Hold 'em Accountable

Derrick Holder
  • 5.0 (1)
  • News Commentary

Welcome to Hold ’Em Accountable — a channel dedicated to shining a light on politics, policy, and the people who represent us. Here, we break down the decisions made in Indiana and across the nation, exposing how gerrymandering, corruption, and backroom deals impact everyday Americans. We ask the tough questions: Are our leaders truly serving the people, or are they protecting their own power? Through commentary, news breakdowns, and sharp analysis, we cut through political spin and demand accountability from those in office — regardless of party. This channel isn’t about left or right — it’s about right and wrong. It’s about making sure Hoosiers and all Americans know the truth, and making sure their voices are heard.

  1. 16h ago

    Austin Meives: Rural Indiana Is Paying More and Getting Less

    Austin Meives, Democratic nominee for Indiana House District 23, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about rural Indiana, rising utility bills, data centers, crumbling roads, public schools, healthcare access, and why small towns deserve more than attention during election season. District 23 includes communities throughout Cass and Miami counties, including Logansport, Peru, and surrounding rural areas where agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and public education shape everyday life. In this interview, Austin talks about what he is hearing from voters across the district: power costs are going up, roads are struggling, teachers are being asked to do more with less, rural hospitals are losing services, and many people feel forgotten by the Statehouse after the votes are counted. We discuss: • Indiana House District 23 • Austin Meives’ campaign for State Representative • Rising utility bills and power costs • Data centers and energy demand in Indiana • NIPSCO, utility regulation, and affordability • Rural roads, gas taxes, and local government funding • Public schools, property taxes, and teacher shortages • Parents, phones, cyberbullying, and classroom pressure • Rural healthcare access and Peru’s OB wing closure • Medicaid cuts and rural hospital strain • Younger candidates stepping into politics • Why voters need representatives who actually answer them • Common ground in rural Indiana Austin says rural Indiana is tired of paying taxes, paying higher bills, and still watching basic services fall behind. His message is simple: government should work for people, not forget them. No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #AustinMeives #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD23 #RuralIndiana #HoldEmAccountable

    Austin Meives: Rural Indiana Is Paying More and Getting Less

  2. 2d ago

    Maggie Davis for Indiana House District 26: A Republican Challenging Her Own Party

    Maggie Davis, Republican candidate for Indiana House District 26, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation that does not fit neatly inside the usual party lines. Davis says she wants to change the Republican Party from within, and she takes positions that put her at odds with parts of her own party. In this interview, we press beyond campaign slogans and ask what those positions would actually mean once she reached the Indiana Statehouse. We discuss: • Indiana House District 26 and Tippecanoe County • Why Maggie wants to change the Republican Party from within • Indiana’s abortion restrictions and reproductive freedom • Cannabis legalization and potential tax revenue • Eliminating or reducing Indiana’s gas tax • Property taxes and government spending • Raising Indiana’s minimum wage • Housing costs and barriers to affordable construction • Public-school funding and local referendums • Workforce development and skilled trades • A proposed three-year moratorium on AI data centers • Farmland, water, environmental policy, and economic development • Survivor protections, consent education, and Title IX • Flock cameras, privacy, AI, and the Fourth Amendment • Working with Democrats when Republicans refuse to act • What happens when constituents and party leadership want different things Davis makes one promise repeatedly: the people of District 26 come before the Republican caucus. She says she would even accept becoming a one-term representative if standing with her constituents meant going against her own party. That gives voters something very specific to hold her accountable to if she wins. No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #MaggieDavis #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD26 #TippecanoeCounty #HoldEmAccountable

    Maggie Davis for Indiana House District 26: A Republican Challenging Her Own Party

  3. Oct 16

    Jack Chance: Who Wins When Indiana’s Economy Changes?

    Jack Chance, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 30, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about what happens when technology, economic development, and working-class life all collide. In Kokomo and Howard County, AI and automation are not distant ideas. They raise real questions about manufacturing jobs, data centers, union labor, wages, and whether the next wave of economic development will create opportunity for local workers or leave them behind. Jack talks about his proposed Hoosier Jobs First Act, Indiana’s minimum wage, organized labor, childcare costs, teacher pay, school vouchers, healthcare expenses, and his idea for a state-level healthcare plan. He also reflects on walking a union picket line and why that experience reinforced his belief that working-class issues often cross party lines. At the center of the conversation is a simple question: when Indiana changes, who gets the benefits, who carries the costs, and who still has a voice? No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. Stay informed, ask questions, and as always, hold ’em accountable.

