Ethan Lawson
GREENFIELD — Conservative Republican Ethan Lawson recently announced his candidacy for state representative for Indiana House District 53, which includes Hancock County and parts of Madison County, seeking the positions after State Rep. Bob Cherry announced he will retire in 2024.
Lawson said that from his public service with elected officials, he understands the legislative process and how to advocate for “common-sense policies.” Lawson also said in the press release that he has learned the value of service to others, hard work and entrepreneurship by cutting grass and growing and selling crops at local farmer’s markets while also learning a trade in a small-town manufacturing business.
“Hoosiers business leaders are the drivers of Indiana’s economy, not government. I saw how hard it is to run a company and got the fulfillment of making something that helped other people’s quality of life,” Lawson said. “I learned how important it is to keep taxes low and get government out of the way to allow Hoosiers to innovate and create jobs. I also learned that anything worth doing is worth the hard work needed to get results, a lesson I’d take with me to the state legislature.”
Lawson works for the Indiana National Guard and serves as the vice chair and a precinct committee member for the Hancock County Republican Party and has in the past served as state executive director and a county chair for the Indiana Young Republicans and as a delegate to multiple state Republican conventions. He is also a member of Indiana Farm Bureau and the NRA.
“I’m a husband, lifelong Hoosier, and a common-sense conservative,” said Lawson in the press release. “Thanks to liberals in Washington, D.C., money is tight, and inflation is high. In our state legislature, I will continue Representative Cherry’s work making sure Indiana is a model of sanity in the country.”
Lawson said that Rep. Cherry’s leadership is a model of selfless service and he is committed to continuing his work on delivering conservative solutions and working with Sen. Mike Crider to “be a workhorse for Hancock and Madison counties.”
Lawson wants to combat inflation in Indiana by examining the impact of taxes, including property taxes for people on fixed income. He also said that empowering people with workforce opportunities and skills to build the life they want is vital.
Lawson also believes it is important to “fight China’s deadly fentanyl that they’re trafficking across our southern border” and focus on local drug enforcement and recovery support.
“We also must also provide the tools for responsible growth, helping communities access much needed resources including infrastructure support and public safety resources while maintaining our community character and agricultural roots,” Lawson said.
With his work for the Indiana National Guard, Lawson said he understands the importance of supporting those who keep the nation safe and is committed to standing with the military and the Indiana General Assembly’s work to exempt military pay from Indiana income taxes, having an impact for soldiers and airmen.
Chairing Lawson’s campaign committee is Dan Riley, who is also Greenfield City Council president. Riley said he looks forward to seeing Lawson serve in Indianapolis with Sen. Crider.
“Ethan is a great Republican, public servant, and more importantly a man of integrity and values,” said Riley in the press release. ”
Working his way through college, the press release said that Lawson graduated from Western Governors University with a degree in business and is currently completing a master’s degree in business administration.
Lawson is married to Holly, a Mt. Vernon schools and Ball State graduate, and they built their home near Greenfield. They are members at Otterbein Methodist Church. While being active in the community, this is Lawson’s first time running for public office.
“I’m a first-time candidate, but I’m passionate about public service. I’m committed to a grassroots campaign of talking with folks across the district to listen to the concerns they have for our state and how we can work together on conservative solutions,” Lawson said.
The Republican primary is May 7, 2024. Also running for state representative is Keely Butrum, who holds a seat on the Hancock County Council, and Brian Evans, who announced he is running for the seat in November 2023.
To learn more about Lawson, visit LawsonForIndiana.com.
