For Immediate Release: May 3, 2023
Contact: Luke Thomas, press secretary, [email protected]
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (May 3, 2023) – In a first since the launch of the Indiana Republican Party's seminar and leadership training program to increase the engagement of minority Republicans across the state, five program participants will have their name on the ballot for the 2023 general election in November.
Those candidates include:
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Tiffanie Ditlevson, candidate for Fishers City Council and member of the inaugural cohort of the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series
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Cody Eckert, candidate for Greencastle City Council and member of the inaugural cohort of the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series
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Ronald Morrell, Jr., candidate for mayor of Marion and member of the 2023 cohort of the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series
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Shirlene C. Olson, candidate for mayor of Crown Point and member of the 2022 cohort of the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series
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Desmont Upchurch, candidate for mayor of South Bend and member of the 2022 cohort of the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series
The program, the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series (IRDLS), was launched in 2020. Now in its third cohort, the nationally-recognized initiative continues to provide the preparation and necessary resources to increase the civic engagement of minority Republicans throughout the state and bring them into leadership positions.
"Last night's primary election results were another historic milestone for our program and its participants," stated Kyle Hupfer, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. "While we still have work to do as a party to ensure that we continue to grow, we'll use this momentum to further advance the program's mission and build upon our already deep bench of talent."
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