Jake Teshka defeats incumbent in District 7 race
Republican challenger Jake Teshka defeated incumbent Ross Deal, a Democrat, for Indiana's District 7 race.
Deal was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives on December 20, 2018 to fill the term after Rep. Joe Taylor III retired. Jake Teshka is the 5th District Common Council Representative on the South Bend Common Council and is the only sitting Republican.
We spoke with both candidates after the polls closed but before a winner was declared.
“When we really focus on the things that bring us together rather than the things that divide us we can find a lot of common ground and I found that on the doorsteps of voters this summer,” Teshka said.
“I can assure you that when I go to work every day, I go to work for every person in this district—Republican, Democrat, whether you like me or don’t,” Deal said.
Ross Deal
Professional:
- On his second year serving as Indiana State Rep. District 7; serves on the Roads and Transportation; Employment, Labor and Pension; Agriculture and Rural Development committees
- Currently an agent with State Farm Insurance
- U.S. Marine Corps veteran
- Small business owner for 29 years
- Supports organized labor, environmental and agricultural concerns, public schools and teachers
- Served as member of the Mishawaka Police Department
- Served on Mishawaka City Council
- Served as a member of the Mishawaka-Penn Harris Library board of trustees, board of directors of Mishawaka Education Foundation
Personal:
- Father of four adult children
Priorities:
- Make healthcare and prescription drugs more accessible and affordable
- Improve public education and accountability measures put in place by the state; increase teacher pay
- Bring better paying jobs, increase wages
Click here for Ross Deal’s campaign website.
Jake Teshka
Professional:
- Sits on Board of Directors of South Bend Transpo and the South Bend Redevelopment Commission
- Currently works as a Business Development Officer
- Earned Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana; earned Masters of Public Affairs through Indiana University
- 2012: Became the Executive Director of the Saint Joseph County Republican Party; during his tenure, Republicans in the county regained control of the Board of County Commissioners
Personal:
- Teshka and his wife live on South Bend’s Southeast side with their two children
- Member of Kiwanis
- Volunteers has a reading coach with United Way
- Member of Granger Community Church
- Pro-life
Priorities:
- Drive more education funding into classrooms
- Push for mental health services
- Bring high-paying jobs to Saint Joseph County