By ROD KING

For the Northwest News

Fort Wayne resident Eric Doden didn’t throw his hat into the race for governor of Indiana just last week or even last month. He’s been on the 2024 campaign trail for two years with a strategy to make state government more efficient and communities more prosperous.

In remarks April 19 to an audience of over 300 at the Allen County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner at Ceruti’s on Innovation Boulevard in Fort Wayne, Doden told of addressing groups of teenagers and asking them if they expected to remain in their hometown after graduation. “Out of a group of 50 less than half raised their hands,” Doden recalled. “When I asked if they would stay in Indiana, hardly anybody put up a hand.”

“In my discussions with more than 3,000 community leaders throughout the state, their concern was keeping their children and grandchildren at home,” the candidate continued. “One of my priorities is to be proactive in formulating programs that will allow every county and community to have the opportunity to prosper, grow small businesses, attract new people with good jobs and in the process make communities attractive to young people.”

“I’m pro-life and therefore focused on protecting the vulnerable,” the Republican hopeful said.

Doden said he favors zero-cost adoption. His campaign white paper addresses the cost of foster care and explains, “While the upfront financial cost of adopting a child from the foster care system is often manageable for a motivated prospective adoptive family, they still endure far too much hardship — financially and emotionally — in the course of adopting these hard-to-place children.”

As far as more efficient and effective state government, Doden said he proposes to hire 30 professionals experienced in running businesses to head the various state agencies. “Present department heads would be encouraged to apply,” he said. “All of them would be held accountable to the customers they serve.”

“Indiana has a great foundation upon which to build an even better future. That’s where my focus is — the future,” he said.

Doden grew up in Butler, moved to Auburn at age 15 and earned degrees in business finance and Christian studies from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. He also earned a law degree from Valparaiso University.

While studying at Valparaiso he was mentored and coached by Mayor Jon Costas. “That’s when I decided to get in politics and dedicate myself to helping Indiana communities and counties prosper,” Doden said.

Doden is among the announced candidates to replace Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is not eligible to run for a third four-year term in 2024.

Doden has worked for companies such as Ambassador Steel and served in the Gov. Mike Pence administration from 2013-2015 as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.