MARTINSVILLE — Jonathan Collier sees a chance for younger voices to get more involved in politics here in Martinsville. That’s his hope, anyway.
Collier, the 25-year-old son of longstanding county politician Bryan Collier, was caucused in to replace Phil Deckard, Sr. on the Martinsville City Council last week, following Deckard’s passing at the end of December.
Jonathan Collier was the only candidate in District 1 who filed for the seat, according to Republican Party Chair Carole Snyder.
Jonathan Collier will be by far the youngest member of the council, and will be among the youngest members of local government in an area more known for youth flight than youth leadership.
On Monday, he told The Correspondent he would like to change that.
“I think my youth gives me a different perspective,” Jonathan Collier said by phone. “I was born and raised here. I understand what it means to be an Artesian. My wife and I plan to stick around for a long time, and I hope we can retain and attract some other young people like us to live here, too.”
Jonathan Collier got his bachelor’s degree at Wabash College before earning a master’s degree in accounting at Purdue University in 2023. For two years, he’s worked as a tax accountant at a firm on the north side of Indianapolis. He married his wife, Morgan, in November, and the two bought a house together on the city’s south side last year.
In addition to his work and his new city council duties, Jonathan Collier also serves as vice chair of the Morgan County GOP, directly beneath Snyder.
Jonathan Collier said he’s still getting to know his new constituents in District 1, and he’s excited to work with his new colleagues on the city council.
He flagged last year’s Senate Enrolled Act 1, the Indiana bill that slashed property taxes, as a particular challenge for local governments that he is eager to tackle, and he hopes his background in accounting can be of some service to the city.
Near the end of the call, Jonathan Collier said he would be remiss if he did not say how grateful he was to have the Deckard family’s support, and he praised the late councilman and former mayor for his service to the city.
“It’s an honor to sit in his seat,” Jonathan Collier said. “No one can replace the impact he had on this city.”
Jonathan Collier will sit on the city council at least until Deckard’s term is over in 2027. At that point, he can choose whether or not to campaign to keep the seat.
