2015 Election Cycle
Fort Wayne Mayoral Candidate
Mitch Harper
Mitch Harper was born in 1956 in Fort Wayne and has been a lifelong resident of Allen County.
His great, great grandfather, William, settled in Allen County in 1834 after emigrating from
Ireland. Mitch Harper was married in 1989 to Dawn Wilson and they reside in the Barrington
Lake neighborhood. Mitch is an attorney; Dawn is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mitch Harper currently serves on the Fort Wayne City Council; he was first elected in 2007. He
served as State Representative from 1978 through 1990, honoring his term limit pledge of six
terms and did not run for reelection.
As Fort Wayne’s next mayor, Mitch Harper will focus on permanent jobs that will provide a
foundation for our future economy and guard the legacy fund from unnecessary spending.
He will put an end to crony capitalism and will restore a model for fairness, equity, and
competition that will protect taxpayers and ensure the best work product on city projects.
It's time to end wasteful spending and fund the basics first while improving the quality of life
for residents by delivering on projects that will have a positive impact for our neighborhoods,
especially those areas that have been neglected for years.
Fort Wayne City Clerk Candidate
Lana Keesling
Lana holds an executive position in a Fort Wayne company managing finance, information
technology, and human resources. Prior to that, she was a small business owner for ten
years. Lana holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and an MBA.
Lana is a Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Alumna, and was named Volunteer of
the year for the Girls Scouts Northern Indiana Michiana in 2009. She serves on the Metro
Human Relations Commission and is the President of the Allen County Purdue University
Extension Advisory Board. In addition, she is the Vice Chairman of the Allen County
Republican Women’s Group and a member of the Downtown GOP Club. Lana also is endorsed
by Right to Life.
As an entrepreneur, businessperson, community leader, mom, and volunteer, she brings a
unique perspective for many different avenues of community involvement. She believes it is
the right time to offer a new voice that will make a positive impact on the leadership of Fort
Wayne.
Website: LANAKEESLING.COM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LanaKeeslingCityClerk
Fort Wayne Council At-Large
John Crawford
Born in 1949 in New Orleans to John and Meddie Crawford, John graduated in 1968 from
Louisiana State University in New Orleans and in 1972 from LSU Medical School. He
completed an internship and residency in radiation oncology at Medical College of Virginia in
Richmond, Va., where he was named Chief Resident.
John moved to Fort Wayne in 1976 to enter private practice, working with cancer patients
utilizing radiation therapy. He has been active in a number of community organizations,
including on the boards of Allen County Cancer Society and Fort Wayne Healthy Cities
Committee. He is currently Medical Director of Radiation Oncology Services at Parkview
Regional Oncology Center.
John has been active in the Allen County Republican Party, previously serving on the financial
committee, and has been involved in many Republican candidates’ campaigns. First elected to
Fort Wayne City Council in 1995, John served 12 years and was the council’s President three
times. He came back to council in 2011 and has served four more years. A strong fiscal
conservative, John has fought to limit the size and scope of city government.
John married Marcia Mitson in 1994. They live on the northeast side of Fort Wayne with their
18-year-old son, Grant, who is serving as John’s campaign chairman for the upcoming season.
In addition to his professional life, John is an avid reader and a competitive tennis player.
Fort Wayne Council At-Large
Michael Barranda
Michael is an attorney by trade and a proven leader of the community. He has been active in
many volunteer activities including serving on the Boards of Directors for the Greater Fort
Wayne Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Hospital, Olive B. Cole Foundation, Young Leaders
of Northeast Indiana, and Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.
Barranda is a founding Governor of the St. Thomas More Society. He has served local
government on the Joint Permitting Oversight Committee, helping to streamline development
opportunities. Other volunteer service includes the Building Contractors Association, Big
Brothers Big Sisters, Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana, and the Fort Wayne Area PTA.
He has been active in the Allen County Republican Party, including serving as a Precinct
Committee Chairman and membership on the Allen County Young Republicans and the
Downtown GOP Club. He is supporter of Allen County Right to Life.
