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Republican Joanna King Becomes Newest State Representative

Joana King for the People
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Middlebury Republican Joanna King is the newest member of the Indiana House of Representatives.

A private GOP caucus chose King in a narrow vote Tuesday evening to replace Christy Stutzman, who recently resigned her seat to focus on her family’s business (and blaming Gov. Eric Holcomb’s COVID-19 restrictions in the process).

Stutzman endorsed King to take her seat, calling her a “principled conservative” and a problem solver.

King, who runs a small business, is also a longtime local school board member. She touted that experience to the precinct caucus, calling herself a strong conservative voice, not afraid to stand toe-to-toe with anyone.

King is the 15th lawmaker in the last four years to initially join the General Assembly via a private caucus election.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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.