A Valparaiso resident has declared his candidacy for Indiana’s 5th District State Senate seat.
Jim Harper announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party’s nomination on Tuesday, saying he is running to bring independent leadership to the State Senate. Harper is a 2001 graduate of Valparaiso High School, receiving a law degree from Indiana University and Georgetown University.
In a statement, the candidate says he believes state government must do more to move the economy forward. In addition, he says he will work to support State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz in an effort to help restore funding to public education in Indiana.
Harper’s candidacy follows the state’s May 3rd primary election. No candidates on the Democratic side filed to run, meaning a caucus will be conducted by party officials to determine their nominee for the job heading into November. If selected, Harper will square off against State Senator Ed Charbonneau.
His announcement for office says that over the past four years, Indiana’s reputation and economy suffered as an extreme agenda was advanced.
