Jon grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Franklin Central High School in 1995. His undergraduate studies were at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He majored in History, minored in Performance Studies (Theater), and was president of the Rugby Football Club. In 1999 he received his B.A., magna cum laude.
Following college, Jon studied law at Indiana University School of Law- Bloomington. He was on the editorial staff of the Indiana Law Journal and studied overseas in conjunction with the University of London, School of Advanced Legal Studies. He received his J.D. cum laude in 2002.
Jon Elrod is a partner in his family’s law firm located on the Southside of Indianapolis. Jon now makes his home on Orange Street in the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood of Center Township.
Elrod is a Republican and stepped into politics by running for the Center Township Advisory Board in a predominately Democratic district in 2004. His grassroots campaign of door knocking and handwritten notes was successful. He served on the board until November 20, 2006, when he was sworn in as State Representative of the 97th District, at the age of 29.
Jon is a member of the United Methodist Church. He has studied theology at Christian Theological Seminary. He volunteers a week every summer as the director of a church camp. He is a Freemason and officer in the Scottish Rite. Jon also sits on the board of the Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp. (SEND), a community development corporation.