INDIANA — Rural Hoosier Democrats are running for Statehouse to bring real solutions to their communities and more balanced voices to Indianapolis.
Phil Gift, Dan Skies, Trish Whitcomb, Kurtis Cummings, and Joe Swisher are campaigning to help working Hoosier families access childcare every day, protect rural hospitals, and be advocates for their communities.
Phil Gift is running in District 35, which includes parts of Delaware and Madison counties. Phil is a retired VA nurse with almost 20 years of service in East Central Indiana.
“Phil Gift understands what our veterans and working families go through to access care because he saw it with his own eyes every day for almost 20 years,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. “Phil will use that experience to help our state recruit more healthcare professionals where they’re badly needed — our rural communities.”
Dan Skies is a lifelong member of the Tippecanoe County community and runs in District 41, which includes parts of Lafayette, Frankfort, and Lebanon. Dan served our state in the Indiana National Guard and is a manager at a local family-owned business.
“We’re excited to have Dan Skies in this race to represent his lifelong home,” said Schmuhl. “We need more hard-working Hoosiers in the Statehouse, and Dan will be a leader to protect our water resources, improve rural infrastructure, and grow the economy with the community in mind.”
Trish Whitcomb is running in House District 69 and is looking to restore common sense leadership to the Seymour-based district. It is represented by Jim Lucas, who has been mired in controversy, distractions, and legal issues.
“Trish knows how frustrated her community is with Jim Lucas, and she’s running to end his career in Indianapolis and work for pragmatic, bipartisan solutions for the district,” said Schmuhl. “She’ll fight to increase teacher pay and expand healthcare and childcare availability throughout rural Indiana.”
Kurtis Cummings is a small business owner and successful entrepreneur running to represent southwest Indiana in the Statehouse. District 46 covers parts of Vigo, Clay, Monroe, and Owen County.
“As a successful small business owner, Kurtis Cummings is ready to give back to his community by serving in the Indiana House,” said Schmuhl. “Hoosier families work hard and deserve access to the best opportunities in the Midwest. Kurtis will bring his experience to create jobs and help small businesses succeed. When they are successful, all Hoosiers are.”
Joe Swisher is an Army veteran who served 25 years as an Indiana State Police trooper. Joe is running in District 46 to voice Wabash and Huntington in the State House.
“When his state and country needed him, Joe Swisher answered the call,” said Schmuhl. “Joe has given a life of immense service to Indiana and wants to give back as an advocate for Huntington and Wabash counties at the Statehouse. His years of service with the state police give him the background to be a voice to end drug abuse and truly address mental health for Hoosiers.”
PHIL GIFT, House District 35
(Yorktown/Alexandria/Elwood)
Inc. Elizabeth Rowray
Phil Gift is a registered nurse who retired after 17 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served as a triage RN and patient care manager. His last duty station was the Muncie VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. During his tenure at the VA, Phil was very active in his union, the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1020, where he served as his union’s Legislative Political Coordinator.
Phil was born and raised in Fairmount and graduated from Fairmount High School. Phil
has an associate degree in journalism from Vincennes University, a bachelor’s degree in administrative management from the University of Cincinnati, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ball State University. Phil is running for office to help bring balance back to the Statehouse. Phil can be found online at www.facebook.com/phil4house35
DAN SIKES, House District 41
(Lebanon/Frankfort/Lafayette)
Inc. Mark Genda
Dan Sikes is a native Hoosier who was born and raised in Lafayette. He graduated from Harrison High School in 2002. After graduation, Dan enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard, where he served for three years. Dan received his Associate’s degree in Business Management & Administration in 2013 from Ivy Tech, and in 2021, he obtained his MBA from Purdue University.
Dan currently works as a manager for Reliable Exterminators, a family-owned pest control business. Previously, Dan worked as a sales manager for Red Bull. Dan is running for office to represent all Hoosiers and their families who live in the 41st District. Dan can be found online at www.citizensfordan.org.
KURTIS CUMMINGS, House District 46
(Ellettsville/Spencer/Terre Haute)
Inc. Bob Heaton
Kurtis Cummings is a business owner and former first responder at Medic 206, based out of Bloomington. Kurtis is a lifelong Hoosier and a current Ellettsville resident. He is a successful entrepreneur who has founded two local businesses in the community: Bootstrap Creative and Switchyard Brewing Company.
Kurtis is running for office because he believes in putting the needs of the communities in the 46th District first. He knows the best ideas come from the community, not big corporations. You can find out more about Kurtis online at www.kurtisforindiana.com.
JOE SWISHER, House District 50
(Wabash/Huntington)
Inc. Lorissa Sweet
Joe Swisher has a strong background in serving the people of Indiana and this country. He served in the Army for four years before going to school and earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree. After graduating, he became a photojournalist for the Chicago Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune before becoming an Indiana State Trooper for 25 years. While working for ISP, Joe joined the AirGuard and became activated for two years after 9/11.
Joe lives in Wabash and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. Joe is running for office to be a voice in Indianapolis for rural Hoosiers.
TRISH WHITCOMB, House District 69
(Seymour, Salem)
Inc. Jim Lucas
Trish Whitcomb is a long-time Democrat and a Hoosier since age five who is running to be a voice for the people of House District 69. Trish has long worked in Indiana politics and was a previous president of the Indiana Federation of Democratic Women. She is also a former executive director of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.
Trish is the daughter of Edgar D. Whitcomb, who served as Indiana’s governor from 1969 to 1973. Trish graduated from Seymour High School and Butler University. Trish can be found online at www.whitcomb4indiana.com.
