Jamee Decio For Congress
Thank you to all the Hoosiers and concerned Americans who attended my announcement party on November 17, 2025. The fight for our democracy and for your will as Hoosiers of Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District is only starting. I will listen and fight to be your voice in Washington. A representative’s role is to carry out the will of the people. That is what we are going to restore to our country. Below is a copy of my remarks from that event.
Announcement Speech, 11/17/25
I’m Jamee Decio, and I’m proud to launch my Democratic congressional campaign for Indiana’s 2nd District House seat in my hometown of Elkhart.
Thank you for joining me this evening.
Last winter, I watched President Donald Trump’s assault on America—dismantling agencies and killing regulations that I expected would protect my new granddaughter from deadly diseases, natural disasters, and climate change.
Stunned, I considered a run for federal office.
The president made Congress nearly obsolete by issuing executive orders that bypassed the legislative process.
When the Republican majority made no attempt to offer checks and balances to halt Trump’s actions, I grew concerned.
More disturbing, the 2nd District incumbent stayed silent after the president slapped 100% tariffs on soybean sales to China—Indiana’s largest buyer—which devastated our farmers.
All 11 counties in this district produce soybeans, yet our local Congressman did nothing. Our representative democracy appeared fragile.
Years ago, I realized we have two choices when things go wrong: do nothing or do something.
I chose something—to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
To defend and preserve our democracy.
To stand up for farmers betrayed by their president.
To fight for everyone—regardless of party—struggling with rising costs of food, utilities, housing, and health care.
To help Indiana businesses—mom and pop shops in Goshen, manufacturers in Elkhart and Warsaw, entrepreneurs in South Bend—deal with the volatility of tariffs, so they can grow and generate good-paying jobs.
To serve voters, not be subservient to a president who demands unquestioned loyalty. As a Notre Dame-trained lawyer, I honor my pledge to uphold the Constitution.
Our government has lost sight of what matters most to its citizens: truth, fairness and equality.
This administration and its yesmen and women in Congress and state buildings say “yes” to tax cuts for the wealthiest and spends billions to subsidize Amazon, Tesla, Ford, and other giant corporations, but that same group CUTS OFF HEALTH CARE SUBSIDIES THAT HELP WORKING AMERICANS afford the medical attention they need.
When people become secondary to a president and his cabinet, democracy suffers. I am running to prevent further destruction of our government.
I live by the same values as each of you. Hoosier values. Honesty, integrity, and compassion for others.
Where is that compassion now?
Never before have we witnessed a president refusing to feed 42 million hungry Americans—including more than 64,000 of our neighbors—working families, children, seniors, veterans, and the disabled.
A proud America feeds its families.
The America I love does not allow masked ICE agents to grab people off the street solely because of skin color.
Our America values immigrants who power our workforce and bring new energy to our communities.
Our America creates a pathway to citizenship for immigrants instead of spending $1.7 billion to deport them.
This issue is personal. In 1907, my 5-year-old grandfather arrived in Elkhart from Italy. With a third-grade education, he went to work to help support his family. He passed his work ethic and love of country to my father—who saw a need for affordable homes and built a national manufactured housing company headquartered in Elkhart.
I chose this venue to honor my dad, Arthur Decio, whose lifelong devotion to his community and country inspired my candidacy.
The America I love doesn’t invade blue cities with troops without cause.
It doesn’t permit a president to hijack the Department of Justice to retaliate against his enemies. I don’t recognize this America, and I’m certain you don’t either.
What happens in the 2026 midterms may determine if we will continue to have free elections.
Thankfully, our forefathers specified that “We, The People” power our government—not the president or political parties. They gave us the strongest tool to fight back—THE VOTE.
I am reaching out to Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to join my campaign to preserve our democracy for our children and grandchildren.
I have been tested as a prosecutor and as a legal advocate. My toughest case prepared me for this race.
Years ago, I volunteered at a residential facility for hard-to-place foster children who were expected to be homeless at 18.
A social worker paired me with a bright but neglected young boy, institutionalized for more than half his life.
After three months of weekend visits, he asked me to adopt him. I agreed.
Eight long years and more than 30 court hearings later, I won his freedom from a dysfunctional foster system.
Today, my son’s a college graduate, a husband, a new father, and a head coach for a high school basketball team.
He taught me that I have the capacity to change lives.
I had seen his promise, as I see America’s promise today.
Let me fight for you as I fought for my son.
We live in troubling times where a handful of small-minded people seek to remake America for their own benefit. We have witnessed the cruelty of their plans.
Congresspeople, including ours, enable them.
If we do nothing, we could lose everything we cherish. As shareholders in our democracy, we can steer our nation back to its founding principles: liberty and justice for all.
At heart, I am a daughter of Elkhart. I grew up dodging ducks along a magical place called Conn’s Pond. The kindness and generosity of my hard-working neighbors—some veterans—helped shape my character.
While studying international law in London, I received a beautiful handwritten letter from a former neighbor in her 80s, who just lost her husband. In her response to my condolence card, she wrote how proud she felt that I pursued my dreams.
I still have that letter. It reminds me of how she cared about me and that I stand on the shoulders of generations of women who were denied my opportunities.
I always dreamed of running for office to thank those Hoosiers, like my neighbor, who gave so much to me.
Repairing our damaged country poses an enormous challenge. One that we must meet.
Together we can unite this district, heal divisions, restore stability and promote mutual respect.
Join me and do something.
United in purpose, we can flip this district to improve life for everyone in Indiana while building a stronger and more equitable America.
Thank you, and God bless the United States of America.
Additional information about Jamee’s candidacy and campaign, along with an invitation to her official launch event will follow in the coming days.