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Our decision makers welcome large developers and big tech companies with promises to cut the red tape for their permitting and development. These deals have raised the cost of living and offer no long‑term benefit to our community. This is not sustainable for our infrastructure, our neighborhoods, or our families.
What I want to do:
Support projects that create long‑term, permanent jobs.
Prioritize local business creation
Encourage development that adds value without disrupting residents or straining resources.
Ensure economic growth is responsible and sustainable.
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Allen County has grown too reliant on tax breaks for corporate interests; this decreases the amount of funding for essential services, infrastructure repair, and community resources.
What I want to do:
Work Closely with County Council to Reduce Allen County’s reliance on tax abatements
Ensure companies with massive wealth pay their fair share
Make financial decisions rooted in long-term stability, not short-sighted profits.
Push back against the idea that corporations will not come to Allen County without incentives or tax breaks.
Our land is affordable, our population is growing, we are desirable to investors, we do not need to sell ourselves short, we should not cheapen our value to enrich the wealthiest few.
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The Allen County Zoning Ordinance states only the minimum safety requirements for developments to promote public health, safety, and general welfare. The board has the ability to require additional regulations that would safeguard our people. Local government should demand more to preserve our resources, our land, and our families.
What I want to do:
Preserve and improve our agricultural and residential areas by strengthening zoning ordinances, and regulations ensuring our families and environment are safe, for generations to come.
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Across the board, our elected officials are primarily inaccessible, and non-responsive. The barrier to understand decisions made by these officials feels intentional. Causing apathy in our residents— and making us all feel our voices do not matter.
What I want to do:
Provide simple, easy to understand reasoning behind the decisions made by County Commissioners
Share information proactively with our community— not just when asked for.
Ensure your voice is heavily considered during the decision making process.
Oppose any project that would require non-disclosure agreements that hide major projects from the public.
Provide regular updates on progress or challenges for developments within the community.
WHY CONNER?
I believe that elected officials should be transparent, accountable, and be firmly committed to serving the people— by being responsive to their constituent’s, responsible for informing the community of the decisions they make and aligning themselves with the needs of all. I am committed to strengthening transparency in local government and lowering the barrier for entry to participate in decision making, and ensuring our economy can grow, without neglecting those who live here. There is a pattern of mismanagement of fiscal responsibility, and short-sighted long-term plans.
For years, our elected officials have been driven by “progress for the sake of progress.” These decisions have prioritized profits over people, and they have lost sight of what truly matters. These decisions have caused an enormous strain on our infrastructure, living conditions, and livelihood. Our government— needs an overhaul, with fresh eyes, fresh minds, and a genuine drive to improve our county, and our cities.
I believe that public office should improve the lives of everyone— not just those I am politically aligned with.
My actions and decisions are rooted in protecting what makes Allen County great, and why I will always call it home— our land, our local businesses, and our people.
ABOUT KATE CONNER
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I am your 2026 candidate for Allen County Commissioner.
I graduated from Northrop High school in 2011. Like many working-class Hoosiers, I have since followed many educational pursuits ranging from Dental Hygiene at Anthis Career Center, Biology at the University of Saint Francis, Business Administration at Ivy Tech, and Esthetics at Rudae’s. Demonstrably, I am passionate about learning both formal and informal education and see the value in all forms of work.
Growing up, my family instilled the values I have today: the importance of community, supporting local business, and the value of integrity.
(Thank you Sharon, Dave, Rose, and Geo)
I entered the workforce early at 15 and worked in the restaurant industry into my thirties. This experience allowed for me to listen to people’s opinions and stories while doing what I liked best— serving people and connecting with those around me.
Beginning in 2021, I entered the private sector in the financial Industry— with a focus on analysis, identifying issues, and streamlining workload by enhancing procedures. I focus on my efficiency and, most importantly, getting the job done.