Renee McDermott (D) 

I’ve served Polk County as a commissioner since 2008. I’m running again to continue the progress and good work accomplished over the last four years.As a commissioner, I’ve served on the Appearance Commission, Department of Social Services Board,  Region C Aging Advisory Board, and Home and Community Care Block Grant Committee.
I’m a past president of the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and wrote voluntary conservation easements for PAC.  I’ve served on the board of the Polk County Community Foundation and on its distribution and education committees. I was a Master Gardener volunteer.

I’m an experienced county attorney, having served for five years. I was an environmental attorney for 25 years, counseling corporate clients on environmental compliance and Superfund cleanups. I graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington School of Law magna cum laude and served as Editor-in Chief of the Indiana Law Journal.

I held leadership positions in state and national bar associations.
I was a trained and certified mediator, selected by judges and lawyers to help litigants resolve cases.  I was known for taking on and successfully resolving the hardest cases.  I’m a problem-solver.
I’m a former teacher of middle school math and science and high school English and journalism.  I received the Martha Holden Jennings Award for Excellence in Teaching. I earned a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism and a master’s degree in math and science education.

I’m married to Jim McDermott. We enjoy two daughters (and their husbands) and three wonderful grandchildren.
I’m running for re-election because I love Polk County. I have no agenda except to serve Polk County to the best of my ability. I do not have any ideological fixation and do not seek to secure any political advantage or to grant “special favors to special people.”

I want to serve ALL of Polk County’s people.