Indiana Democrat foregoes reelection in favor of county judge bid

Indiana state Rep. Ryan Hatfield, an Evansville Democrat, introduced Thursday he’ll forgo reelection in the autumn to as a substitute run for a county judge place.

Hatfield, who has represented House District 77 in southern Indiana since 2016, mentioned he’s operating for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court judge.

“Serving as Circuit Court Judge provides a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the fair and just resolution of legal matters that impact the lives of individuals and families in our community,” Hatfield mentioned in a press release.

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Hatfield serves because the rating minority member of the Indiana House Judiciary and Employment, Labor and Pensions committees. Prior to his place in the General Assembly, Hatfield was a deputy prosecutor in Vanderburgh County.

“This decision to run for Judge is deeply personal for me, driven by a profound commitment to fostering a legal system in Vanderburgh County that reflects the values and needs of our community,” Hatfield mentioned in his assertion.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta known as Hatfield’s departure a “loss.”

A basic view of the Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. August 5, 2022.  (REUTERS/Cheney Orr)

“Since his election in 2016, Rep. Hatfield has used his extensive legal expertise to serve the people of Evansville and Hoosiers throughout the state,” GiaQuinta mentioned in a press release.

Hatfield is the most recent in a collection of Indiana state lawmakers who’ve mentioned they don’t seem to be in search of reelection in 2024. Two Republican state representatives, Denny Zent and Randy Lyness, individually disclosed their intention to forgo reelection in December. In November, Republican state Rep. Bob Cherry, of Greenfield, introduced his intention to retire after 25 years.

Carmel Republican Rep. Donna Schaibley mentioned in October she is not going to search reelection shortly after longtime lawmaker Rep. Jerry Torr, who additionally represents Carmel, introduced his intention to retire after 28 years in the House.

In August, Republican state Sen. John Crane, of Avon, introduced he is not going to search reelection after the 2024 legislative session.

At least three different Republican lawmakers resigned this 12 months. In September, state Sen. Jon Ford, of Terre Haute, mentioned he would resign efficient Oct. 16 from his western Indiana district. A Republican caucus selected Greg Goode, the state director for Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young, to complete out the rest of Ford’s time period.

Republican Sen. Chip Perfect, of Lawrenceburg, resigned in late September from his southeastern Indiana seat. A caucus selected businessman Randy Maxwell to finish Perfect’s time period.

In July, state Rep. Randy Frye, a Republican from Greensburg, resigned from his southeastern Indiana district because of well being points. Attorney J. Alex Zimmerman was chosen to finish Frye’s time period.

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After Republican state Sen. Jack Sandlin unexpectedly died in September, former Inspector General Cyndi Carrasco was sworn into the Senate in November to fill the Indianapolis seat.