NE Indiana News

James Miller is running for the Republican nomination to serve on the DeKalb County Commission representing the East District for a four-year term. The primary election will be held on May 7.

As The Star reported, Miller announced his candidacy in June 2023. He is running as a Republican, and he characterizes himself as a fiscal conservative committed to "responsible use of tax dollars, well thought out budgeting and careful planning for future growth and investment.”

According to The Star, Miller addressed some of the challenges facing residents of DeKalb County in a news release. "Access to reliable high-speed internet in rural areas, a back log of drainage work, funding for county road repair and improvements and the jail situation are just a few of the issues that we’ll need to deal with," he said. "We need vision, long-range planning and a professional approach in governing to create the kind of community where people want to live, work and raise families.”

Miller has been a member of numerous boards, including the Smithfield Township Advisory Board, DeKalb High School Ag Advisory Board, and DeKalb County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. His previous roles include serving on the DeKalb Central school board, Indiana School Board Association Board of Directors, and County Plan Commission. Miller has also worked with a number of community service organizations including 4-H and DeKalb County HOPE (Helping Our Pupils Excel).

As reported by KPC News, Miller and his wife, Diana, live in rural Waterloo, and they have four children and 12 grandchildren. Miller — a fourth-generation farmer — and his family were recognized in 2017 as Indiana Farm Family of the Year. Miller and his son Tom recently received the Golden Owl Award for their volunteer work with FFA, and for almost 30 years, the Miller family has awarded an annual scholarship to a DeKalb High School graduating senior.

According to the DeKalb County Commissioners' website, responsibilities of the commissioners include overseeing county activities and operations, addressing citizens' concerns, and ensuring that both state and federal requirements are met. Commissioners also attend weekly county board meetings and County Drainage Board meetings, and one commissioner also sits on the Plan Commission, which is in charge of zoning for the county. The commission is made up of three members — one president and two vice presidents — with each member representing one district.