Meet Nick Neal

I’m Nick Neal, and I’m Region born through and through.

I grew up in Gary, graduated from Andrean High School, and earned my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University Northwest. I stayed right here in Northwest Indiana to further my education, completing a dual master’s degree in law enforcement administration and public administration. This community shaped me, gave me opportunities and instilled the belief that when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

My wife, LaToya, and I have raised our sons, Eli and Jayden, right here in the Region. We’re a blended family — one that’s navigated real struggles, leaned on one another and celebrated every milestone side by side. That lived experience grounds my values and the way I lead.

I also come from a union household. My dad worked more than 30 years at U.S. Steel Gary Works in the Sheet and Tin Division. Growing up with the stability that his union job provided taught me the power of worker solidarity and the importance of protecting the jobs that keep families strong.

Professionally, I’ve spent nearly two decades working on the front lines with families across Lake and Porter counties, first as a police officer, and then as a nonprofit leader focused on preventing child abuse, reducing truancy, addressing domestic violence and helping families find stability. I’ve seen the difference it makes when people receive real support — and the consequences when systems fail them.

Those experiences shaped my core belief: We accomplish more through conversation than confrontation.

People don’t want to be lectured to — they want to be heard. That’s why I’ve always led by talking with people, not at them.

Over the years, I’ve worked alongside churches, schools, state agencies and community leaders to build programs that help families break cycles of hardship. I’ve helped secure millions of dollars in funding for Northwest Indiana — investments that created jobs, expanded services and provided the wraparound support families need to thrive.

And through it all, I’ve stayed committed to something simple but essential: showing up, listening and voting in every election I can — because participation matters.