A Bloomington property management director has tossed his hat into the ring for Indiana House District 65.
Republican Jacob Franklin is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat that Bedford attorney Eric Koch plans to vacate at the end of this year. The district includes Brown County.
Franklin said he thinks the winning candidate must show they have diplomacy and can work with everyone.
If elected, he said he will draw on his 13 years of experience in Monroe County and city governments.
He said he has firsthand experience regarding how new or updated laws affect everyone, and has worked with residents and state, federal and local authorities in implementing and understanding the anticipated impacts of the laws.
“I understand hard work, dedication and how to accomplish goals,” Franklin said. “I will also bring diplomacy — the strongest asset a person can have when seeking or holding any legislative position.”
Franklin said he will work to gain and maintain a strong infrastructure and invest in schools, teachers, first responders, veterans and those who currently serve our country.
“I will put forth legislation that will encourage small businesses and corporations to keep investing in our district and Indiana,” he said.
Franklin was born and raised in Monroe County.
“I love this area and look forward to meeting and listening to the citizens within District 65,” he said. “Together, we can keep the great state of Indiana economically strong and fiscally responsible.”
In 2012, Franklin was presented a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal Investigative Services for the public service he provided throughout his years as a deputy clerk of Monroe Circuit Court.
He was a deputy clerk from 2003 to 2012 and spent three years working with the city of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development office.
Franklin is director of property management for Choice Realty and Management in Bloomington.
Koch, who has represented House District 65 for 14 years, has filed to run for the Senate District 44 seat Brent Steele will hold through the end of this year when he plans to retire.
Other Republican candidates who have filed to run for Koch’s seat are Mark Mathis and Christopher D. May, both of Bedford; Darren Byrd of Brown County; and Jim Pfaff and Franklin Andrew, both of Bloomington.
Chris Woods of Bedford will be on the Democrat ballot.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Jacob Franklin” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Hometown: Bloomington
Occupation: Property development manager
Political experience: Former deputy clerk of Monroe Circuit Court
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