Jim Merritt (politician)
Jim Merritt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Indiana Senate from the 31st district | |
| In office November 7, 1990 – November 4, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | William Vobach |
| Succeeded by | Kyle Walker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 28, 1959 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Indiana University, Bloomington (BA) |
James W. Merritt Jr. (born July 28, 1959)[1] is an American politician and former Republican member of the Indiana Senate from 1991 to 2020, representing the 31st District. He was first elected to the Indiana Senate in 1990.[2][3][4] He was reelected to the state Senate in the 2010 election, defeating then-Marion County Sheriff Frank J. Anderson by a margin of 52% to 44%.
Biography
[edit]Merritt received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Indiana University in 1981.[5] Professionally, Merritt is vice president of corporate affairs for the Indiana Railroad Company.[4] He previously served as district assistant to representative Elwood Hillis.[6] He is divorced and has two daughters and one son.[4]
Merritt was elected chair of the Marion County Republican Party in March 2017.[7] He replaced Mike McQuillen.[8] He resigned as County Party Chair in December 2018.[9] Bryce Carpenter took over as interim county GOP chair.[10]
On January 10, 2019, Merritt announced that he was running for Mayor of Indianapolis in 2019.[11] He won the primary on May 7, 2019. Merritt was soundly defeated by the incumbent Joe Hogsett.[12][13]
In September 2020, Merritt announced that he would be retiring from the State Senate on November 4.[14][15]
Committees
[edit]In the 2014 session, Merritt chaired the Utilities Committee. His was a majority member of these committees: Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs; Joint Rules; Public Policy; Rules and Legislative Procedure; and also the Transportation sub-committee.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Who's Who in American Politics. 1997–1998. p. 685.
- ^ "List of All Offices and Office Holders". capitolandwashington.com. March 5, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "5 Nov 1990, Page 43 - The Indianapolis Star at Newspapers.com". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ a b c Indiana Senate Biography Archived May 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Indiana Senate Biography Archived 2010-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ http://legdb.iga.in.gov/#!/legislator/6527/James-Merritt [bare URL]
- ^ IndyGOP (March 4, 2017). "Senator Jim Merritt has now been elected MCRCC Chair. Melissa Thompson Vice Chair, Danny Crenshaw secretary, and Lesa Dietrick Treasurer.pic.twitter.com/CZxY03AZrb". Twitter.com. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Merritt to run for Marion County GOP chairman". www.ibj.com. February 2, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Jim Merritt resigning as Chairman of the Marion County Republican Party". fox59.com. December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Merritt mulling mayoral run after quitting job as GOP county chairman". www.ibj.com. December 17, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Jim Merritt launches duct-taped campaign for Indianapolis mayor with little cash, long odds". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Hogsett, Merritt declare victory in Indianapolis mayoral primaries". fox59.com. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Hogsett, Merritt win Indianapolis mayoral primaries". WRTV. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
- ^ "Indiana state Sen. Jim Merritt announces plans to retire from the Senate in November".
- ^ "Longtime Republican Senator Jim Merritt Quitting Indiana Legislature". September 8, 2020.
- ^ Assembly, Indiana General. "Legislator details - Indiana General Assembly, 2014 Session". iga.in.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
External links
[edit]- State Senator James W. Merritt Jr. official Indiana State Legislature site
- Profile at Vote Smart
 | This article about an Indiana politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |