Dr. Westerhausen
Will Fight
For You
2020 VISION for a HEALTHY INDIANA: Education, Healthcare & Environment
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2020 vision for a healthy Indiana
Education, Healthcare & Environment
Dear Mishawaka and Granger Neighbors,
I am excited and proud to announce my candidacy for the Indiana House of Representatives District #5, comprising most of Harris Township, Mishawaka as well as part of Penn Township (Mishawaka and Granger).
The current Statehouse Representative is part of the Republican party which is out of touch with the challenges Hoosiers face. They offer outdated strategies for prospering in a 21st century world. I feel passionately about three critical issues that are not being addressed by the state legislature: PUBLIC EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE and the ENVIRONMENT.
Public education is the bedrock of our democracy and should be supported with action and transparency, not lip service. Over the last 10 years, public school funding has not kept up with inflation while taxpayer money is increasingly siphoned off to unregulated voucher, charter, and virtual schools. Indiana is last in the country—51st behind Puerto Rico—in public school teacher salary increases over the last 10 years. It is time we elect a representative in District 5 who will truly advocate for public education and support public school teachers, so we better prepare our children for success in this century.
Indiana’s healthcare priorities are misplaced. We see it in the declining health of Hoosier children and women reflected in our state’s high rate of infant and maternal mortality, placing Indiana in the bottom 10 states in the nation. Instead of wasting taxpayer money on a lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act, legislators should be protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions without increasing insurance premiums, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, and expanding benefits for addiction and mental healthcare treatment.
Our health is related to our environment. It is time that District 5 has a representative who understands the connection between access to quality medical care, clean air, clean water, and positive healthcare outcomes. For example, if we transition from coal to renewable sources for our energy needs over the next two decades, it will not only improve air quality by decreasing carbon emissions by billions of tons, but it will also save Indiana consumers billions of dollars. Legislation like this is good for business, good for the environment, and most importantly good for all Hoosiers.
I am a physician who has served this community for almost 30 years. My wife and I raised three children here. I am invested in this area and in Indiana as a whole. I want to serve in the Indiana State House of Representatives to provide much-needed, long-overdue positive change. It will not be easy, but I am up for the challenge. I am asking for your vote and your support so that we can raise Indiana up, out of the cellar, in important everyday issues for all Hoosiers. It’s time we invest in our future and adapt policies that lead the nation in public education, healthcare protection, and clean energy. With your help, we can begin that journey.
Thank you,
Donald R. Westerhausen, Jr., MD
2020 campaign buzz
Time for change
I feel passionately about three critical issues that are not being addressed by the state legislature:
PUBLIC EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE and the ENVIRONMENT.
Community Is everything...
Local Endorsements
Our state deserves the opportunity to have a wonderful person like Don be the next Representative for District 5.
Senator Joe Donnelly - February 28, 2020
Mel Hall
Partner SnowBridge Capital
Candidate United States Congress for Indiana 2nd District
Former president, CEO, and Chairman Press Ganey Associates
Striving to ensure all working people are treated fairly, with decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs, dignity, and equal opportunities. Helping people acquire valuable skills and job-readiness for the 21st century economy. Operating the largest training network outside the U.S. military.
Executive Director Project Impact South Bend; Former Chairman SCORE Michiana, a nonprofit association of local volunteers with the mission to grow successful small businesses in Michiana; Owner of The Summers Group, specializing in community revitalization through entrepreneurship.
The UAW has been a leader in the struggle to secure economic and social justice for all people. The UAW has been actively involved in every civil rights legislative battle since the 1950s. The UAW also has played a vital role in passing such landmark legislation as Medicare and Medicaid, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Employee Retirement Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. In Washington and state capitols, the UAW is fighting for better schools for kids, secure health care and pensions for retirees, clean air and water, tougher workplace health and safety standards, stronger worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance laws and fairer taxes.
The Iron Workers strive to bring justice to the lives of workers everywhere through bigger paychecks, better health and retirement benefits, more secure jobs and safe working conditions. I am proud to receive their endorsement and will continue to advocate for Hoosier working families.
We support progressive public servants in our local communities and candidates for the state legislature.
Better Government.
We strive to elect leaders committed to inclusive government and responsive representation to help Indiana meet future challenges and opportunities.
Better Indiana.
We believe we have a shared responsibility for the future of our state and support organizations that strive to improve the lives of all Hoosiers.
I am proud to have the support of Sherriff Bill Redman of the St. Joseph County, IN Police Department.
That’s why they say with confidence—We Do it Right the First Time!
Moms Demand Action is the nation’s largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence in America. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families.
Dale “Woody” Emmons 1st District, City of Mishawaka Common Council Members
Mike Compton 5th District, City of Mishawaka Common Council Member
Ron Banicki 6th District, City of Mishawaka Common Council Member
Gregg Hixenbaugh At-Large, City of Mishawaka Common Council Member
Matt Mammolenti At-Large, City of Mishawaka Common Council Member
Deborah Ladoga-Block, City of Mishawaka City Clerk
Lynn Coleman
Faith based community organizer for social justice, retired Assistant Chief of Police in South Bend, former Assistant to the Mayor of South Bend, former candidate Indiana 2nd Congressional District and also Mayor of South Bend.
As your State Representative, I will fight and protect working family rights in Indiana.
