s interests.
Over the next decade, Indiana’s most significant challenge will be reshaping its economy to accommodate the changing job market while stewarding valuable resources and protecting the most vulnerable. No economic growth will be sustainable if we do not simultaneously address the needs of individuals and families who want to live and thrive in Indiana. Those needs include:

- Affordable housing across the spectrum (renters, low-income, first-time home buyers, growing families, corporate housing, fixed-income housing)
- Proactive stewardship of resources, especially water, in a changing climate
- Equitable and accessible healthcare for all, including reproductive healthcare and comprehensive mental health services (inc. pediatric, addiction recovery)
- Investing in education (pre-K through college/trade school) so our children can be the industry leaders we need
- Economic protections against profiteering (e.g., utility and healthcare monopolies) and labor exploitation (e.g., low or stagnant wages, “gig economy”)

- Connectivity through transportation infrastructure and broadband/cell coverage - our communities die when people can no longer afford to live there
Any experience in government or politics is beneficial. Still, historically, the idea of “experience” has been used to keep marginalized people from stepping into leadership at the state level. ​​State legislators with diverse backgrounds and experiences can bring fresh local perspectives and innovation to the legislative process, often offering unique insights and approaches more closely aligned with their constituents.
Building relationships with other legislators is not just beneficial; it's essential for effective governance. Our democracy requires working together, finding common ground, and building consensus through cooperation and dialogue. Which means reaching out to colleagues across the aisle, listening to differing viewpoints, and engaging in constructive discussions.

The issues we face do not recognize district boundaries, partisan politics, or how we can become divided. Effective legislation comes from forging respectful relationships with other legislators who bring diverse ideas and can facilitate the exchange of these ideas, leading to more comprehensive and inclusive policies.

Furthermore, these relationships are crucial for understanding the needs and perspectives of all constituents, not just those who agree with us. Ultimately, our goal is to serve the public and improve the lives of the people we represent. Building bridges is critical to achieving that goal, even during deep division. It's about putting the needs of Hoosiers above partisan politics.
I admire any legislator who models servant leadership and remains consistent with their core principles. National leaders I admire for this reason include Jimmy Carter and Bernie Sanders. State leaders who have consistently championed policies I’ve supported include Senators Greg Taylor, Fady Qaddoura, and Shelli Yoder.
At this stage in my career, my primary focus is not on seeking a different political office but on continuing to fight for Hoosiers. My commitment is to push for policies that address the needs of the most vulnerable among us, which continue to provide opportunities for working families and local businesses and to work tirelessly to create a more equitable society with a sustainable and healthy environment that my children and grandchildren will want to inherit. Whether my role is in the Statehouse or outside of the elected office, advocating for important issues on behalf of Hoosiers, my objective remains to ensure that our government works with us, not against us.
When I was the Member Engagement Director of Hoosier Action, the words I frequently heard used in people’s stories included “disenfranchised,” “hurt,” “angry,” “left out,” “expendable,” and “powerless.” These are all words I continue to hear when I talk to people as a candidate. They want to see change. However, legislative change cannot happen unless people hold their elected officials accountable by voting. We talk a lot about low voter engagement in Indiana (which has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation.) People on both sides feel their voices do not matter, so they believe their votes will not make a difference, especially with a super majority at the Statehouse that is no longer accountable to the people.

Another word I often hear, especially since COVID, is that people do not feel “rooted” in each other, in the community. One person (who lives near the boundary of three counties) mentioned that she worked in one county, lived in another, and paid her utilities in the third. At the same time, her children went to a completely different school district. She didn’t know where she “belonged.” If we don’t know where we are rooted, then we don’t feel connected to the decisions that impact us, and we won’t show up to vote. Too many are made powerless by the simple act of designating a district line. It is this powerlessness that breeds contempt for the government. These stories of disconnection and uprootedness significantly impact how I view the political landscape. I carry their stories as sacred.
In a democratic society, any grant of emergency powers by the governor must be subject to rigorous legislative oversight, with clear guidelines, transparency, and a defined timeframe. This balance of power ensures that the government can effectively address emergencies while remaining accountable to constituents. As a part-time governing body, the Indiana legislature faces a challenge in promptly addressing emergencies outside of session when lawmakers may be scarce. Clear guidelines are imperative to serve the public good without compromising democratic principles. Sadly, the debate over what constitutes an emergency or how that emergency should be responded to has become politicized, diminishing public trust in both branches of government.
I would like to see wrap-around services for mental health fully funded. SEA 1 in 2023 was a solid first step. However, the requested $130 million annually outlined by the Behavioral Health Commission was significantly reduced to a budget allocation of $100 million over the biennium. At a time when schools need trained counselors and addiction recovery services need additional support, Indiana should be leading the way toward investing in the health and well-being of its people.
Family, Children, and Human Affairs

Education

Environmental Affairs
We must first address the undue influence of money in politics. In order to diminish the power of wealthy donors and lobbyists, it is essential to overturn Citizens United and move towards public funding of elections. We also need detailed reporting of government contracts, expenditures, and audits available to the public in an accessible format. By implementing comprehensive campaign finance reform, we restore the voice of Hoosiers in our political process, ensuring that our government operates transparently and is accountable to the people it serves.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Michelle Higgs campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Indiana House of Representatives District 60Lost general$2,400 $492
Grand total$2,400 $492
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

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External links

Candidate

Indiana House of Representatives District 60
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 2, 2024


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