    Jack Chance: Who Wins When Indiana’s Economy Changes?

  4. Oct 9

    Dr. Karen Whitney for Indiana House District 28: Who Really Pays for Indiana’s Cuts?

    Dr. Karen Whitney, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 28, joins Hold ’em Accountable to talk about public-school funding, property taxes, affordability, healthcare, economic development, government reform, and what happens when Indiana cuts state support for services Hoosiers still depend on. Whitney spent more than 40 years in higher education, including leadership at IUPUI and as president of Clarion University. Her argument is simple: cutting the state’s share of the bill does not necessarily make the cost disappear. Schools still have teachers to pay, buildings to maintain, transportation to provide, and students to educate. As Whitney puts it, “The state can walk away,” but those expenses do not. In this conversation, we discuss: • Indiana House District 28 • Hendricks and Montgomery counties • Public-school funding and school fees • Property taxes and the hidden cost of state cuts • Teacher support and education policy • College affordability and Indiana’s brain drain • Cost of living, wages, food, housing, and utilities • Corporate incentives and job quality • Rural and suburban economic development • Family farms and local control • Water and data-center development • Rural healthcare and Whitney’s 30-minute access goal • Legislative term limits • Citizen-led redistricting • Campaign-finance reform • Citizen ballot initiatives • Bipartisan governing in the Indiana Statehouse Whitney says Indiana should stop treating schools, parks, healthcare, infrastructure, and other public services as nothing more than expenses to cut. If Hoosiers still expect those services, somebody eventually pays the bill. The question is whether Indiana is being honest about who that somebody is. No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #KarenWhitney #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD28 #PublicSchools #HoldEmAccountable

    Dr. Karen Whitney for Indiana House District 28: Who Really Pays for Indiana’s Cuts?

  5. Oct 2

    Julie McGill for Indiana Senate District 15: Medicaid, Schools & Affordability

    Julie McGill, Democratic nominee for Indiana Senate District 15, returns to Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation about Medicaid, public schools, housing, affordability, worker power, and what happens when government programs become almost impossible for ordinary families to navigate. Julie is not talking about Medicaid from a spreadsheet. As the mother of a child with significant disabilities, she has experienced Indiana’s waiver system, insurance denials, confusing eligibility rules, provider problems, and the exhausting reality of fighting for services her family depends on. In this conversation, we discuss: • Indiana Senate District 15 and Allen County • Julie McGill’s campaign for the Indiana State Senate • Medicaid waivers and disability services • ABA therapy and support for children with autism • Special education and public-school funding • Indiana’s private-school voucher expansion • Housing affordability and corporate ownership of homes • Rent, landlords, and local property management • Working families living paycheck to paycheck • Corporate power and worker bargaining power • FSSA oversight and government accountability • Fraud versus improper Medicaid payments • Why complicated government systems hurt vulnerable families most • Why Julie says she’ll read the 300-page manual nobody else wants to read Julie’s argument is straightforward: government should not be so complicated that only people with the time, education, and confidence to fight can get the help they qualify for. Her broader question for Indiana is even simpler: if taxpayers are funding these systems, shouldn’t they actually work for the people who need them? No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #JulieMcGill #IndianaPolitics #IndianaSD15 #Medicaid #HoldEmAccountable

    Julie McGill for Indiana Senate District 15: Medicaid, Schools & Affordability

  6. Sep 25

    Alex Wait for Indiana House District 5: Cost of Living, Schools & Housing

    Alex Wait, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 5, joins Hold ’em Accountable to talk about the cost of living, housing, public schools, childcare, healthcare, organized labor, data centers, and whether working families can still afford to build a future in Indiana. Alex describes what he calls the “cost squeeze” facing Hoosiers: wages struggling to keep pace while housing, groceries, childcare, utilities, and healthcare eat up more of the family budget. In this conversation, we discuss: • Indiana House District 5 and St. Joseph County • Alex Wait’s campaign for the Indiana Statehouse • Housing affordability and starter homes • Indiana’s minimum wage and worker pay • Unions, right-to-work laws, and collective bargaining • Affordable childcare and universal pre-K • Public school funding and private school vouchers • Teacher resources and Indiana education policy • Data centers, local control, water, utilities, and development • Rural healthcare and the Healthy Indiana Plan • Cannabis legalization and state revenue • Why younger Hoosiers are getting involved in politics • Bipartisan opportunities on housing • Constituent communication and accountability Alex argues that Indiana’s affordability problems are connected. Housing does not exist separately from wages. Childcare does not exist separately from work. Public schools affect economic development. Healthcare affects family stability. And major development projects raise questions about who receives the benefits and who carries the costs. His campaign message centers on a basic question: if Hoosiers work hard, should that still be enough to afford a home, raise a family, and stay in Indiana? No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #AlexWait #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD5 #CostOfLiving #HoldEmAccountable

