“Over the past four years, Indiana’s reputation and economy have suffered as the legislature and the governor advanced an extreme agenda,” Harper said. “In the senate, I will always put Hoosiers’ interests ahead of loyalty to party leaders in Indianapolis.”

No candidate filed to run in the Democratic primary on May 3 for the 5th District state senate seat. The district includes all of Pulaski County, as well as portions of Jasper, LaPorte, Porter, and Starke counties. Democratic officials will conduct a caucus later this summer to determine the party’s nominee who will face incumbent Ed Charbonneau, a Republican who has held the seat since 2007.

In announcing his candidacy, Harper stressed his belief that state government must do more to move Indiana’s economy forward and create good-paying jobs.

“This is a great time to be a Hoosier,” Harper said. “Our future is bright, but in order to unlock Indiana’s economic potential, we must strengthen our public education system, make a long-term investment in our roads and bridges, and ensure that all Hoosiers are treated equally and fairly.”

Harper noted particular concern about the Legislature’s “attacks” on public education.

“In 2012, Hoosiers overwhelmingly elected an independent Superintendent of Public Instruction, Glenda Ritz. Unfortunately, the Legislature wasted no time in undermining Ritz’s authority, and it continued to funnel money away from public education. In the state senate, I will support Superintendent Ritz and fight to reverse cuts to public education,” Harper continued.

Jim Harper was born and raised in Valparaiso, and he is a 2001 graduate of Valparaiso High School. He went on to graduate 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.

Harper’s mother, Mary Harper, a Republican, is the Porter County Circuit Court Judge. His father, Bob Harper, a Democrat, is a former Porter County Prosecutor and Commissioner. His step-father, Dave Chidester, also a Democrat, is a Porter County Superior Court Judge.