PERSON: Jim Banks

U.S. House of Representatives

Member of Congress

James Edward Banks (born July 16, 1979) is an American politician who is the Republican Party nominee for the 2024 U.S. Senate election in Indiana. Currently serving as the U.S. representative for Indiana’s 3rd congressional district since 2017, he previously served as a member of the Indiana Senate from 2010 to 2016.

On January 17, 2023, Banks announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Mike Braun in 2024.

Banks was born in Columbia City, Indiana. Banks graduated in 2004 from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and later received an MBA from Grace College & Seminary. He worked in the real estate and construction industry in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before serving in elected office. Banks serves in the United States Navy Reserve as a Supply Corps officer. From 2014 to 2015, he took a leave of absence from the Indiana State Senate to serve in Afghanistan.

From 2008 to 2010, Banks served on the Whitley County Council from the at-large district. He won the primary after defeating incumbent County Councilman Scott Darley. He was succeeded by Paula Reimers on the County Council. Banks also chaired the Whitley County Republican Party from 2007 to 2011. He was succeeded by Matt Boyd as chair. With assistance from the American Legislative Exchange Council, he has supported right-to-work legislation in Indiana. Banks addressed the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference in 2014 after he was selected as one of their Top 10 Conservatives Under 40.

Banks was first elected to serve in the state Senate for the 17th district in 2010, and upon military deployment to Afghanistan, he took a leave of absence from the state Senate in September 2014. Invoking an Indiana state law that allows state and local officeholders to take leaves of absence during active duty military service, Banks was temporarily replaced by his wife, Amanda Banks, who held the office for the Senate’s 2015 legislative session. He returned to Indiana from overseas duty on April 14, 2015, and resumed his duties as state senator on May 8.

>> Wikipedia