Our very own Jim Banks is officially throwing his hat into the ring.

Banks Launches Candidacy for Indiana Senate District 17
Whitley County Councilman offers business background, proven conservative record

(August 11, 2009) – Jim Banks formally announced his candidacy for Indiana State Senate District 17 today by filing the necessary paperwork with the Whitley County Clerk’s office.

Banks, 30, is the first to file to succeed retiring Indiana State Senator Gary “Doc” Dillon. A county councilman elected at-large in Whitley County, Banks also serves as the Whitley County Republican Chairman and Third District Republican Vice-Chairman.

“I am excited about this opportunity to take my public service to the Legislature where I can advance many fiscal and social conservative issues that matter to our district,” said Banks. “I am proud of my fiscal conservative record on the Whitley County Council and look forward to taking the same fresh and aggressive conservative values to the State House.”

Banks is the Director of Business Development at The Hagerman Group, a 101-year old general contractor and construction management company headquartered in Fort Wayne. Before joining The Hagerman Group, Banks owned and managed a public affairs firm for five years. Prior to that, he worked in the Public Policy Department at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado., where he helped advance pro-family values across the nation.

Banks serves on several boards including Northeast Indiana Regional Workforce Development, Columbia City Chamber of Commerce, Fort Wayne Area Builders and Contractors Association Government Affairs Committee and the Columbia City Rotary Club.

Banks and his wife Amanda live in Columbia City where Jim was born and raised before attending and graduating from Indiana University. The Banks’ expect their first child later this month. They belong to Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Columbia City.

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