Jon Elrod
Encyclopedia
Jonathan "Jon" Robert Elrod (born May 3, 1977) is an American attorney and politician. He is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives
from District 97.
He was the Republican Party candidate in the Indiana's 7th congressional district special election
held on March 11, 2008 to fill a vacant seat, losing to Democrat André Carson
.
in 1995. In 1999, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio
where he majored in History, minored in Performance Studies (Theater). He was president of the Rugby Football Club.
Elrod received a J.D. degree cum laude in 2002 from Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington. He was on the editorial staff of the Indiana Law Journal. While in law school, Elrod studied at the University of London, School of Advanced Legal Studies.
Elrod is an associate at Elrod and Mascher, P.C., a law firm in Indianapolis.
He ran on a platform to streamline local government due to the large disparity between actual funding for poor relief and the overhead operating costs of the Center Township Trustee's Office. At the time, the Indianapolis Star
reported in a February 1, 2004 article citing an Indiana Chamber of Commerce Report that the Center Township Trustee spent $2.35 for every $1.00 of poor relief provided.
Elrod ran a strong grassroots campaign for an office that he admits very few people knew existed. He won a close race in the predominantly Democratic district by 35 votes. The next session, several lawmakers introduced bills to eliminate township government in the state altogether. The failure of such bills led Elrod to declare his candidacy for the Indiana State House of Representatives in District 97.
. Carson died on December 15 causing a by-election to be scheduled for March 11, 2008 instead of during the regular election in November. Elrod won the Republican primary and was challenged by Carson's grandson, city councilman
André Carson
who is a member of the Democratic Party and Sean Shepard, as a member of the Libertarian Party. Carson defeated Elrod by 11%.
The short amount of time before the election resulted in an emphasis in fundraising before campaigning can start. The seat was last held by a Republican party member in 1972.
At a press conference, Elrod shared his anger at what he felt was a continued lack of urgency from the Indiana State House of Representatives in addressing the growing public outcry over pressing issues like a recent property tax increase in the state. He stated that, "the Indiana General Assembly was once maligned as the ‘worse deliberative body in the country,’ is at a historic threshold. For the first time in a generation, perhaps two generations, the legislature is poised to pass sweeping bipartisan reforms of local government, spending, and property taxes."
He went on to add, "I recognize the potential of this legislature, and I am excited about the tasks before us this session. When the gavel falls for the last time this winter, I will have experienced great achievement or great disappointment. Indiana will have marched toward fairness and efficiency, or stumbled down the same path of political expediency and special interests."
Elrod said that as someone who never desired to seek higher office the thought of Congress seemed absurd. Especially as a Republican from Center Township. However, he relayed that now more than ever, a need for change motivated him to step forward and announce his candidacy for U.S. Congress.
He cited partisanship, influence-peddling, and wedge issues as the reason for sagging Congressional approval ratings. Elrod then shared, "it is abundantly clear which legislature deserves the title of ‘worst deliberate body in the country.’"
Elrod was endorsed by Senator Richard Lugar and The Indianapolis Star
.
defeated him by a 55% to 45% margin http://www.state.in.us/apps/sos/election/general/general2008?page=district&countyID=-1&officeID=1&districtID=272&candidate=.
Indiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
from District 97.
He was the Republican Party candidate in the Indiana's 7th congressional district special election
Indiana's 7th congressional district special election, 2008
Indiana's 7th congressional district special election of 2008 took place March 11, 2008 to fill the seat in the United States House of Representatives left vacant by the death of 7th district representative Julia Carson on December 15, 2007. The election determined who would fill the vacancy for...
held on March 11, 2008 to fill a vacant seat, losing to Democrat André Carson
André Carson
André D. Carson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since the special election in 2008. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
.
Early years
Jon Elrod grew up on the Southside area of Indianapolis. He graduated from Franklin Central High SchoolFranklin Central High School
Franklin Central High School is a four-year public high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. As of 2010, the high school's enrollment is 2,568 students in grades 9 through 12. It is the only high school under the responsibility of the Franklin Township Community School Corporation. Franklin...
in 1995. In 1999, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
where he majored in History, minored in Performance Studies (Theater). He was president of the Rugby Football Club.
Elrod received a J.D. degree cum laude in 2002 from Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington. He was on the editorial staff of the Indiana Law Journal. While in law school, Elrod studied at the University of London, School of Advanced Legal Studies.
