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Susan Dillon

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Susan Dillon
Image of Susan Dillon

Republican Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Berea High School

Associate

Cuyahoga Community College, 1987

Bachelor's

Indiana Wesleyan University, 1990

Graduate

Western Governors University, 2014

Personal
Birthplace
Berea, Ohio
Religion
Christian
Profession
Registered nurse
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Susan Dillon (Republican Party) ran for election to the Indiana House of Representatives to represent District 34. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Dillon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Susan Dillon was born in Berea, Ohio. She earned an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College in 1987, a bachelor's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1990, and a graduate degree from Western Governors University in 2014. Dillon's professional experience includes working as director of clinical education at Majestic Care, administrative director at St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital, adjunct clinical nursing instructor at Indiana Wesleyan University, and RN care manager at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Dillon has been affiliated with Muncie First Church.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 34

Incumbent Sue Errington defeated Susan Dillon in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 34 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Sue Errington
Sue Errington (D) Candidate Connection
 
55.1
 
12,156
Image of Susan Dillon
Susan Dillon (R) Candidate Connection
 
44.9
 
9,910

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 22,066
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34

Incumbent Sue Errington advanced from the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34 on May 7, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Sue Errington
Sue Errington Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
2,243

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,243
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34

Susan Dillon advanced from the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34 on May 7, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Susan Dillon
Susan Dillon Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,032

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,032
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dillon in this election.

Pledges

Dillon signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

2022

See also: Indiana House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Indiana House of Representatives District 34

Incumbent Sue Errington defeated Dale Basham in the general election for Indiana House of Representatives District 34 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Sue Errington
Sue Errington (D)
 
52.8
 
7,659
Image of Dale Basham
Dale Basham (R)
 
47.2
 
6,849

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 14,508
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34

Incumbent Sue Errington advanced from the Democratic primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34 on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Sue Errington
Sue Errington
 
100.0
 
2,288

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,288
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34

Dale Basham defeated Susan Dillon in the Republican primary for Indiana House of Representatives District 34 on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Dale Basham
Dale Basham
 
61.0
 
1,620
Image of Susan Dillon
Susan Dillon Candidate Connection
 
39.0
 
1,036

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,656
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance


Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Susan Dillon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dillon's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

My name is Susan Dillon. I am running for Indiana State Representative, District 34. My husband, David, our 5 children, and I moved to Muncie in 2009.

I have had a very successful career as a Registered Nurse, working my way up to administrative and corporate-level positions. I have extensive experience with regulatory compliance, writing policies, case management and reimbursement, advocacy, infection prevention, clinical education, and more. After earning a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education, I taught various nursing clinicals and set up an online training system for a growing company of 900 employees at the time. Since January 2020, I have worked full-time as a Community Outreach Volunteer, spending countless hours volunteering, serving on Boards and collaborating efforts to get resources into the hands of those who need them. I developed working relationships with individuals across our community, listened to input by those doing outreach and those in need, and gathered ideas for legislation that would be practical, realistic and beneficial.

I am running for this office to give voters a choice between maintaining ‘status quo’ or electing a very well-qualified candidate who is willing to ”reach across the aisle” to promote legislation that is needed by our community. We need a representative who can effectively to do this. It is time for change and I am well-prepared to take this opportunity to move Muncie forward in a way that will benefit us all.
  • IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE: Status quo may be comfortable, but at some point, it is time to move forward and elect a candidate with fresh ideas, new perspectives, and motivation to make the best use of every opportunity. Maintaining status quo means missing opportunities to get meaningful and worthwhile legislation on the books that will benefit us all.
  • PUTTING MUNCIE FIRST: District 34 includes most of Muncie. Through extensive outreach, advocacy, and listening to local community members, I created a list of legislative ideas to address issues in Muncie that will also have beneficial impact on Delaware County and beyond.
  • SERVANT LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY and PURPOSE: I am committed to following these basic principles, not just in the public eye, but also in my private life.
I have become increasingly passionate about finding policies that can practically and realistically improve the quality of life for community members. This may include policies with an indirect impact, such as strengthening Land Banks or those with direct impact, such as funding mental health programs. As a Community Outreach Volunteer, I have spent a considerable amount of time listening to members of my community; both those who are meeting needs, and those who are struggling. This has been a source of ideas that I would like to further develop into solution-driven policies.
When I was a child, I saw my parents demonstrate servant leadership as they sacrificially helped others in our community. My dad was a man who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. My parents taught me it is not enough to say you care, but to show you care. They showed me how to love God and express His love to others. This is the example I follow.
Leaders are held to higher standards because of their position. Servant leadership, integrity, and purpose are essential for any leader to be effective. The best leaders are the ones who ‘worked in the trenches.’ By serving others, an elected official learns the issues, builds relationships, and develops empathy. This prepares the official to be an advocate and effective voice for constituents.

