Election Night (Week) a Success for IBA Members

14 Dec Election Night (Week) a Success for IBA Members

The Indiana Builders Association (IBA) members on the ballot found success on November 3 as general election results poured in across the state. After all the votes were counted, IBA will add 2 members to the Indiana General Assembly, with now 10 members of the IBA serving in the Legislature.
Former State Representative Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) unseated State Representative Lisa Beck (D-Hebron) in a rematch from 2 years ago that saw Olthoff lose by a narrow margin. This time around, Olthoff, a member of the HBA of Northwest Indiana and founder of VIA Marketing, won by a 52%-48% margin.

In St. Joe County, Jake Teshka knocked off incumbent State Representative Ross Deal (D-Mishawaka). Teshka works for Interra Credit Union in business development and the firm is a member of two local associations in northern Indiana. Teshka won the race by a 54%-46% margin, or just over 2,000 votes.
In addition to the two above races, IBA members across the state up for election or re-election enjoyed a positive outcome in their respective races. One of the races expected to be the closest was the rematch in Indiana House District 5 between State Representative Dale DeVon (R-Granger) and Dr. Don Westerhausen (D-Mishawaka). DeVon, a home builder and Life Director for the Indiana Builders Association, dispatched of Westerhausen 2 years ago and did the same in the 2020 rematch by a margin of 51% – 49%. Of the over 28,000 votes cast in the race, DeVon’s margin was 426 votes. This race was seen by many political analysts as one of the top 2-3 races that could have switched control, however, DeVon ran a positive campaign with a message that resonated with voters across the district.

“The IBA and its affiliated PAC were extremely pleased with the results on Election Day in Indiana.
Our overall success rate of candidates on both sides of the aisle that we supported was 97%. In a tumultuous election season in 2020, we are excited to have strong pro-growth, pro-housing legislators back in the Indiana General Assembly and in statewide office,” commented Rick Wajda, IBA CEO.

IBA Builder Members and Associate Members elected to serve in the Indiana General Assembly:

• *Sen. Linda Rogers, District 11
• *Sen. Chris Garten, District 45
• *Sen. Mark Messmer, District 48
• Rep. Dale DeVon, District 5
• Rep. Jake Teshka, District 7
• Rep. Julie Olthoff, District 19
• Rep. Jim Pressel, District 20
• Rep. Chuck Goodrich, District 29
• Rep. Heath VanNatter, District 38
• Rep. Doug Miller, District 48

*Up for re-election in 2022