Education
Master's of Public Administration from Indiana University, BA General Math & Science from Indiana University
Campaign Email
JasonMcritchlow@gmail.com
Occupation/Current Position
Portage Township Trustee
I am in service to my neighbors and fellow residents and that begins with dignity and respect. Most people don’t need a handout, they need a hand up. In South Bend, many residents are working hard yet living on the edge of crisis and that reality can touch anyone. Asking for help should never feel demeaning or bureaucratic.
As trustee, I believe in putting the service in public service by meeting people where they are, listening carefully, and focusing on solutions that help stabilize their lives. That means treating every applicant as a person, not a problem, and investing in people so they can move forward.
If I can make someone’s day a little easier, a little brighter, or a little better, then I have done my job — and that’s a good day.
We have a growing number of residents who are working full time but still struggling to keep up. In South Bend, roughly 40% of our residents work full time yet still can’t afford basic necessities as costs continue to rise. This comes at a time when the federal government is making cuts to programs they should be expanding, creating more families on the verge of crisis.
Addressing this means responding to immediate needs while working strategically to help elevate people out of poverty. I focus on using township resources efficiently, coordinating closely with nonprofits and service providers, and making sure assistance reaches families quickly when crises hit.
At the same time, we must advocate for broader solutions that strengthen working families, because no one working full time should be one emergency away from hardship.
I led the creation of the St. Joseph County Fire Territory, which dramatically improved public safety by bringing ambulance service to an area that had never had it before. That work cut emergency response times to just minutes, putting help in residents’ backyards instead of miles away.
I work closely with fire leadership to ensure first responders receive market‑rate pay, the highest levels of training, and the safest, most advanced equipment available. Looking ahead, continued improvements in public safety will require even greater collaboration between fire services and other public service providers. Strong relationships, open communication, and shared goals are how we protect residents and businesses now and into the future.
Every financial decision is made with people first by considering the real impact on families who rely on local government services.
My approach to township budgeting is grounded in both private‑sector experience and hands‑on public service. In the private sector, I managed budgets under real constraints, cash‑flow planning, and compliance reporting, where accuracy and accountability were critical.
As a current township trustee, I apply those same principles every day. I regularly prepare and review financial reports, track expenditures against appropriations, and work closely with Indiana state regulatory authorities to ensure compliance. I also serve in a leadership role for townships statewide and was honored as Trustee of the Year by the Indiana Township Association.
My experience is shaped by both private‑sector leadership and my current role as township trustee. In the private sector, I was responsible for maintaining accurate records, documenting decisions, managing assets, and ensuring information was organized, accessible, and compliant all within a culture that demanded accountability and professionalism.
As Trustee, I ensure official proceedings are clearly documented, well‑maintained, and open for public inspection. I also prioritize building a positive, service‑driven work culture where staff are competent, detail‑oriented, and understand that our customers are residents. Record‑keeping isn’t paperwork for its own sake, but it’s how we earn public trust and ensure families receive fair, transparent service.
Accessibility isn’t optional - it’s the job. My focus is on removing barriers between residents and their local government, not creating new ones. That means meeting people where they are and making both communication and information easy to access.
Residents can contact me by phone, email, or social media, and I respond personally. I enjoy face to face meetings with residents, but due to time constraints, I sometimes must rely on help from my team, but I ensure they are capable, caring, and dedicated to public service.
I proactively seek input through public meetings, neighborhood conversations, and work with civic groups and service providers. Transparency builds trust, so I share information openly and follow up. If you live in Portage Township and need help, you should be heard.
When the federal government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits, I was the first local official to recognize the warning signs and sound the alarm. I didn’t wait for the crisis to land, I moved quickly to assess increased demand, coordinate with our local nonprofit service providers, and ensure township assistance filled gaps as efficiently as possible.
I worked directly with partners to align resources, shared clear information with residents, and helped connect families to every available form of aid. When resources are limited, trustees must lead early, act decisively, and collaborate aggressively. Effective leadership in these moments means responding with urgency, maximizing existing resources, and making sure residents aren’t left to navigate crisis alone.