    Alex Wait for Indiana House District 5: Cost of Living, Schools & Housing

  7. Sep 18

    Lauren Cole for Indiana House District 37: Affordability, Schools & Hamilton County

    Hamilton County is one of Indiana’s fastest-growing and most prosperous areas. So why are working families still living paycheck to paycheck? Lauren Cole, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 37, joins Hold ’em Accountable to talk about affordability, housing, childcare, healthcare, public schools, corporate influence, and whether Indiana is measuring economic success the wrong way. Lauren works in medical research and clinical trials, and she says the Statehouse could use more of the scientific method: identify the problem, follow the evidence, challenge assumptions, and change course when the facts say something isn’t working. In this conversation, we cover: • Indiana House District 37 and Hamilton County • Lauren Cole’s campaign for the Indiana Statehouse • Rising housing, grocery, utility, and healthcare costs • Why young Hoosiers are delaying homeownership and families • Childcare and the paycheck-to-paycheck economy • Public school funding and private school vouchers • Teacher pay and retaining educators • Hamilton County growth, traffic, and infrastructure • Corporate tax incentives and job quality • Wages, benefits, and taxpayer return on investment • Corporate influence in Indiana politics • Legislative power and the role of the House Speaker • Evidence-based policymaking at the Statehouse Lauren says Hoosiers are not asking for anything unreasonable. They are asking for something that used to feel possible: work hard, play by the rules, and have that work be enough to build a decent life. Hamilton County may be booming, but economic growth means very little if the people building that prosperity cannot afford to live there. No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #LaurenCole #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD37 #HamiltonCounty #HoldEmAccountable

    Lauren Cole for Indiana House District 37: Affordability, Schools & Hamilton County

  8. Sep 11

    Magdalaine Davis Breaks the Republican Script

    Magdalaine Davis, Republican candidate for Indiana House District 26, joins Hold ’em Accountable for a conversation that does not sound like the usual Indiana political template. District 26 is centered around West Lafayette and Purdue University, while also including surrounding neighborhoods and rural parts of Tippecanoe County. It is a district shaped by students, longtime residents, small businesses, farmers, public schools, research, innovation, affordability, and the future of Indiana’s workforce. Magdalaine talks about growing up in a military family, becoming a Purdue student, and why her experience as a survivor of sexual violence pushed her toward public service. She says Indiana needs leaders willing to deal with uncomfortable issues instead of brushing them aside. In this interview, we discuss: • Indiana House District 26 • Magdalaine Davis’ Republican campaign • West Lafayette, Purdue, and rural Tippecanoe County • Affordability and Indiana’s minimum wage • Cost of living differences across Indiana communities • Public schools, school funding, and trade schools • Mental health care for students, veterans, and families • Bullying, cyberbullying, and teen suicide • Supporting survivors of sexual violence • Public safety, prosecutors, and prevention resources • Accessible, honest, and present leadership • Working across party lines • Why lawmakers need to think 10, 15, and 20 years ahead Magdalaine says Indiana has to stop governing only for the moment. Every bill should be judged by how it affects affordability, education, public services, police, fire departments, mental health, and the future families are trying to build. Whether voters agree with her or not, she brings a different kind of Republican voice to this race, one focused on survivor advocacy, public schools, mental health, local concerns, and being willing to admit when she is wrong. No spin. No talking points. Just receipts. You can also ask Alexa to play Hold ’em Accountable with Derrick Holder. #MagdalaineDavis #IndianaPolitics #IndianaHD26 #Purdue #HoldEmAccountable

    Magdalaine Davis Breaks the Republican Script
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About

Welcome to Hold ’Em Accountable — a channel dedicated to shining a light on politics, policy, and the people who represent us. Here, we break down the decisions made in Indiana and across the nation, exposing how gerrymandering, corruption, and backroom deals impact everyday Americans. We ask the tough questions: Are our leaders truly serving the people, or are they protecting their own power? Through commentary, news breakdowns, and sharp analysis, we cut through political spin and demand accountability from those in office — regardless of party. This channel isn’t about left or right — it’s about right and wrong. It’s about making sure Hoosiers and all Americans know the truth, and making sure their voices are heard.

Information

  • Creator
    Derrick Holder
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Derrick Holder