Integrity is doing what is right, even when no one is watching; It encompasses every facet of leadership. A leader must earn trust and respect. One who does not maintain integrity will not be trusted or effective as a leader because it is only a matter of time before this behavior is apparent.

A leader must have a defined purpose. It has been said, “If you aim for nothing, you will achieve nothing.” Identifying priorities, setting goals, and finding ways to accomplish what needs to be done, are all important for effective leadership.
I am the perfect person to represent my community in an elected office. My broad background in healthcare and experience with education as both a parent and educator give me a unique knowledge base. I have a proven record of bringing positive change in spite of hostile work environments, dysfunctional leadership and organizational politics. Anyone who has worked with me knows I am very analytical and solutions-driven.

Above all, as an active community volunteer, I am recognized as a problem solver and advocate. I have working relationships with people of all backgrounds and listen to them for ideas on how to make things better.

I have proven leadership, am a team player and have earned the respect of the community I serve. I would consider it an honor to be elected to represent my community in this position.
Probably the most unique book of all time is the Bible. It provides inspiration, instruction, comfort, and conviction. When I read it, I find practical applications to my life. Its central message of God’s love for all gives hope and purpose. These are a few of the reasons I would consider the Bible to be my favorite book.
A healthy working relationship needs effective communication including transparency, respect, honesty, trust, accessibility, collaborative effort and healthy compromise. These are examples of what would be needed for an ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature.
Previous experience in government or politics could be beneficial, however, is not predictive of how effectively a state legislator will perform the duties of that position. Diverse life experiences and a successful career would give better evidence that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this role.

Sometimes, those in office remain in office for a very long time for various reasons. This does not necessarily mean they are effective, only that there may not have been a better option to fill the position.
Individuals who are considering an elected office should look for every opportunity to learn about government and politics beforehand. They should be actively involved in their community, listen to their neighbors, and learn how to be an effective advocate before asking for support to run as an elected official.

I have not held an elected office before, but I have taken deliberate steps to prepare for this position and am confident my background, qualifications and experience have prepared me to be an effective representative for my community.
A person who is not interested in building professional, working relationships with other people has no business representing others. This limits progress that can be made for the people they represent.
It is through relationships that communication opens, ideas are shared, and healthy compromise is achieved. Building relationships is key to having an effective, optimal working environment that will produce desired outcomes.
I am confident my background, qualifications and experience will enable me to effectively represent my community as a State Legislator. At this time, I do not have a personal goal of seeking another office in the future.
Our government was set up with a system of ‘checks and balances’ to prevent the uninhibited exercise of power, improve decision-making outcomes and maintain accountability. Granting a governor unrestricted powers in any situation is not consistent with the basis on which our government was founded. There should be additional oversight, especially in situations where emergency powers will be exercised over an extended period of time, because of the impact it will have on the state at every level.
I am seeking this office to promote legislation that will benefit Muncie/Delaware County, and extend to all of Indiana.

One very effective program in Muncie/Delaware County has been the Land Bank program, adding millions of dollars’ worth of taxable property back onto the books. Due to the limited number of communities with this program, the benefits of Land Banks are relatively unknown. I want to introduce legislation that strengthens current Land Bank programs and highlights the benefits of such programs for other communities.
Another major challenge across Indiana is addressing mental health. Both Muncie and Delaware County are seeking funds to provide better mental health access and focus. I fully support these efforts.

I will continue to seek input from my community for legislative ideas on priority issues such as these that will benefit our community as a whole.
At this time I do not have any strong preferences for any particular committee. With my background and experience, I would be qualified to effectively serve on a number of different committees.
I fully support financial transparency. When this is not present, it results in distrust and possible allegations that may or may not be true.

When accountability is missing, there tends to be a trend towards misuse of funds, waste, or other corruption.

Transparency and accountability are key to running a smooth and efficient government.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Candidate Connection

Susan Dillon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dillon's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

My name is Susan Dillon and I am running for Indiana State Representative, District 34. My husband, David, and I have been married since 1991 and have five grown children. Muncie, IN has been home since 2009.

Professionally, I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. As a Registered Nurse, I gained extensive experience across the healthcare continuum and completed a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from Western Governors University in 2014. I have served in director, administrative, educational, and consultant positions, but the highlight of my career was teaching nursing clinicals. I love preparing students for success by nurturing respect and passion for the nursing profession and a caring spirit for the patients they serve.

