LAFAYETTE, Ind. —
Indiana House Democrats have voted to replace Rep. Patrick Bauer as their leader amid criticism over how he’s handled campaign fundraising and spending heading into the November elections.
Members of the Democratic caucus made the move today during a meeting in Lafayette. Twenty-three members of the 40-member caucus attended the meeting.
Rep. Linda Lawson of Hammond has been chosen to be the new leader.
Bauer led Indiana’s House Democrats for a decade and spent most of that time as House speaker. But bruising losses in 2010 gave Republicans a 60-40 majority and control of redistricting that virtually ensured Democrats would remain in the minority.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether today’s vote is binding. Bauer said Wednesday it wasn’t legitimate under caucus rules, but other caucus members disagree.
State News
Bauer out, Lawson in as Indiana House Dems’ leader
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