My name is J. Michael Davisson and yes for those who may ask, that is my full first name. I was born on November 9, 1981 and raised here in Salem. I am a graduate of Salem High School, class of 2000. During high school, I had the privilege of representing Salem at the state and national level in Cross Country as well as a 10 year 4-H member and a member of the River Watch program conducted by the Salem High School Science Club. After high school I was given a congressional nomination to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Upon completing a year at the Academy, I entered the Indiana Army National Guard as an Infantryman. I completed two semesters of college at Indiana University Southeast and two semesters at Indiana University Bloomington, prior to being called to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I spent an entire year in Afghanistan performing security and combat operations and in the process, climbing the rank structure of the Army at a high rate and earning numerous awards. Since returning home from Afghanistan in the late summer of 2005, I have completed three semesters of college. I currently work at Movie Gallery as the Assistant Manager and reside at 193 East Oak Drive with my beautiful wife Britney and seven month old daughter Brooklyn.
     As a decorated veteran, scholar, husband, father, Christian and proud citizen of Salem, I will bring to the Mayors office a wealth of knowledge gained through experience, the morals of Christianity, refined leadership skills defined by the Army’s core values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honesty, Integrity and Personal Courage. The military concept of team work will of course be the backbone and soul concept of my term as mayor. This town is our town and it is of the utmost importance that the issues and future of Salem be dealt with as a team, to ensure this city’s success not only for us at the present time, but for those who will either suffer from or thrive from in the future.
     This City has many traditions that make it truly one the best places to live on earth, as someone once said, “There is no place like home” and there is no better person who can tell you that from my own personal experiences having lived in a foreign country.  I want every one to know that the changes I want to make are not those traditions we all take pride in, but rather the changes needed to ensure that we maintain a foothold on the ever changing economic and environmental challenges. I look forward to having the opportunity and pleasure of serving all of the citizens of Salem as Mayor, where together we will make this city an even better place than it already is.