Deckard announces campaign for re-election to Monroe County Council

Trent Deckard, At-Large Member, Monroe County Council, announced he would be seeking re-election this evening via Facebook Live after the Canopy of Lights Ceremony. 

Deckard has served on the Monroe County Council since 2019, when he first won a caucus election by Democratic precinct committee chairs to replace Lee Jones who was elected to serve as county commissioner in the 2018 election. Deckard went on to be nominated during the 2020 primary and won in a competitive election in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his service, Deckard was elected by his council colleagues to the position of president pro-tempore for the years of 2022 and 2023. Beyond his council work, Deckard is a faculty member in business communication at the IU Kelley School of Business and a third-year Ph.D. student in global leadership at Saint Mary-of-the Woods College. He is married to Kyla Cox Deckard and together they have two daughters, Madeline and Lucy.

He releases the statement below: 

"Tonight, I am happy to share with my friends and neighbors in Monroe County that I will be a candidate for one of three at-large seats on the Monroe County Council during the 2024 election.

My wife Kyla and I chose to make this announcement after the Canopy of Lights alongside our family. This cherished annual event of lighting our timeless square is a favorite of the year and a tradition for our family. The lighting of the Canopy is symbolic in so many ways. It reflects a time and place where all people come together while finding commonality, joy, and delight despite the darkness. On this night we enthusiastically light the way towards the future and caring for family, friends, neighbors, and strangers while stuffing buses with toys and gathering canned goods for those experiencing hunger.

To me, this is precisely the good nature of who we are as a community and how we should be in the days ahead. Nights like this give me hope. I still believe that the troubled state of our politics and current events should heed the lessons from a night just like this. I still believe that elected officials can and should work together alongside residents. That when they do, they can do great things for their community. That these great things, when carried out in a collaborative spirit, are the best way to serve and honor those we represent.

I am humbled to represent all of Monroe County on the county council since 2019. It has been a privilege to do the people’s work on a large swath of tough issues in one of the most difficult times for our community. We’ve had challenging days during my service, and I suspect there are still days ahead that will be trying. Still, I’ve studied our history over the nine generations my family has lived in Monroe County. We’ve been through a lot and we’ve overcome, grown, and thrived when collaborative spirits lead us vigorously. This can be that time.   

It is a pure delight to be among the community as part of that process of moving things forward in my own positive way. We will have many opportunities to discuss my commitments related to our community's vital issues, but for tonight, I wanted to start with word to friends and neighbors that I am running and I hope to earn your support."

For more information, visit https://www.trentdeckard.com.