Arvin Roberts-Indiana Democratic state Rep. Rita Fleming retires after winning unopposed primary

2025-05-03 05:36:32source:Thomas Caldwellcategory:Contact

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana state Rep. Rita Fleming announced Monday that she is Arvin Robertsretiring, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.

The Democratic lawmaker from Jeffersonville in southern Indiana was first elected to the statehouse in 2018. Fleming’s statement said she is leaving office immediately.

“I have 15 grandchildren, and they and the rest of my family are my priority,” Fleming said in a statement. “Legislative sessions are long up at the Statehouse in Indianapolis and it takes a lot of work to properly represent House District 71.”

Fleming was facing a rematch in the general election against Republican Scott Hawkins, who she narrowly beat in 2022 by a margin of about one point. A caucus will chose her replacement on the November ballot.

Fleming was the the ranking minority member of the insurance committee and served on the natural resources and public health committees.

A retired obstetrician-gynecologist, Fleming is known for authoring and backing legislation related to reproductive healthcare, including a 2022 law that prohibits the shackling of inmates during labor and delivery.

READ MORE Despite Indiana’s strong record of second-in-command women, they’ve never held its highest officeAndrew Nembhard’s late 3 gives Pacers 111-106 victory over Knicks. Indiana moves within 2-1Indiana GOP governor nominee Mike Braun announces his choice for lieutenant governor

This year, she authored a bill requiring hospitals to offer postpartum Medicaid patients birth control. Democrats became divided over it after a committee removed the option to offer intrauterine devices or IUDs.

The final law signed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb requires hospitals to offer those patients a subdermal contraceptive arm implant birth control option after giving birth.

“As a retired physician with decades of experience under her belt, Rita’s empathy, care and firsthand insights helped her improve Indiana’s public health and healthcare policy,” House Democratic leader state Rep. Phil GiaQuinta said in a statement.

More:Contact

Recommend

Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan

One woman died after a family of three from Singapore got into a car accident in Miaoli, Taiwan on S

USMNT vs. Bolivia Copa America updates: Christian Pulisic scores goal early

The U.S. men's national soccer team kicks off what it hopes will be a highly successful Copa America

1 dead, 7 injured in Dayton, Ohio shooting, police asking public for help: reports

One person is dead and seven were injured after a shooting took place early Monday morning at a larg