The Indiana Republican Party will conduct a caucus this week to replace long-time state lawmaker David Frizzell, who announced his resignation at the end of this year’s legislative session.
Rep. Frizzell, who serves constituents in Johnson and Marion counties, was just re-elected to his post in the Indiana House of Representatives in November. He served in District 93 for 27 years.
He decided to step down to spend more time with family, according to the Marion County GOP.
Eligible precinct committeemen from District 93 will vote in the caucus, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Perry Township Government Center on the southside of Indianapolis.
As of Friday afternoon, seven candidates were seeking the legislative post. Whichever candidate snags a majority of the votes will serve in Frizzell’s place for the remainder of this term, which ends in January 2021.
The filing deadline was 6:30 p.m. Saturday, said Holly Gillham, press secretary for the Indiana Republican Party. In a caucus, candidates have until 72 hours before the vote to apply. They must reside in the district, and have a history of voting Republican.
District 93 includes the southern portion of Perry Township and Indianapolis in Marion County, and a portion of White River Township in Johnson County. The winner of the caucus will draft and vote on bills that come before the General Assembly, as well as approve the state’s bi-annual budget.
In November, Frizzell defeated Democrat Greg Rathnow with 69 percent of the votes. He ran on a platform of continuing to improve the Department of Child Services and finding ways to better fund Indiana teachers and schools, which lawmakers accomplished this year, successfully adding millions to the schools budget.
During his time in the legislature, Frizzell contributed to Indiana’s budgetary and financial successes, he said during the last election. He was adamant about working with his fellow legislators to keep taxes low, as well as continuing to position Indiana as a business-friendly state driving economic development.
Since he was first elected in 1992, Frizzell has been a constant in the state legislature.
The Perry Township resident has served as assistant majority floor leader, and on the public health and utilities, energy and telecommunications committees.
As chairman of the family, children and human affairs committee, his main focus for years was on improving services that keep kids and their families safe and lead to stronger communities.
A Facebook live stream will be available at www.facebook.com/indgop for members of the public who want to watch Tuesday’s caucus live.
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Here are the candidates who had filed to replace Rep. David Frizzell, as of noon Friday:
Megan Dugan
Shawn Gardner
Melinda Griesemer
Joe Mulinaro
Dollyne Sherman
Jim Sullivan
Robert Turner
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WHAT: Indiana Republican Party caucus to replace Rep. David Frizzell
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Perry Township Government Center, 4925 Shelby St., Indianapolis
WATCH: A Facebook Live Stream will be available at www.facebook.com/indgop for members of the public who wish to watch the caucus live.
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