Why Jon?
Why Jon Costas is the best Candidate for Attorney General
Jon is qualified and prepared to serve as Indiana’s lawyer
Jon Costas is one of a very distinguished and select group of attorneys who are Board certified as Elder Law specialists. Jon successfully represents the fastest growing segment of our society, senior citizens, by protecting their rights and representing their interests. Jon has a distinguished career as an attorney, representing and working on difficult and high profile cases for some of the world’s largest corporations. Jon graduated from Valparaiso University Law School with honors and was recruited by Barnes & Thornburg, one of the state’s largest and respected firms. While with the firm, his efforts were focused on major corporate issues as well as assisting the mayor of Indianapolis. Although he was on track to become a partner of the Indianapolis firm, local issues related to the family business called Jon back to Valparaiso where he built and maintained a successful local practice.Jon is a leader with vision and a commitment to action
It takes more than bureaucratic skills to run the state’s law firm. Jon’s ability to focus on performance and build a strong team to empower new ideas and commitment to service has been recognized and lauded by Indiana’s press.In January, 2008, the Northwest Indiana Times said,
New mayors have been elected in Crown Point, Hobart, Lake Station, Portage and LaPorte. They would do well to look to Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas' example for guidance.
When Costas was elected in 2003, he spent the first months of his administration drafting a strategic plan for the city. Now in his second term, Costas is drafting a new strategic plan.
The plan itself is worth examining. It sets the city's strategy on a variety of issues, from environment to public works to public safety to economic development and more.
But the process, too, is worth noting.
Costas involved the City Council, his administration and members of the public in drafting this plan. Benchmarks were set. And then the appropriate city leaders agreed to the plan.That might not seem like a difficult concept -- city officials working together for the good of the community -- but it is foreign in some communities in the region.
Too often, all four years of a mayor's or council member's term is spent haggling over issues that should have been decided years ago. That political infighting makes it difficult for a community to see progress.
Jon will bring the same leadership skills to running the state’s law office. He knows that taxpayers of this state demand accountability, reliability and responsibility from its state agencies. He has demonstrated his ability to provide vision, leadership and action and will bring the same to the job of our Attorney General.
Jon is a proven winner
Running for public office successfully is a statement that the voters respect and endorse your platform and your capabilities. Jon defeated a twenty year incumbent and has successfully run for mayor twice, and previously was elected to the city council in his home city of Valparaiso. Even more important is the wide range of organizations that chose to endorse Jon for election. Jon is a “bridge builder” who campaigns and wins with broad support from traditional conservative organizations, labor and business groups, and voters. His record of success as a candidate shows that he connects with voters and gains their confidence. Jon brings the community together with his record of leadership, vision and action.
