Jim Banks
| Jim Banks | |
|---|---|
 Headshot of Indiana State Senator Jim Banks | |
| Member of the Indiana Senate from the 17th district | |
|
Assumed office November 16, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Gary “Doc” Dillon |
| Succeeded by | Amanda Banks (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 16, 1979 Columbia City, Indiana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Amanda |
| Residence | Columbia City, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington (B.A.), Grace College & Seminary (M.B.A.) |
| Occupation | Commercial Real Estate |
| Awards | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
| Website |
www |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 2012–Present Navy Reserves |
| Rank | Lieutenant Junior Grade |
| Unit | U.S. Navy Supply Corps |
| Battles/wars | Afghanistan War |
Jim Banks (born July 16, 1979) is an American politician and Republican member of the Indiana Senate. Banks was first elected to serve in the chamber for the 17th district in 2010, and upon military deployment to Afghanistan, he took a leave of absence from the state senate since September 2014.[1] Invoking an Indiana state law which allows state and local officeholders to take leaves of absence during active duty military service, Banks was temporarily replaced by his wife, Amanda Banks, who held the office for the senate's 2015 legislative session.[2][3] He returned to Indiana from overseas duty on April 14, 2015[4] and resumed his duties as state senator on May 8, 2015.[5]
Political career
With assistance from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) he has supported right-to-work legislation in Indiana.[6]
Banks addressed the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 9, 2014, after he was selected as one of their Top 10 Conservatives Under 40.[7]
Banks worked for NAI Harding Dahm, which was acquired by Bradley Company. Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan he was a broker in their Fort Wayne, Indiana office.[8] He formerly worked in Business Development for The Hagerman Group, a commercial and industrial construction company.
Prior to his election as state senator he served as a member of the Whitley County Council from 2009 to 2010.
2016 U.S. Congress campaign
On May 12, 2015, Banks announced his intention to run for Indiana's Third Congressional District.[9] The incumbent, Congressman Marlin Stutzman announced he would not run for reelection and would instead campaign for the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Indiana Senator Dan Coats.[10] Banks' congressional campaign was endorsed by the fiscally conservative Club for Growth.[11]
Banks won the primary election, separating himself from five other like-minded conservative opponents for the open seat, with 34 percent of the vote. Spending in the campaign exceeded $2 million as Banks raised $850,000 prior to the primary election and the candidate who finished in second place, businessman Kip Tom, raised $950,000 including $150,000 he loaded from his personal funds.[12]
References
- ↑ Hannah Troyer; Indianapolis Star (December 8, 2014). "Amanda Banks fills husband’s Senate seat while he’s in Afghanistan". indystar.com.
- ↑ Dan Carden; The Times of Northwest Indiana (July 9, 2014). "State senator deploying to Afghanistan" (PDF). nwitimes.com.
- ↑ Brandon Smith (December 16, 2014). "Amanda Banks Sworn In As New State Senator". wfyi.org.
- ↑ "State Senator returns from deployment in Afghanistan". WANE.com. April 21, 2015.
- ↑ Niki Kelly; Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (May 9, 2015). "Banks rejoins state Senate after military deployment". journalgazette.net.
- ↑ "National Group Pushes Indiana 'Right-To-Work' Law: American Legislative Exchange Council Backs Bill". WRTV Indianapolis. December 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Sen. Banks to speak at CPAC". Fort Wayne Jounal Gazette. March 5, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.bradleyco.com/about/our-offices/fort-wayne/
- ↑ Brian Francisco; Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (May 12, 2015). "Banks announces candidacy for Congress". journalgazette.net.
- ↑ Brian Francisco; Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (May 10, 2015). "Stutzman enters Senate race". journalgazette.net.
- ↑ Groppe, Maureen (September 18, 2015). "Club for Growth endorses Jim Banks for congress". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ↑ Brian Francisco; Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (May 4, 2016). "Banks' support in key counties puts him over top". journalgazette.net.