In January 2020, I left healthcare to focus on community outreach. The pandemic offered an opportunity to address lack of access to resources and promote collaboration with community outreach organizations and individuals.

As a community volunteer, I am seen as a trusted advocate who finds solutions. I was asked by many people to consider running for an elected position and consider it an honor to be ‘the voice of choice’ for my neighbors and community.

  • Servant Leadership - By serving others, I learned effective leadership and have become a strong advocate for the people I serve.
  • Integrity - I pledge to maintain my conduct in a moral, ethical, and appropriate manner, even when no one is watching.
  • Purpose - My purpose and passion are to have maximum positive impact to improve the lives of others.
The U.S. Constitution and the Indiana Constitution clearly spell out the role of government and rights of an individual not to be taken away by government. I am passionate about legislation and policies that follow Constitutional guidance. I believe in protection of human life and an individual’s dignity and comfort at all stages of life. I support educational policies that reflect our local goals and concerns and provide parents the ability to choose the best learning option for their children. Reinforcing traditional academics, including basic life skills and career-focused options is the key to setting up our children for success. I believe individuals have the right to make healthcare decisions (informed choice) based on accurate information, even in cases where I may disagree with the decision. In addition, I am for legislation that represents everyone, not just special interest groups. For example, legislation to protect a tenant’s rights should equally provide protection for the landlord. What good is token legislation or policies that serve no purpose?
When I was a child, I saw my parents demonstrate servant leadership as they sacrificially helped others in our community. My dad was a man who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. My parents taught me it is not enough to say you care, but to show you care. They showed me how to love God and express His love to others. This is the example I follow.
Leaders are held to higher standards because of their position. Servant leadership, integrity, and purpose are essential for any leader to be effective. The best leaders are the ones who ‘worked in the trenches.’ By serving others, an elected official learns the issues, builds relationships, and develops empathy. This prepares the official to be an advocate and voice for all constituents.

Integrity is doing what is right, even when no one is watching; It encompasses every facet of leadership. A leader must earn trust and respect. One who does not maintain integrity will not be trusted or effective as a leader because it is only a matter of time before this behavior is apparent.

A leader must have a defined purpose. It has been said, “If you aim for nothing, you will achieve nothing.” Identifying priorities, setting goals, and finding ways to accomplish what needs to be done, are all important for effective leadership.
I am the perfect person to represent my community in an elected office. My broad background in healthcare and experience in education as both a parent and educator give me a unique knowledge base. I have a proven record of being an effective leader and having a very successful career.

Above all, as an active community volunteer, I am recognized as a problem solver and advocate. I have positive relationships with people of all backgrounds and listen to them. Because of these qualities, I was asked by my neighbors and friends to consider running for office - I have the trust of, support of, and accountability to the people I will represent.
Probably the most unique book of all time is the Bible. It provides inspiration, instruction, comfort, and conviction. When I read it, I find practical applications to my life. Its central message of God’s love for all gives hope and purpose. These are a few of the reasons I would consider the Bible to be my favorite book.
Previous experience in government or politics could be beneficial, however, is not a prediction of how effectively a state legislator will perform the duties of that position. Diverse life experiences, such as in healthcare and education, and a successful career would give better evidence that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this role.

Individuals who are considering an elected office should look for every opportunity to learn about government and politics beforehand. They should be actively involved in their community to listen to their neighbors and learn how to be an effective advocate before asking for support to run as an elected official.

I have not only done all these things, but am committed to learning how any decision will best look out for the interests of everyone. These are the qualities of an individual who will be an effective state legislator.
A person who is not interested in building professional, working relationships with other people has no business representing people. It is through relationships that communication opens, ideas are shared, and healthy compromise is achieved. When a legislators are isolated, through their own actions or those of other legislators, this limits progress that can be made for the people they represent.
I believe I am the perfect candidate for State Representative to represent and advocate for my friends and neighbors. I am willing to run for other positions if this will benefit my community, but do not have a personal goal to seek another office in the future.
Compromise is often viewed negatively. However, in most cases where morality is not in question, compromise may be the best way to reach a decision that considers the best interests of everyone. Compromise is always a tool that can be used to make progress towards improvements in policies and legislation if it does not cross into areas that would be considered compromise of morality or ethics.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Susan Dillon campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Indiana House of Representatives District 34Lost general$7,607 $5,222
2022Indiana House of Representatives District 34Lost primary$14,010 $13,959
Grand total$21,618 $19,181
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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External links

Candidate

Indiana House of Representatives District 34
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 8, 2022


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