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IN House Dems choose new leader

Indiana General Assembly

Pat Bauer is out as leader of the House Democratic caucus.  A majority of members voted Thursday to replace him with Hammond Representative Linda Lawson:

Frustration within the minority caucus had been building for some time.  An earlier attempt to oust Bauer failed.  But Thursday, at least 21 of the 23 Democrats who attended a caucus meeting in Lafayette voted to replace Bauer at the top with Lawson. 

Lawson, who becomes the first woman to lead the caucus, says the position isn’t something she ever really wanted.

“I love this caucus and I’m really proud to be a member here and appreciate everything that all members have done.  I mean, we’re going to have to really pull together now.”

Bauer, who Wednesday questioned the legitimacy of the caucus’s attempt to replace him, says he will step aside in favor of Lawson.

“I believe that Linda will make a good leader; a great leader.  I mean, I actually supported her to be my floor leader and so I think I know how to pick good leaders.”

Bauer says he wants the focus to shift back to electing Democrats in the fall.  The 42-year House veteran says he’ll provide whatever support Lawson accepts. 

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.