Articles by Josh Lange

By Joshua Lange

My name is Joshua Lange. I am running for the Penn Township Board as a Democrat. As a 7th generation Mishawakan, I have always wanted to do right by our community, and in this role, I will be able to expand my impact. My campaign slogan is “A Voice for Mishawaka.” I want to strengthen our city’s representation, while representing every person in the township.

The most common question I am asked is, “What does the board do?” To answer that, the main responsibilities of the township board are to oversee Fire/EMS services outside of the city limits of Mishawaka and to help provide poor relief. These are two causes that are close to my heart.

I work as an Administrative and Safety Officer for my family’s electrical business, which I helped with since its inception. Our company focuses on safety and security, which means we install fire alarm systems, and we work in conjunction with the fire inspectors to ensure local businesses are up to code. I know firsthand how important fire safety is and will give all available resources to protect the public from fires and give our first responders every possible tool to keep the people safe. My family’s small business is a union contractor, and I am a dues-paying member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 153. This also means I know how to negotiate with the needs of unions in mind, including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

In terms of poor relief, I have volunteered in our community for years, beginning during my time on the Mishawaka Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, where we provided Thanksgiving dinners to over eighty families in one year. We need to give full support to organizations such as the Mishawaka Food Pantry, to ensure that every single resident of Penn Township will be fed and clothed.

My campaign slogan is “A Voice for Mishawaka” because our city is underrepresented on the Penn Township Board. Despite making up 75% of Penn Township’s population and providing roughly the same percentage in terms of taxes taken, the Princess City only has 33% of the board living within the city limits. To better represent the constituents of this township, a vote for my campaign is a vote to give the people of Mishawaka their full voice. That does not mean that I will ignore the needs of non-Mishawakans, as I will serve every constituent whether they live in Osceola or in unincorporated areas of the township.

Local politics are important, and young people should get involved, which is why I am running. I want to make a difference while adding a fresh perspective. If I even help just one person, then I will have succeeded. I want to thank my friends and family who encouraged me to run, as it means everything to me. Vote for Joshua David Lange in the primary on or before May 5 and in the general election on or before November 3!