Jim Merritt
Member of the Indiana Senate
from the 31st district
In office
November 7, 1990 – November 4, 2020
Preceded byWilliam Vobach
Succeeded byKyle Walker
Personal details
BornIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationIndiana University,
Bloomington (BA)

James W. Merritt Jr. 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.[1][2][3] 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

Merritt received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Indiana University in 1981.[4] Professionally, Merritt is vice president of corporate affairs for the Indiana Railroad Company.[3] He previously served as district assistant to representative Elwood Hillis.[5] He is divorced and has two daughters and one son.[3]

Merritt was elected chair of the Marion County Republican Party in March 2017.[6] He replaced Mike McQuillen.[7] He resigned as County Party Chair in December 2018.[8] Bryce Carpenter took over as interim county GOP chair.[9]

On January 10, 2019, Merritt announced that he was running for Mayor of Indianapolis in 2019.[10] He won the primary on May 7, 2019. Merritt was soundly defeated by the incumbent Joe Hogsett.[11][12]

In September 2020, Merritt announced that he would be retiring from the State Senate on November 4.[13][14]

Committees

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.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "List of All Offices and Office Holders". capitolandwashington.com. March 5, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  2. ↑ "5 Nov 1990, Page 43 - The Indianapolis Star at Newspapers.com". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Indiana Senate Biography Archived May 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Indiana Senate Biography Archived 2010-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ http://legdb.iga.in.gov/#!/legislator/6527/James-Merritt
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "Merritt to run for Marion County GOP chairman". www.ibj.com. February 2, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Jim Merritt resigning as Chairman of the Marion County Republican Party". fox59.com. December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Merritt mulling mayoral run after quitting job as GOP county chairman". www.ibj.com. December 17, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Jim Merritt launches duct-taped campaign for Indianapolis mayor with little cash, long odds". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Hogsett, Merritt declare victory in Indianapolis mayoral primaries". fox59.com. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Hogsett, Merritt win Indianapolis mayoral primaries". WRTV. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Indiana state Sen. Jim Merritt announces plans to retire from the Senate in November".
  14. ↑ "Longtime Republican Senator Jim Merritt Quitting Indiana Legislature". September 8, 2020.
  15. ↑ Assembly, Indiana General. "Legislator details - Indiana General Assembly, 2014 Session". iga.in.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2019.


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