MEET JAMES RABEN VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER
James Raben, Republican, is running for re-election to the Vanderburgh County Council – District 1 in 2018. Mr. Raben has the reputation of being a fiscal conservative. He has served as the Vanderburgh County Council Finance Chairman for over 20 years. and also served as the County Council President for 4 years.
James Raben has been a Partner/Operator of Raben Tire, LLC for over 38 years. ŸHe is a 31-year member of the West Side Nut Club and in 2011 was elected to serve on the Board of Directors. In 2017, he was appointed to serve as WSNC Treasurer, and in 2018 as WSNC Secretary.
He’s married to Judi Raben for 34 years. ŸHe and his wife are members of St. Joe Catholic Church. They have 2 sons Jordan 30, Alex 26. The Rabens are also proud grandparents of a two-year-old granddaughter-Adelyn and are excited about a new grandson on the way.
A lifelong resident of the Westside of Vanderburgh County James Raben learned the value of hard work and family as one of thirteen siblings. James put that work ethic to use with his brothers at Raben Tire Co. for the past 38 years.
James and his family are proud of their business and the jobs they create. James and his wife Judi have volunteered for West Side nonprofit organizations over many years to benefit our community. He is a graduate of  Mater Dei High School.  He served as Tire Industry Association Board of Directors and Governmental Affairs Chairman.
James feels that his experiences as a small business owner have given him a unique insight on how to manage our tax dollars in order that the County Council can operate Vanderburgh County government with a balanced budget.
He’s a strong proponent of completing the University Parkway within our budget restraints. But he stresses that he wants to make sure that this project is designed and built right so it will meet our long-term needs.
Currently, he has been totally immersed in the decisions concerning the planning of the proposed renovation of the overcrowded county jail. He’s a strong supporter of economic development projects because he’s extremely aware of how they attract new jobs and add to our economic base.  Mr. Raben has a solid reputation for being bipartisan.
James Raben is an extremely well-liked, trustworthy, hardworking and extremely knowledgeable about the in and out of local government. Â Oh, we hear that he’s also fun to hang out with and drink a cold beer.
FOOTNOTE: NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE “SPOTLIGHTING” EVANSVILLE CITY COUNCILMAN JUSTIN ELPERS.
