Republican Eric Doden announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne this morning at the Allen County Republican Party Headquarters.
He was introduced by fellow Republican, Allen County Recorder John McGauley. I will have photos and video later this evening.
Press release from the Eric Doden for Mayor Campaign:
Eric Doden announces candidacy for Mayor of Fort Wayne
Today, in the heart of the city he loves and has called home for more than a decade, Eric Doden announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne.
As a result of his more than 200-plus conversations with city residents and an intensive evaluation period in partnership with his mayoral exploratory committee over the past few months, Doden knows the time for a new kind of leadership for Fort Wayne has come.
“Fort Wayne needs the kind of leadership that brings not only ideas on how to transform our city, but a specific plan on how to bring those ideas to life,” he explained. “It’s time to bring about a new generation of innovation and growth here in Fort Wayne. What made our city great before can make it great again – it’s our people who will drive our economic renaissance and rebirth. This is why I launch my campaign now, because I believe Fort Wayne can no longer wait for a mayor who will bring excitement, transparency, innovation and, most importantly, measurable results to our city.”
In announcing his candidacy, Doden outlined three key campaign themes:
- Increasing jobs, local wages and innovation: By building a base of 1,000 entrepreneurs and new businesses in Fort Wayne, Doden plans to reverse the city’s too-long trend of decreasing wages and return Fort Wayne to a city of innovation and opportunity. Attracting more business and entrepreneurs increases the city’s tax base, which in turn increases its ability to provide key services and operate from a position of fiscal responsibility.
- Improving quality of life: Because a city’s quality of life attracts new business and entrepreneurs – as well as retains and grows the businesses already there – Doden pledges to leverage Fort Wayne’s light-lease fund and invest up to $100 million in new city-development projects without raising taxes or increasing city government spending. In addition, because healthy residents and families lead to healthy cities, Doden will strive to improve key facets of living in Fort Wayne, including education and urban development.
- Improving city government efficiency and transparency: For Fort Wayne to be a city of opportunity, it needs to be easier to do business with. As such, Doden will work to remove excessive barriers of regulation and red tape and to operate more seamlessly with county government.
“Through the many conversations I had with people from all walks of life, a clear consensus and desire for change emerged,” he explained. “We’re here today because I believe I’m the person who can bring that change to our city. My leadership and management experience in the world of business, combined with my vision and work ethic, gives voters a refreshing and exciting option as they choose the direction our city takes in 2011 and beyond.”
Doden thanked his family for their support as he spent the past several months exploring the possibility of his candidacy and talking with city residents.
“I would not be here today without the full support of my wife, partner and best friend, Maci, and our four children,” he continued. “As we’ve called this city home for the past 13 years, we know what it’s capable of. I’m here today because the time has come for Fort Wayne to begin realizing its full potential. That’s why everything I do as mayor will be in service of one simple but powerful goal: To make Fort Wayne one of the best cities in the Midwest.”
About Eric Doden
For the past two-plus years, Doden has served as the director of investments at Ambassador Enterprises, a Fort Wayne-based consulting, investment and private equity firm. Prior to joining Ambassador Enterprises, he led the distribution and fabrication arms of Ambassador Steel Corporation.Doden graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law and from Hillsdale College with majors in business finance and Christian Studies. He is a member of the Fort Wayne Chapter of Executive Forums, a current board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a former board member of his local church. He and his wife, Maci, a Fort Wayne attorney, have been married for 12 years and have 4 children. Learn more at ericdoden.com.
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