MacKillop Announces Bid

Today I had the opportunity to attend the launch of the Mark MacKillop for State Representative campaign in Knox, Indiana. MacKillop, a young Republican who has been twice elected to county-wide office as surveyor, is currently the only candidate running on the Republican side against freshman Representative Nancy Dembowski (D). Dembowski is a former mayor of Knox and was appointed to fill out a term in Senate District 5. She ran for reelection in 2004 but lost to Vic Heinhold (R) who recently resigned due to business opportunities and was replaced by Ed Charbonneau.

In this Republican leaning district during a season of anti-incumbency, Dembowski is vulnerable. MacKillop has the energy, the vision, and the ideas needed to win this race in House District 17. His experience in local government and his vision for a better Indiana combined with the fact that he has won elections in Rep. Dembowski’s strongest areas of support mean that his victory will contribute greatly to a Republican takeover of the House.

Here is his announcement speech:

Greetings! Welcome! Thank you for coming. It’s great to see so many friends and supporters. I want to express my sincere gratitude to those who have helped put this event together and to you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today.

Today is an exciting day. Today begins a new chapter in my life and in the lives of my family, friends, and neighbors.

Today we collectively recognize the problems that face our communities. We recognize that for many people property taxes have increased at a rate which skyrocketed beyond any acceptable limits. We recognize that families are struggling to find the resources to meet the financial burden of these property tax increases. The status quo of tinkering with numbers and sending rebate checks that cost even more tax dollars to produce and mail is no longer acceptable. We recognize that it is time for a change.

We also recognize that families and individuals fight the ever increasing high costs of medial services. We recognize and believe that patients must be provided good care at reasonable costs and we support efforts to that end.

Together we recognize that this is a pivotal time in Indiana history. There are significant structural changes being suggested in the way government operates at the local level. We recognize the necessity for efficiency and speed in county services so individuals have their needs met in a timely manner. We also recognize that with this efficiency, speed and streamlining of government services, we must be vigilant to protect against a loss of accountability in government.

We must be careful to retain a strong system of checks and balances which are so vital for the strength of our democracy and republic. Public oversight is never a bad thing. Public comment and public involvement must forever be protected in any reorganization efforts of local governments. It is this public involvement and alertness that is the bedrock to good government.

We recognize that the time has come for an honest and open debate about the issues that affect us most. The status quo of limited debate or a lack of public involvement is no longer acceptable. It is time for a change.

What should we do when we recognize these problems? Should we run away and hide? No my friends! I present to you that it is our duty to respond with ideas for a solution and work towards that end. We call it a campaign. The journey of the campaign will not always be easy. The struggles we face will not always be easily overcome, but we know that at the end of the journey, we will be able to look back at this moment in time and realize that our collective journey towards good representative government began here.

Therefore I hereby publically declare my candidacy for the Republican nomination for Indiana State Representative District 17.

Allow me to make one thing perfectly clear. I am the “common sense conservative candidate” who is pro-life, pro-family, and pro-marriage. I know you value these principles as well.

A few years ago I presented myself to you as a candidate for Surveyor.

They said we couldn’t succeed. They said I was too young and inexperienced to get the job done. You responded with support, new ideas, and encouragement as we endeavored to provide quick courteous service with limited county resources. You responded with appreciation evidenced by your support and encouragement. Together we proved them wrong.

I know that as we go forward from this day you will once again provide guidance, helpful suggestions, and needed encouragement as we run towards the prize that is set before us. To borrow a passage from the book of Isaiah, “We shall run and not be weary; we shall walk and not faint.”

You can rest assured that the high ideals, goals and personal conviction that I brought to the office of Surveyor will be the same high ideals and conviction that I intend to represent in the Indiana State House.

It is with resolute conviction that I present to you the fact that our goals are noble, our cause is just, and our actions are necessary for the betterment of generations to come.

We will fight towards those ends, we will debate the issues that matter, and with your support we will prevail.

Thank you and God Bless.