Connie Lawson

Connie Lawson
61st Secretary of State of Indiana
Incumbent
Assumed office March 16, 2012
Governor	Mitch Daniels Mike Pence Eric Holcomb (Elect)
Preceded by	Jerry Bonnet (Acting)
Personal details
Born	(1949-04-20) April 20, 1949 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jack Lawson
Children	2

Connie Lawson (born April 20, 1949) is the 61st Indiana Secretary of State. A Republican, Lawson is a former member of the Indiana Senate where she served as Majority Floor Leader.

Early life, education, and career

Lawson was born and raised in Danville, located in Hendricks County in central Indiana. She graduated from Danville High School. She attended Darden School of Legislative Leadership, and received her diploma from Association of Indiana Counties in 1995. In 1998 she went to Bowhay institute for Legislative Leadership.

Lawson was elected Clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court in 1988, and served two four-year terms before running for the Indiana Senate. As clerk, her responsibilities included maintaining all records of the court and overseeing elections. During this period, Lawson also served as President of the Indiana Clerks’ Association and chair of the group’s legislative committee. This experience would later prove useful in the Senate and as Indiana’s chief elections officer.

State Senate

After incumbent State Senator Dick Thompson decided to run for Congress in 1996, Lawson joined a five-way Republican primary race for the open seat. She won her party’s nomination and the November General Election, representing the 24th District in west-central Indiana. She was appointed Majority Floor Leader in 2006, the first woman in Indiana to hold this leadership position. She served in the Senate for sixteen years.

During her tenure, Senator Lawson chaired the committees on Local Government, Joint Rules, and Elections. She was also assigned to the Tax and Fiscal Policy, Rules and Legislative Procedure, and Appointments and Claims committees.

Among her many legislative achievements, Lawson was instrumental in establishing the Department of Child Services to protect Indiana’s children from abuse and neglect. In the 2012 Legislative Session, she authored a local government reform bill aimed at nepotism and conflict-of-interest. Lawson also advocated for the expansion of the Ivy Tech Community College system and the construction of a new campus in Greencastle, Indiana. She championed the photo ID requirement to prevent voter fraud, the option for counties to use vote centers, on-line voter registration capability, HPV education for sixth grade parents, and moved school board elections to the General Election where turnout is higher and more voices are heard on education matters.

Indiana State Senate 24th District Election Results, November 2, 2004

Indiana State Senate 24th District Republican Primary Election Results, May 6, 2008

Indiana State Senate 24th District Election Results, November 4, 2008

Secretary of State

On March 16, 2012, Connie Lawson was appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels to serve as Secretary of State.^[1] Governor Daniels called her the obvious choice because of the local and state elections experience she brings to the office. Although she had just over a month to prepare for her first primary election as Indiana’s chief elections officer, Lawson’s extensive experience with elections as a county clerk and state senator resulted in a successfully administered primary.

The Secretary of State is one of five constitutional officers enumerated in the Indiana Constitution. The Secretary was originally charged with maintaining state records and preserving the state seal, although the powers of the office have expanded significantly.

As Secretary, Lawson oversees over sixty employees in four divisions (Securities, Business Services, Auto Dealers, and Elections). She travels the state extensively and regularly meets with foreign delegations and her counterparts in other states.

In addition to her government work, Lawson is an advocate for stronger awareness of health issues, such as cervical cancer, lupus, and youth suicide prevention.

Indiana Secretary of State Election Results, November 4, 2014^[2]

Awards and Honors

Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Career Recognition Award-2012

Mental Health America of Indiana, Lifetime Achievement Award-2012

United Way of Central Indiana, Zup’s Imagination Award—2012

Danville High School, Distinguished Alumnus—2012

Indiana Hands & Voices—2011

Mental Health America of Indiana, Legislator of the Year—2010, 2011

Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Legislator of the Year—2010

Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Champion—2009

Indiana Psychology Association, Legislator of the Year—2009

National Federation of Independent Business, Guardian of Small Business—2008

America Academy of Pediatrics Indiana Chapter, Supporter of Child Immunization—2008

Women in Government, Presidential Leader Award-2007

Ronald Reagan Legacy Award—2001

Indiana Clerks’ Association Clerk of the Year—1993

Indiana State Election Board Election Administrator of the Year—1993

1993 Cleark of the Year

Personal

Connie Lawson is married to Jack Lawson, has two children Brandon and Kylie, and seven grandchildren. She and her husband own and operate Lawson & Company, an auctioneer and real estate business.

References

External links

• Official Indiana Secretary of State website
• Profile at Project Vote Smart