Cooper ready to run for Statehouse seat

Two years ago, Clint Cooper's phone began blowing up when he decided to throw his hat into the political ring. 

Cooper had announced his intentions of running for a seat within the Indiana General Assembly, but did not realize he would be running against Beau Baird, who currently represents District 44 in the General Assembly.

"When I decided to run two years ago and an article came out, I didn't realize that I would quote unquote be running against Beau based upon some things that had been said or trickled out. He and I spoke and immediately after the filing closing, I thought he had put his name for the Congressional seat. I went back over and pulled my name. In that 10 minutes, there was an article published and my phone began blowing up with people offering a lot of support and people happy to help," Cooper told The Putnam County Post.

Fast forward two years, and Cooper's phone is blowing up again with well wishes and offers of support, as he is cemented himself on the ballot to run against Baird in the May Republican Primary for the District 44 seat. Cooper said the well wishes and support has "always stuck in the back of my mind."

"I don't think anyone is born into how to be a legislator, and I believe in term limits. If I win, I wouldn't do more than eight years without moving up or getting out completely," Cooper said.  

Having served previously on several boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, Planning and Zoning and the Fair Board, Cooper said politics has always interested him. 

"Straight out of high school, I went into law enforcement, learned a little about politics there and have always had an interest. I want the people to have a voice and different options for representation," he said. 

Cooper said this marks the first time since the 2018 primary that Baird has faced a Republican challenger. That year, Baird defeated Jess Norton, by a total of 5,131 votes to 2,745. In November, Baird defeated Democrat Kim Fidler. 

"I think it will be an interesting race. Beau has not been contested since the 2018 primary, and I think it will be interesting. It's going well. I have had a ton of outreach and support, and I am ready to get kicked off on the campaign trail. I think it will be a good, clean race and we will let the voters decide," said Cooper, who added he has had a lot of Facebook friend requests since announcing his intention to run. 

When it comes to issues, there are several that Cooper says District 44 is faced with. 

"My hope is people are tuned out and turned off. I am a very public person. I believe if you are an elected public official, you need to be out in the public. I spend a ton of time at sporting events, at First Friday's, at our county fair, and I have worked in Crawfordsville for four years. I have contacts and connections across the district, and I don't care what party you are, if you have questions, approach me and let's talk. A big issue is people don't know they can approach you or are intimidated to do so because of a position you hold. It's all about being available. You cannot represent the people if they have the opinion they cannot come talk to you," he said.

In addition, Cooper pointed to recent attempts to bring solar farms to Putnam County.  

"Number one issue I hear about is the solar farms looking to come into this district. I think there are a ton of alternatives to solar farms. I am not for them or against them, but I am not for them taking up productive crop ground. We have approximately 25 square miles of commercial rooftops in Indiana. If we put solar panels on those it would power 500 to 900 thousand homes. Why can we not look to put them there where they are not an eyesore, impacting people's property values and taking up good farmland," Cooper said. 

And, there is fallout from Senate Bill 1, which was designed to give residents a break on property taxes, but could have significant ramifications on local governments. 

"There are also things being done taking significant money from the City of Greencastle. That is going to put us in a bind, whether it be the taxpayers or the city. We are at a pivotal point where we are going to grow or decline. We have to have some open vision to growth," Cooper said. 

He believes more work needs to be done on Senate Bill 1, and it will take all involved coming to the table and putting ego to the side for the betterment of all Hoosiers, he said. 

"Yes, this seat is for District 44, and that is all of Putnam County and about 65 percent of Montgomery, but, however, I think there is a duty for the entire state. Your district is your first focus, but everyone needs to come together regardless of party, work together. Government has gotten to point where there isn't a lot of bi-partisanship. I am a pretty happy, go lucky guy. I don't get worked up and I have an open mind. I think that is what it takes," Cooper said. 

Cooper said he wants to be the "local voice" for the residents of District 44.

"I want to represent all the voters of District 44. I have always thought I want to be the local voice and take things to the Statehouse. I want to vote based on the considerations voters have and not necessarily on what the party thinks. We have a huge lack of explanation when it comes to bills in government, and I want to change that. The people deserve a choice, and this is that opportunity," Cooper said.