By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Warsaw attorney Travis McConnell announced on Wednesday, July 6, that he has filed to run for Kosciusko County Prosecutor.

Travis McConnell

McConnell announced his intentions with a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. He confirmed by phone that he had filed to run on Tuesday, but said he did not want to comment further than what was in his statement.

He’ll face Republican Brad Voelz in the November election. Incumbent prosecutor Dan Hampton did not seek reelection.

The statement by McConnell, a 39-year-old Democrat, refers to abuse in the community and accusations against John B. Lowe, founder of New Life Christian Church and World Outreach.

Lowe stepped down as pastor after being confronted on the pulpit and accused by a woman of having sex with her when she was 16.

Some have called for Lowe to be prosecuted. Indiana State Police confirmed they are looking into allegations, but have not announced anything since regarding the case.

“We all watched the courage of the several victims come forward in the aftermath of Bobi Gephart confronting John Lowe II.  And this unfortunately is not the first time we have seen something like this happen in our community,” McConnell said in his statement.

“I am ready to listen when victims report crimes – no matter who the accused are, where they work, or how much money they have or give,” McConnell said.

He also expressed a willingness to not prosecute marijuana possessions involving less than an ounce in order to focus on more serious crimes.

“I am ready to pursue justice for those who seek it from the legal system. I am ready to focus our resources. To stop prosecuting things like simple possession of less than one ounce of marijuana following Indianapolis Prosecutor Ryan Mears example. I am ready to focus those resources on serious crimes,” his statement read.

McConnell ran for county commissioner in 2020 and lost to incumbent Republican Cary Groninger.

McConnell has been a champion of local diversity and helped organize One Warsaw.

He’s married with two children. They live outside of Warsaw.

Below is McConnell’s full statement.