Citing the need for working-class people to serve their neighbors in the statehouse where others are failing, Valparaiso combat veteran and steelworker Ryan Kominakis this week announced his Democratic candidacy for the seat held by District 4 State Rep. Ed Soliday, a Republican.
“I’m someone that’s a worker,” Kominakis said. “I work 12-hour shifts. I’ve got to work to make ends meet.”
The U.S. Steel crane operator and union crew leader said he’s concerned with the critical issues facing working-class families, from rising utility bills to the onslaught of companies wishing to bring the likes of data centers to the area.
“We have local legislators that have authored bills to give tax breaks to those companies,” he said.
He and his wife Alyse have two young boys. He said their fellow citizens “don’t feel like their voices are heard down in Indy.”
While Kominakis has never run for public office, he’s been a union rep for 11 years and takes the call by union leadership for more members to get involved in public office seriously. He calls himself a strong proponent of the labor movement. Two years into his career at the mill, he got involved in Local 1066 and currently serves as a griever at U.S. Steel Gary Works West Side.
He says the fights for a living wage, benefits, and health care will translate well to serving the public.
“You have to fight with the managers sometimes to get what you want,” he said, likening that fight to the one going on in Indianapolis. “They’ve been in full support of things like the utility rate hikes,” he said of incumbents.
Having served four deployments to Afghanistan with the Marine Corps from 2007 to 2012, Kominakis feels he’s up for fighting with the managers down in Indianapolis. “I’ve been willing to stand up and fight most of my life. I know what it’s like to be shot at.”
That fight particularly extends on behalf of veterans.
“We need to fight and advocate for our veterans in a better way,” said Kominakis, who has been involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars since returning home. “Just having someone who’s been there, it really helps advocate for what needs to be done going forward.”
Kominakis has been endorsed by City Council President Ellen Kapitan, D-At-Large.
“Ryan has always been a dedicated leader and advocate for our veteran community,” Kapitan said in a Thursday release about Kominakis’ candidacy. “He brings not only experience, but purpose, to this position. His service-driven leadership will benefit all Hoosiers by bringing good governance, integrity, discipline, and accountability to the Statehouse. I hope everyone will join me in supporting Ryan Kominakis, someone who has already proven they will stand up for us, as State Representative for District 4.”
Additionally, Chris Cleveland, a La Porte County businessman, father, and entrepreneur, announced his candidacy for Indiana State House District 9. The district covers northern La Porte and Porter counties, and includes Michigan City, Chesterton and surrounding communities.
Cleveland, a Republican, is running for the seat held by State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, who announced she was stepping down earlier this month. She endorsed La Porte County Councilman Randy Novak to replace her; he was selected for the role during a caucus Saturday.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
