September 15, 2023

Sen. Jon Ford becomes fourth state lawmaker this year to leave legislature early

Listen at IPB News

Article origination IPB News
Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) has served in the Senate since 2014. He will resign with more than three years left in a new, four-year term. - Brandon Smith/IPB News

Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) has served in the Senate since 2014. He will resign with more than three years left in a new, four-year term.

Brandon Smith/IPB News

Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) announced Friday he is leaving the state Senate next month, less than a year into a new four-year term.

Ford is the fourth lawmaker to announce their resignation since the 2023 legislative session ended in April, joining Ann Vermilion, Randy Frye and Chip Perfect.

Ford said he is leaving the General Assembly to pursue “new professional endeavors.” In a statement, he said serving in the legislature has been one of the greatest honors of his life.

The Terre Haute legislator has been in the Senate since 2014 and was elected to a new term last November. A private Republican caucus will choose his replacement in the coming weeks.

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues.

Ford has been influential in his time at the Statehouse on elections, as chair of the Senate Elections Committee and gaming issues – including a measure that legalized sports wagering and brought a new casino to Terre Haute.

The western Indiana Republican also worked for years to increase Indiana's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families support, which he finally accomplished this year.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Copyright 2023 IPB News. To see more, visit IPB News.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

How will Donald Trump handle U.S. climate policy during his second term?
Court: IDHS likely discriminated against people with disabilities. ACLU warns issue is widespread
Voters approve constitutional amendment to change gubernatorial line of succession