Elrod is an associate at Elrod and Mascher, P.C., a law firm in Indianapolis.
Entrance into politics
Elrod successfully ran for the Center Township Board in 2004. The election of a Republican party member for the board was considered to be at "long odds" by the Indianapolis Star (newspaper).He ran on a platform to streamline local government due to the large disparity between actual funding for poor relief and the overhead operating costs of the Center Township Trustee's Office. At the time, the Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star is a morning daily newspaper that began publishing on June 6, 1903. It has won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting twice, in 1975 and 1991. It is currently owned by the Gannett Company.-History:...
reported in a February 1, 2004 article citing an Indiana Chamber of Commerce Report that the Center Township Trustee spent $2.35 for every $1.00 of poor relief provided.
Elrod ran a strong grassroots campaign for an office that he admits very few people knew existed. He won a close race in the predominantly Democratic district by 35 votes. The next session, several lawmakers introduced bills to eliminate township government in the state altogether. The failure of such bills led Elrod to declare his candidacy for the Indiana State House of Representatives in District 97.
State Representative for District 97 (Indiana)
In an election in 2006, Elrod defeated Ed Mahern by 8 votes. Elrod knocked on nearly 6000 doors and gained a reputation for his personal correspondence with voters in what many called an underdog victory.Campaign for U.S. Congress
Elrod declared his candidacy for United States House of Representative for the 7th Congressional District of Indiana on November 15, 2007 which, at the time, was held by Julia CarsonJulia Carson
Julia May Carson , born Julia May Porter, was a member of the United States House of Representatives for from 1997 until her death in 2007 . Carson was the first woman and first African American to represent the 7th District...
. Carson died on December 15 causing a by-election to be scheduled for March 11, 2008 instead of during the regular election in November. Elrod won the Republican primary and was challenged by Carson's grandson, city councilman
Indianapolis City-County Council
The Indianapolis City–County Council is the city legislature of Indianapolis, Indiana and Marion County, known as Unigov. It was formally established in 1970 upon the merger of the city government with the county government. Both the Council and Mayor's office are located within the Indianapolis...
André Carson
André Carson
André D. Carson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since the special election in 2008. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
who is a member of the Democratic Party and Sean Shepard, as a member of the Libertarian Party. Carson defeated Elrod by 11%.
The short amount of time before the election resulted in an emphasis in fundraising before campaigning can start. The seat was last held by a Republican party member in 1972.
At a press conference, Elrod shared his anger at what he felt was a continued lack of urgency from the Indiana State House of Representatives in addressing the growing public outcry over pressing issues like a recent property tax increase in the state. He stated that, "the Indiana General Assembly was once maligned as the ‘worse deliberative body in the country,’ is at a historic threshold. For the first time in a generation, perhaps two generations, the legislature is poised to pass sweeping bipartisan reforms of local government, spending, and property taxes."
He went on to add, "I recognize the potential of this legislature, and I am excited about the tasks before us this session. When the gavel falls for the last time this winter, I will have experienced great achievement or great disappointment. Indiana will have marched toward fairness and efficiency, or stumbled down the same path of political expediency and special interests."
Elrod said that as someone who never desired to seek higher office the thought of Congress seemed absurd. Especially as a Republican from Center Township. However, he relayed that now more than ever, a need for change motivated him to step forward and announce his candidacy for U.S. Congress.
He cited partisanship, influence-peddling, and wedge issues as the reason for sagging Congressional approval ratings. Elrod then shared, "it is abundantly clear which legislature deserves the title of ‘worst deliberate body in the country.’"
Elrod was endorsed by Senator Richard Lugar and The Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star is a morning daily newspaper that began publishing on June 6, 1903. It has won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting twice, in 1975 and 1991. It is currently owned by the Gannett Company.-History:...
.
Campaign for Reelection as State Representative for District 97 (Indiana)
In the 2008 general election, Elrod did not seek a rematch against Carson, deciding to seek reelection in his strongly Democratic constituency. His ability to beat the odds was not enough that year, and Democrat Mary Ann SullivanMary Ann Sullivan
Mary Ann Sullivan is a Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 97th District since 2009.-External links:* official government website* official campaign website* at Project Vote Smart...
defeated him by a 55% to 45% margin http://www.state.in.us/apps/sos/election/general/general2008?page=district&countyID=-1&officeID=1&districtID=272&candidate=.
