Aaron Hankins - Columbus City Council at Large

Christian Conservative Leadership

Aaron Hankins was born and raised, along with his twin brother Travis, by his hard-working mother and grandparents in Columbus, Indiana. Aaron went to school locally at Smith Elementary and Central Middle School before graduating high school from Columbus East earning an Academic Honors Diploma along with athletic varsity letters in track and soccer. Aaron was accepted to Indiana University through the Groups Student Support Services Program, becoming the first in his family to attend college.

At Indiana University, Hankins became a recognized scholar on campus. Aaron won many prestigious awards, honors and scholarships for his academic and campus leadership including Indiana University’s most prestigious scholarship, the Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis scholarship, given to the most outstanding senior.

After completing his honors thesis, Hankins earned top admission into Indiana University’s highly ranked Ph.D. program in Sociology where his research emphasis was on sociology of education. Hankins also earned admission into Indiana University’s School of Education Ph.D. program in Education Policy Studies. Hankins was one of only five students awarded a Ronald E. McNair Fellowship for his Ph.D. studies, one of the most prestigious graduate fellowships in America. Rather than completing his secular "education", Aaron chose another path and began working on his spiritual education instead.

He was invited to study at the Kanakuk Institute, an intensive Bible training program in Branson, Missouri where he learned Biblical principles and ministry skills to lead the church and change his community. During his training, Hankins served at First Baptist Branson where he gave sermons, led Bible studies and organized various activities for members. After earning a certificate of Pastoral studies, Hankins sensed God’s call to serve Christ and His church through the realm of civil government and help restore Christian values in America.

Aaron was recruited to join the Leadership Institute, the nation’s most influential educational organization that trains conservatives to be effective in promoting conservative values and ideas through the political realm. Hankins served as a founding field representative in the Christian Student Leadership Program where he trained students at Christian colleges to have a Biblical worldview and inspired them to get involved with conservative causes in civil government. Hankins started several conservative organizations to promote limited government and traditional moral values at colleges throughout the state of Indiana and Kentucky. His leadership was broadened to include other states throughout America.

During this time, Hankins founded Draft Pence, a national grassroots organization that is dedicated to drafting Mike Pence for President of the United States. Working with his brother Travis, Aaron organized thousands of conservatives throughout the nation, particularly in key primary states such as South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan, to support Mike Pence and the advancement of our conservative agenda. Hankins has been able to take his message of renewing America to young leaders across our nation by speaking at various events including Focus on the Family and Summit Ministries, and gaining national attention for Draft Pence from media sources such as the New York Times and Human Events.

While establishing himself as a rising national leader in the conservative movement, Hankins understands the importance of providing leadership at the local level. Hankins is currently serving as President of Bartholomew County Right to Life, a grassroots organization dedicated to educating our community and advocating the sanctity of Life. Aaron has served as Co-founder of the Young Republicans of Bartholomew County (2005-2008) while also leading as executive director of Young Republicans for Pence, a district-wide grassroots organization that helped Congressman Mike Pence win re-election and elevate him into national prominence.

Aaron served as his brother Travis’ campaign manager for his 2010 Congressional Campaign in Indiana’s 9th District helping Travis beat a former Congressman in a highly competitive race against two establishment candidates. Travis’ grassroots campaign was very effective as he won nine out of the ten counties he campaigned in and received more votes in Bartholomew County than the former Congressmen and the current Congressman combined. Aaron continues to serve as Travis’ campaign chairman for his 2012 Congressional Campaign.

Aaron Hankins is a lifetime Hoosier who will tirelessly work to advance our Hoosier values of faith, family and freedom. Hankins is currently a full time conservative activist and a real estate investor, owning property in locations including beautiful Branson, Missouri, sunny South Carolina and South Central Indiana. Aaron Hankins is a member of Bible Church of Columbus and describes himself in the same manner as Mike Pence, “A Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”

City Ahead of the Curve

With the coming economic meltdown being spurred by our leaders in Washington, it is important that Columbus become a city ahead of the curve. The mismanagement of our economic recovery by career politicians in Washington has led to a stagnant economy and the threat of an economic collapse. If bad policy decisions in Washington continue it will lead to another housing market collapse, a commercial real estate collapse, a credit card industry collapse and possibly the collapse of our dollar. Our local government must be aware of the direction our politicians in Washington are taking us and must make the tough decisions to ensure that we have an efficient government and vibrant local economy.

