Sue Ellspermann

Sue Ellspermann (born April 29, 1960) is an American academic administrator and former politician who served as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. From 2010 to 2012 Ellspermann served in the Indiana House of Representatives from the 74th District, representing Warrick, Spencer, and parts of Dubois, and Perry County, Indiana.^[1] Ellspermann is a member of the Republican Party. Ellspermann resigned as lieutenant governor on March 2, 2016, to become the president of Ivy Tech Community College, a position she began on July 1, 2016.^[2]

On May 21, 2012, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence announced the choice of Ellspermann as his running mate in the 2012 election. They defeated Democratic opponents John Gregg and Vi Simpson in the general election.^[3]

Early life and career

Ellspermann was born in Ferdinand, Indiana, and is one of six children to Tom and Betty Boeglin.^[4] She graduated in 1978 from Forest Park High School in Ferdinand, Indiana.^[5] In 1982, Ellspermann graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial engineering, and in 1996 she received her PhD from University of Louisville.^[6] Before entering state politics, Ellspermann founded the business consulting firm Ellspermann and Associates Inc. In 2006, she became the founding director of the University of Southern Indiana's Center for Applied Research.^[7] In 2012, Ellspermann became the Director of Strategic Engagement for the strategic marketing firm Transformation Team, Inc.^[6]

Indiana House of Representatives

In 2010, Ellspermann ran for the Indiana House of Representatives, for the 74th District. She defeated 14-year incumbent and Democratic Majority Floor Leader, Russ Stilwell.^[8]

Ellspermann served one term in the Indiana House during the 2011-2012 legislative session. Ellspermann was appointed and served on the committee's for:^[9]

• Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development
• Elections and Apportionment
• Employment, Labor and Pensions, (vice chair)

During the legislative session, Ellspermann was a co sponsor of H.B. 1210, prohibiting state agencies from entering into a contract or making a grant to any entity that performs abortions or operates a facility where abortions are performed, with exceptions including in cases of rape, incest, or for the life of the mother.^[10] H.B. 1210 has been criticized by many organizations for repealing Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and for blocking funding for other health services that Planned Parenthood provides for those on Medicaid.^[11] Ellspermann cosponsored H.B. 1007, establishing a pilot program requiring drug testing for TANF applicants, and twice voted in favor of a statewide smoking ban bars and restaurants.^[12][13][14] Ellspermann was a co-sponsor and leader in passing H.B. 1001, Indiana's right-to-work law. H.B. 1001 prohibits employers from requiring employees to join a labor organization.^[15] During a right to work debate with other lawmakers in Evansville, Ellspermann said that "Right to work is a legitimate strategy to help attract and grow jobs. Indiana loses out on potential job creation because some companies won't consider moving here."^[16] Ellspermann sponsored four bills during her tenure, two of which becoming law, including HEA 1312; expanding state regulatory authority of poultry sellers at farmers markets,^[17] and HEA 1173; changing the requirements in which employees can file a complaint against their employer through the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration.^[18]

Lieutenant Governor of Indiana

2012 gubernatorial election

Ellspermann, along with Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, were rumored as likely running mates for U.S. Representative and Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Pence in Indiana's 2012 gubernatorial election.^[19] On May 21, 2012, Pence announced that he would pick Ellspermann as his running mate on the joint-ticket to run against Democratic candidates, former Indiana House Speaker John R. Gregg and Minority Leader of the Indiana State Senate Vi Simpson, as well as Libertarian candidates Rupert Boneham and Brad Klopfenstein.^[20] The choice of Ellspermann was hailed among officials and members of the Indiana Republican Party, and was criticized by Gregg, who called the Pence/Ellsperman ticket "the tea party ticket."^[21] They were officially nominated at the Indiana Republican convention on June 10, 2012, to run in general election.^[22] On November 6, 2012, Pence and Ellspermann defeated Gregg and Boneham, with 49% of the vote.^[23]

Tenure

Ellspermann was sworn is as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana on January 14, 2013, succeeding two term incumbent Becky Skillman.^[24] As lieutenant governor, Ellspermann headed the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Office of Energy Development, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Office of Tourism Development.^[25]

Ellspermann resigned before the completion of her term on March 2, 2016.^[26] Mike Pence nominated Eric J. Holcomb to serve the remainder of her term.^[26]

Personal life

Ellspermann is a resident of Ferdinand, Indiana, with her husband Jim Mehling, the principal of Forest Park High School. They have four adult daughters.^[27]

Ellspermann is a practicing Roman Catholic, and is a member of the St. Ferdinand Parish, where she and her husband are on the Strategic Planning Committee.^[28] She was previously a twenty-year member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Evansville, where she served on the Parish Council and the Stewardship Commission, and was a eucharistic minister and lector.^[27]

Electoral history

2010

2012

References

External links

• Official site
• Profile at Project Vote Smart

Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
Harrison Boon Thompson Stapp Wallace Hillis Hall Bright Dunning Lane Willard Hammond Morton Baker Cumback Sexton Gray Hanna Manson Chase Nye Haggard Gilbert Miler Hall O'Neill Bush Branch Van Orman Bush Townsend Schricker Dawson James Alexander Watkins Handley Parker Ristine Rock Folz Orr Mutz O'Bannon Kernan Davis Skillman Ellspermann Holcomb Crouch (elect)