Sue Ellspermann leaves office as Lt. Governor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Sue Ellspermann’s resignation as Indiana Lieutenant Governor was effective at 5 pm Wednesday.

Question persist about the reason or reasons why she left office mid-term, but there was little talk of that on her final day in the Statehouse.

She presided over the state Senate for the final time, but she also took time out to be honored in the House of Representatives where she began her political career.

The House Speaker called her departure bittersweet and members of both parties paid tribute to her service.

“You are a very strong woman,” said Rep. Kathy Richardson (R-Noblesville) “but you show it with kindness and compassion.”

“Her enthusiasm, her steadfastness, her integrity and her reliability will generally be missed in these hallways,” said Rep. McNamara (R-Evansville.)

The stated reason for Ellspermann’s departure is her desire to be the next president of Ivy Tech.

“Leaving one job leads to another,” said Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) “and we certainly hope that you receive your dream job.”

That doesn’t explain the timing because it will be months before the Ivy Tech job will be filled.

But this was not the day to supply answers.

“God opens doors,” said Ellspermann, “puts those in front of you and our job is to say yes and go through them.”

Former state GOP chairman Eric Holcomb is her successor. The General Assembly must confirm his nomination before a swearing in on Thursday afternoon.

Meantime, the Indiana Democratic Party issued a statement accusing the governor of kicking off women’s history month by kicking out his female lieutenant governor.