Thonja Nicholson is dedicated to advocating for the people of District 36, striving to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Her platform focuses on several key priorities:

Thonja and Gary have been married for 29 years. We share three children, Jenni (Jordan) Slattery, Amy (Larry) Oliver and Josh (Kahri) Mason. We currently have ten grandchildren, Ben, Emma, Max, Sam, Will, Zach, Cannon, Callie, Casen and Georgia. We love spending time with them!

Thonja moved to Anderson when she was in the 6th grade and went to Highland High School, graduating in 1985. Gary, her husband, was born at St. John's Hospital and went to Anderson High School. All of our children went through the Anderson Public School system and thrived.

Thonja has a Bachelor of Science, in Organizational Leadership from Anderson University. She went to college later in life and graduated in 2004. The first in her family. She spent many hours studying with her son who was in high school.

Thonja also completed the Leadership Academy of Madison County and was honored to be part of the inaugural class of Hoosier Women Forward, a yearlong training academy to help women enter the political arena.

Thonja is a big believer in “if you live in a community, you should do all you can to improve the community and its citizens.” She was the Chair of two Public School Referendums on the ballot in May 2018. Both referendums passed and our public schools have been able to build and improve their buildings. Making the environment better for our students. Reading and literacy is another passion of Thonja’s. For four years, before the pandemic, she volunteered to a once-a-week special reading program for students in elementary school that were falling behind. Through this focused reading program all the students were able to catch up to the other students in their classroom. Very rewarding to work with the same student all year, building a relationship with them and seeing them improve.

Prior to the pandemic, Thonja hosted a special church group, Friendship Bible Study at a local nursing home, Edgewater Woods. One of their areas was for the developmentally disabled. For ten years this group met along with residents of local group homes. It was the joy of her heart! During our weekly group meetings we sang, had a Bible lesson they could relate to, prayed for them and their concerns and did a small art project. Oh, we always had SNACKS. Also joining us was a group of students from Anderson University who participated in Friendship Bible Study. Thonja has mentored many of these students and we are still friends. Every year at Christmas we invited the whole nursing home facility to a party where the Baseball Team from Anderson University would come and sing Christmas Caroles. It was an annual event that everyone looked forward to.

Thonja took a mission's trip through church to Nicaragua, where she met Ashley, the student we sponsored in school. Ashley will graduate high school this next June. Thonja and her husband also sponsor a child through World Vision from Ghana, a boy named Prosper. We look forward to their letters and updates throughout the years.

Thonja is very involved with the churches they have attended. Currently we are attending Northview Church at the Anderson campus. Working in many different capacities but mostly in the Kids area. At previous churches we have been involved in two building campaigns. Organized and started special programs at churches, such as Easter and Halloween parties for the community. Thonja and Gary took a group of 13 teen girls to the International Church of God convention one summer in San Antonio, Texas. They did additional fundraising for this trip so each teen could attend without having to pay additional funds out of their pockets.

Thonja has volunteered time arranging special events for the Boy Scouts of America. A golf outing for the Anderson Township Trustee's and one for a Maternity Home for unwed mothers that was located in Alexandria, Indiana. Thonja began volunteering with her mother at the Bronnenberg Children's Home, which was located on Mounds Road.

While at Anderson University she met Samuel Enders, an adult foreign exchange student from Liberia. Samuel promised God that he would return to Liberia to improve the lives of Liberians. Thonja assisted Samuel in structuring a not-for-profit organization and with fundraising. Samuel is the Founder and CEO of African Dream Academy. Helping hundreds of children, parents and adults in Liberia. Thonja feels honored to help Samuel in this endeavor.

Thonja has worked for many not-for-profit organizations over the years. St. Johns Hospital, The Villages of Indiana and Flagship Enterprise Center. Currently she works for CBRE, Inc., a property management company. She is a Facility Manager for the organization.

Thonja would like your vote so she can work for you and the community. Thonja will continue to work in her community and church. She would also like to encourage you to find a place to get involved. It will change your life and others.