Biography

Ryan Michael Dvorak is a Democratic

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 member of the Indiana House of Representatives

Indiana House of Representatives

The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...

, representing the 8th District since 2002. He is married to Angela Dvorak and has one child, Caroline.

After graduating from Penn High School in 1992, Dvorak earned a B.A.

Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...

 in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...

 (1996), and a J.D.

Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...

 from the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis

Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law  is located on the campus of Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana. The law school is one of two law schools operated by the Indiana University system, the other being the Indiana University...

 (2008). Ryan is also a practicing attorney with May Oberfell Lorber, where he helps expand local businesses.

Dvorak served as a senior aide to Congressman Tim Roemer in Indiana and Washington, D.C. from 1996 to 2001. He was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2002, becoming chairman of the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code in 2003. He currently serves as chairman of the Environmental Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Commerce, Energy, and Utilities Committee, the Courts and Criminal Code Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.

South Bend Mayoral Election

On January 21, 2011, Ryan Dvorak filed to run for mayor of the city of South Bend. At the time he said, "It's a critical point that we really need to reach out and really take charge of our economic development structure, to make sure people have good jobs here in South Bend. I think our education system right now is at a critical point that needs a lot of help, attention and partnership.".

On the Environment

Ryan has been recognized across Indiana as the leading legislative expert on renewable energy policy. He has authored legislation on net metering, renewable energy standards, and enforcing accountability for utility companies.

Ryan has been honored by the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club for Outstanding Achievement, and named Legislator of the Year by both the Indiana Aviation Association, and the Indiana Conservation Alliance.

External links

• State Representative Ryan Dvorak official Indiana State Legislature site
• Ryan Dvorak for State Representative official campaign site