Indiana's Department Of Workforce Development Has A New Leader

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mike Pence is making a leadership change at the Department of Workforce Development, appointing a state lawmaker to head the agency.

Pence announced Thursday that Zionsville Republican Rep. Steve Braun will take over as Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development this fall, after his term in the legislature is finished. 

Braun was elected to the House in 2012 and coauthored legislation creating the Indiana Career Council.  He replaces Scott Sanders, who former Gov. Mitch Daniels appointed in 2012.  Sanders will remain at the agency, serving as senior deputy commissioner, overseeing the Unemployment Insurance division. 

Braun will remain on the ballot in November’s election, where he is running unopposed.  The governor’s office says discussions with Braun to take over at the department took place after the July deadline to replace him on the ballot.  If he is reelected, his replacement will be chosen by a GOP caucus.