Julie Olthoff is a Republican representing Indiana's 19th House District, which includes Crown Point, Winfield, and parts of Hobart and Merrillville in Lake County. Born August 1, 1957, in Northwest Indiana, she is the second oldest of seven children and grew up in Gary, attending Lew Wallace High School. Olthoff worked as a cake decorator to fund her education, earning a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Indiana University Northwest. She spent nine years at Ad-com Advertising, rising to art director, before founding VIA Marketing in 1987, an award-winning firm that grew to 15 employees, became IDOA Women Business Enterprise certified since 1998 and INDOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certified, and survived the 2007 recession and pandemic; she sold it after 38 years and serves as Chair Emeritus. Notable achievements include selection for the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series . She previously served on the Merrillville Plan Commission and Merrillville Board of Zoning Appeals .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Lew Wallace High School; Bachelor of Arts , Indiana University Northwest.
• Political Experience: Indiana House of Representatives, District 19 – served 2014-2018 and 2020-present . Current committees: Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development ; Family, Children and Human Affairs.