Valparaiso resident
and Democrat Jim Harper is announcing his candidacy for the nomination for
Indiana Secretary of State.
“It is time for a
new generation of leadership in state government,” Harper said. “All too
often, our state government has sided with those at the very top at the
expense of ordinary Hoosiers. I’m running for Secretary of State because we
desperately need a fresh perspective at the state house. Our Secretary of
State must set party politics aside and focus on improving the lives of all
Hoosiers.”
The Secretary of
State is Indiana’s chief elections officer. “We must make sure that all
eligible Hoosiers can cast a ballot,” Harper said. “I’ll fight to expand
early voting, establish same-day voter registration, and end political
gerrymandering. Under one-party rule, Indiana has become hopelessly
gerrymandered. This must change, and the Secretary of State must lead the
charge.”
“As Secretary of
State, I’ll also fight to help middle-class Hoosiers and strengthen our
economy,” Harper added. “I’ll work to make it easier for small businesses to
do business in our state. And I’ll stand up to companies that attempt to
mislead or defraud senior citizens and investors.”
Harper was born and
raised in Valparaiso and currently resides there. He graduated with highest
honors from Indiana University and received his law degree, with high
honors, from Georgetown University. After law school, Harper completed a
federal judicial clerkship in Indianapolis. He now practices law in Porter
County. Harper serves on the board of a non-profit law firm that provides
free and reduced-cost legal services to veterans, as well as the Hilltop
House, a Valparaiso non-profit that provides early-childhood education and
other services to Porter County families.
In 2016, Harper was
the Democratic nominee for State Senate in the 5th District.