Less Government, Lower Taxes

As your City Councilman I will work to make government smaller and less intrusive in our lives. Like Ronald Reagan, I believe that government that governs least, governs best. I strongly believe in limited government, fiscal discipline and lower taxes. The first taxes I will cut will be the trash fees. I will work for a total repeal of the trash fees. I will also work to eliminate property taxes and repeal the hydrant fees.

Restoring Accountability and Proper Priorities

Local government should focus on a few, essential proper priorities such as police, fire, first responders, trash and safer roads, not on pet projects like shopping malls, parking garages and sports complexes. I will work to prioritize government and make sure that our hard earned tax dollars are being spent on essential roles of local government. I am a big supporter of local police and firemen who daily put their lives in harm’s way to keep our communities safe and will ensure that they receive more of the city’s tax payer resources than other departments who do not focus on proper priorities. Passing term limits, prioritizing government and cutting wasteful spending will restore accountability in our elected officials and restore trust in our local government.

Spending Cuts

As your City Councilman I will immediately work to cut wasteful spending. Every department has inefficiencies and every department can find some cuts. But I certainly believe that the police department has done more with less than any other department and they will be the last department I will consider. Some departments should be cut more than others. Departments with proper priorities certainly deserve more of the city’s tax payer resources.

1. 5% Spending Cuts
2. Cut the Planning Department
3. Stop sending money to Hospital

Free Market Job Creation

Our local government must end the harmful practice of central planning and corporate welfare handouts. We must support small business owners and local businesses who have already invested in our local community. It is not right for government to pick winners and losers. We must understand that government does not create jobs, the private sector does. The free market private enterprise system levels the playing field and allows businesses with great service and products and good business models to succeed. I will fight to end central planning and corporate welfare to special interests. I will work to strengthen small businesses already in Columbus and make our city a welcoming place for new small business start-ups. Small business equals real, lasting jobs while large corporate industries equal short term jobs.

Term Limits

I will only serve one term as your City Councilman and will fight to pass term limits. Term limits is a necessary step to end the waste, compromise and potential corruption at all levels of government. Council members and the mayor shall not serve longer than two terms. We are tired of lifetime, professional politicians and want citizen-legislators whose service to our community is a sacrifice, not a lavish lifestyle. Term limits will restore accountability as the people will be put first, not politics or careers.

Pro-Life

I’m 100% Pro-Life. Life begins at conception and it must be protected at all stages. I will use my position on the City Council to lobby the state legislature to pass a human life amendment recognizing personhood at conception, securing the unborn child’s unalienable right to Life. I will also work to lobby the state legislature to stop Planned Parenthood from receiving our tax payer dollars to fund abortion on demand. Every day I will use my position on the City Council to advance the Right to Life and be a voice for the unborn.

Eliminate Illegal Immigration

As your City Councilman I will work to eliminate Illegal Immigration in our community. I believe Illegal Immigration is a matter of national security and that every day that we do not seriously deal with this problem we have potential drug smugglers, potential gang members and potential terrorists entering our communities and putting our children at risk. I will lobby the state legislature to pass a law giving local authorities and judges the power to enforce all Illegal Immigration law and keep our community safe.

2nd Amendment

As your City Councilman I will be an advocate for our 2nd Amendment rights. I believe that the individual right to bear arms is essential to securing our liberty and keeping our families and private property safe from criminals. Restricting gun ownership in our city will only empower criminals and make our community less safe. I will oppose any measures locally to infringe on our right to keep and bear arms.

Government Reform

The primary role of a representative at any level is to represent and serve the people. We need to get back to that primary focus. I will work hard to serve the people and stand for our conservative principles by holding our leaders accountable and making local government more transparent. No more behind closed door meetings. I will work hard to make myself and the entire council more available, more accessible and more accountable.