Biography
David Sanders is the Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 23 in the November 3, 2026 general election, in which he faces incumbent Spencer Deery (R) and independent Joshua Brant.[1][3] A Purdue University associate professor of biological sciences, he has served on the West Lafayette City Council since 2016, according to his Ballotpedia survey.[2]
David Sanders earned a bachelor's degree from Yale College in 1983 and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1989, according to Ballotpedia.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as a virus expert and said he has lived in West Lafayette for more than 30 years with his wife, and that his three sons attended West Lafayette public schools.[2] He said he founded the Stop the Water Steal movement, which sought to protect aquifers associated with the Wabash River.[2]
Sanders was the Democratic nominee for the same seat in 2022, losing the general election to Spencer Deery, 63.6% to 36.4%.[1] In his 2026 survey, he said he would work for comprehensive property tax reform and reversal of the effects of SB 1, and that he supports public education, veterans, academic freedom and local control.[2] He listed endorsements from the American Federation of Teachers and 314 Action.[2]
- 1.David Sanders (Indiana) · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.David Sanders - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2026) · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
- 3.Indiana State Senate elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Indiana Senate District 23
David Sanders is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Indiana Senate District 23 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
