Bill Dixon

SYRACUSE — Declaring that the district deserves better than it has received, Bill Dixon of Syracuse announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for State Representative from the 22nd District Sunday.

The district includes all or most of Kosciusko County plus Jackson, Locke, and Union Townships in Elkhart County. Elkhart County towns in the district include Nappanee and New Paris.

The legislative seat is currently held by Curt Nisly.

“This race is very unusual,” said Dixon. “My opponent is not a bad man. As a person, he has the highest morals and character. He believes passionately in two issues: stopping abortion and promoting gun rights. He has overplayed his hand on these two issues so badly no other member of the House, Republican or Democrat, will work with him on any issue. His oppressive demands on these two issues have offended all other legislators. The House is a collaborative body. If no one will collaborate with you, it must be an extremely lonely place. Unfortunately, when my opponent decided to throw away his influence, he also threw away any voice the district might have too.”

Dixon notes several critical issues that require state attention, that would have failed if not for a neighboring State Representative taking an interest. Most notably, Dixon called attention to his opponent’s absence of influence in helping with the leaking dam in Syracuse, and continuing lack of guidance on the US 30 expansion project.

These problems reshape the issues important in this campaign. While each voter probably feels passionate about particular issues, no voter will be heard on any issue if the legislator has alienated the rest of the Statehouse.

It is Dixon’s opinion his opponent has so alienated the other members of the House, the Republican leadership will certainly erase the district through redistricting in 2022 if his opponent remains in office. “…My campaign is the only way to possibly prevent the area from losing its member of the House.

“One only has to look at funding for area school systems to see that the district is now like a lamb in a wolves’ den. Every school system in the 22nd District now receives funds in the bottom 20% of state spending-per-pupil. When that spending plan passed the House, schools here were plundered simply because of who represented the district,” said Dixon.

Finally, Dixon called attention to his opponent’s affection for states rights arguments, in which states may simply ignore rulings of the federal government they don’t like. “You cannot pretend the Supreme Court does not exist, and you can’t simply tell the federal government that their rulings have no authority in Indiana. My opponent’s preference for this argument is dangerous and, taken to the extreme level my opponent supports, will put 21st century Indiana in the same place as Alabama and Mississippi in 1960.”

Dixon will appear on the May 2020 primary ballot. He hopes voters will not be confused and expect him on the municipal ballot this November.

Those wishing to know more about Bill Dixon’s campaign may find him on Facebook, or telephone him at (574) 275-2039.