A local educator and newcomer to public office who says she wants to represent the average, hard-working Hoosier earned the Republican nod for a hotbed Statehouse seat.
Michelle Davis won the highly contested Republican race in the primary election for House District 58, which was previously held by Rep. Woody Burton.
Davis had 43% of the votes, and she faced four other candidates on the ballot: Bruce Armstrong, Heather Bline, Jay Hart and J. David Hopper. She will now face off against Democrat Cindy Reinert in the fall general election.
Davis was emotional Tuesday night after early results predicted she won the primary race. She celebrated with family, friends and her campaign team.
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“We worked really hard,” she said. “I’m honored, humbled, excited to go to the next step … it’s a nice feeling when people believe in you and think that you can do a good job.”
State legislators author and vote on bills that come before the General Assembly, as well as approve the state’s bi-annual budget. District 58 represents parts of Greenwood, Whiteland and New Whiteland in Johnson County.
A lifelong Johnson County resident, Davis has been the Director of Adult Education at Central Nine Career Center in Greenwood for seven years. She served previously as dean of high school students at the vocational school.
Davis loves serving her community, and has said she wants to see more representation of the day-to-day workforce in the General Assembly.
“I want to be the common sense voice for average, working, everyday people,” Davis said.
Education will be Davis’s top priority if she’s elected to the Statehouse in the fall, specifically ensuring that a quality education is provided to all students.
“I want what’s best for the students, focusing on conservative values, and ensuring education dollars go to the classroom,” she said.
Davis, who was endorsed by Burton, also wants to protect taxpayers throughout the state, and would focus her energy on economic development in the aftermath of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced several businesses to close their doors permanently and created record-breaking unemployment.
“We have to focus on ensuring the appropriate priorities are considered in the next budget session,” she said.
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Bruce Armstrong;7%
Heather Bline;4%
Michelle Davis;43%
Jay Hart;33%
J. David Hopper;13%
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