Website: MichaelBarranda.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/michaelbarranda
Fort Wayne Council At-Large
Tom Freistroffer
Tom Freistroffer is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana and he attended Cathedral elementary and
Central Catholic High School. He went on to Notre Dame University in 1969 on a 4-year
scholarship to play football for the ND team and major in the social sciences. He earned a
Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Indiana.
From 1973 to 1988 he was a teacher and coach, as taught US History, World History, and
Government. He gained an interest in politics, by teaching government classes and taking
political science classes from the University of Notre Dame. He served on the Fort Wayne
Board of Appeals for 2 years. He ran for City Council At Large in 2011 and lost by less than
1 % of the vote. He has a wife, Beth, and 4 children and 6 grandchildren. He owns and
operates two businesses; Freistroffer Appraisal Service and Freistroffer and Associates Realty.
Fort Wayne Council 1st District
Paul Ensley
Growing up in Fort Wayne, Paul Ensley learned valuable life lessons about hard work, playing
by the rules, and what it means to serve others. Now, Paul Ensley wants to apply these
important life lessons to his service on the Fort Wayne City Council. As a graduate of Bishop
Dwenger and an honor graduate from the University of St. Francis Paul has worked his entire
adult life right here in Fort Wayne. As a Controller for a growing regional health and nutrition
store, Paul Ensley understands the value of a dollar and wants to protect taxpayers from
wasteful spending and fight growing government. As our next city councilman, Paul Ensley
will also promote economic growth and work to end policies that lead to crony capitalism that
benefit a few special interests rather than the people of Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne needs a fresh
voice and a conservative leader who will focus on delivering for the taxpayers.
Fort Wayne Council 2nd District
Russ Jehl
Russ and his wife Monica are lifelong residents of Fort Wayne, where they are raising two
young children, Will and Anna. Russ is a commercial real estate agent with NAI Bradley and
has assisted over 250 businesses start up, expand, and relocate in Fort Wayne.
Russ is also very active in other areas of community service as a board member of the Fort
Wayne Sports Corporation, the Parkview Select Committee, and is an active member of
Fellowship Missionary Church. He volunteered seven years as a soccer coach for Concordia.
Fort Wayne Council 3rd District
Tom Didier
Tom Didier was elected to his first term in 2003 to serve Fort Wayne City Council's 3rd
District. He served as President of Council for 2013. Currently he co-chairs the Council's
Finance Committee.
Tom Didier's primary goal is to make Fort Wayne a prime destination for increased jobs and
tourism revenue. To that end, he is focusing on how Fort Wayne markets itself to visiting
families. One specific area Didier wants to improve is the signage on the principal gateway to
the city, Interstate 69.
To effectively market Fort Wayne as a premier destination for tourists and employers, Didier
plans to focus on community assets such as the outstanding park system, the vibrant arts
community, active neighborhoods, and the educational resource for children-Science Central,
located in the 3rd District.
As a salesman for U.S. Foodservice, Didier works with small business leaders throughout the
city on a daily basis. He understands what a small business needs to grow and expand. He
spends his workday solving problems that arise for customers and knows that the best solution
to a problem is not a "quick fix."
Tom Didier was born and raised in Fort Wayne. He is actively involved in the Catholic Church
and sings at many community events. Most notably, he sings the national anthem at home
games for the Fort Wayne Komets hockey team. Didier is a member of the Becketts' Ridge
Neighborhood Association. He is a graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School.
Fort Wayne Council 4th District
Jason Arp
Jason resides in Aboite with his wife of 12 years Cindy and his two daughters.
Jason worked for Bank of America from 1997 to 2006 and is currently self employed as a
private investor. Jason has been involved in politics for several years as a precinct
committeeman and is the executive director of Indiana Conservatives Election PAC. Most
recently, Jason was the campaign manager for Christopher Judy during his State Representative
campaign in District 83.