Text of the Press Release Issued by Derek Pillie this morning at the press conference confirming his candidacy. The Pillie press conference was held at Allen County Republican Headquarters.
Derek Pillie announced his candidacy this morning for the 84th House District seat today and expressed his determination to fight for effective, results-oriented government policies.
Pillie said, “My fellow Hoosiers have spoken loudly, clearly and repeatedly that they want government to be smarter about the ways it spends their money. They want us to spend less of their money and they want us to spend it... on the tasks that government should be doing and nothing else. I understand that, I believe that and I will fight for that at the Statehouse.”
Citing his conservative credentials and commitment to smaller, local government, Pillie announced his candidacy with his family before a group of supporters at Allen County GOP Headquarters in Fort Wayne.
Fort Wayne City Councilman Tom Didier (R-3rd) offered his endorsement of Pillie’s candidacy. In a statement read at the press conference Didier said, “I’ve known Derek Pillie for the last seven years and I believe he would do the best job for the residents of the 84th District. He is the kind of person that cares about his community and we need to send to the Statehouse.”
Mr. Pillie will file declarations of candidacy Friday at the Statehouse to fill both the vacancy in the remaining months in the 2008-2010 term and the candidate vacancy for the Republican nomination for the 2010-2012 term.
A biography issued by the campaign:
Derek A. Pillie, 34 (born June 9, 1976), has worked on behalf of the citizens of northern Indiana for nearly a decade. Since 2000, Derek has served on the staff of Indiana's Third Congressional District, most recently as District Director. In that role, he oversees Indiana operations of the office, including constituent outreach and helping taxpayers solve problems with federal agencies. He also worked on crucial economic development projects including the preservation of hundreds of jobs at magnet wire facilities in Fort Wayne, protecting veterans' access to local inpatient care and ensuring the long-term survival of the Air National Guard presence at Fort Wayne International Airport.
While attending The George Washington University, Derek developed an interest in public service while interning for a member of Congress. Prior to joining Indiana’s Third Congressional District staff, Derek worked in the offices of Congressman Ken Calvert, R-Calif. and former Congressman Jon Fox, R-Penn.
Derek, a native of Sellersville, Penn., married his wife Janay in September 2000. She is a native of Avilla, Indiana in Noble County. They are the parents of Emma, 8, and Nathan, 6, and live in the Blackhawk neighborhood in northeast Fort Wayne.
In addition to his professional involvements, Derek is President of the Serra Club of Fort Wayne, a member of the Redeemer Radio capital campaign board and active in Allen County Right to Life. The Pillies are members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish.
Photo: Mr. Pillie is shown with his daughter, Emma.
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