Michael David Jay is running for Wayne Township Board as a Democratic candidate in the 2026 general election.
2026 Election Guide
The Western Wayne News asked candidates in contested races for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election the same questions.
- List your education and employment history highlights (100 words or less).
- What are two specific reasons you decided to run for this office? (100 words or less.)
- If elected/reelected, what are your top three priorities for your time in office? (150 words or less.)
- What are two specific skills you would bring to the office to benefit constituents, if elected/reelected? (100 words or less.)
- What’s one aspect of the government body you’re seeking to join or lead that you think is working well and should continue? (100 words or less.)
- What’s one aspect of the body you’re seeking to join or lead that you think needs to change, and what specific action(s) would you pursue to change it? (100 words or less.)
- Will you accept the results of the election process even if you are not elected/reelected? (50 words or less.)
- With state and federal changes limiting funding for government services, what specific strategies will you pursue if elected to sustain the finances of the body you’re seeking to join or lead? (150 words or less)
- Beyond encouraging attendance at public meetings, how do you plan to involve residents in decision making processes that the office you seek is a part of? (100 words or less.)
- Any other comments you’d like to share about your candidacy? (150 words or less.)
Candidates were given three weeks to respond with a firm deadline and word limits. We share their answers here, unedited from their original form.
For full election coverage, visit the Western Wayne News 2026 Election Guide.
Bio highlights: I hold a Master of Divinity from Earlham School of Religion, and have been serving as pastor, or on pastoral staff in Indiana churches since 2012.
Reasons to run: I ran because my friend Jade Rockwell (candidate Township trustee) asked me to run for board. As pastor, in 2020, a large number of people visited my church in Henry County to ask for social services. I learned it was because the township trustee was sending them to us, without asking us what help we could give. I felt the township should be more respectful both to the churches and to their clients.
Top priorities: My top priority is human dignity. People should be treated with respect no matter their circumstances. Another priority: increased and clear communication. Expectations should be clear from the beginning. There should be a website that outlines current services and expectations. Referrals should not be made without verifying the services are currently available. My third priority is to make the minutes easier to access. Board meetings are only as useful as the minutes they produce and inaccessible minutes are not useful to anybody.
Specific skills: As a pastor, respectful engagement with the “public” is my primary job. I have also served in this context as the person who recorded public minutes. I will use this experience to make sure that minutes are clear and available.
Should continue: Wayne township provides a “diaper bank,” and supports an emergency shelter. These services are necessary and should continue.
Needs to change: The office needs to be open to the public daily. There needs to be a web-site that explains processes, has downloadable forms when paperwork is necessary and has public minutes online.
Accept election results: I will accept the certified results of the election.
Funding strategies: At the moment, this is not an issue for this office. Staff size is more than adequate to not only continue services but expand them greatly, and the budget also allows a significant increase in services.
Engaging the public: The township needs to build a website that allows access to minutes, and clear ways to communicate with the trustees office and board.
Other comments: My name is Michael Jay, and I am running for Wayne township board in Wayne County. I am pastor of Raysville Friends Church outside of Knightstown, Indiana. I became aware of the township government as a pastor during covid as a number of people asked our church for emergency assistance. The township trustee sent them to the church. Like many small rural congregations, we were ill equipped to be volunteered for this role without being asked.
I am running to encourage the board to carefully consider human needs, both of clients and service providers, when making policy.
A version of this article will appear in the October 14 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.