Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann To Leave Office March 2

INDIANAPOLIS -- The governor’s office confirmed Thursday that Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann will officially step down March 2. 

The House and Senate will vote to confirm her replacement, Eric Holcomb, the next day.

Gov. Mike Pence announced last week that Ellspermann would leave his administration in pursuit of the top job at Ivy Tech.  After discussions with legislative leaders, the administration targeted Wednesday, March 2 as her final day in office.  On March 3, Speaker Brian Bosma says the General Assembly will vote to confirm Eric Holcomb as Ellspermann’s successor, which Bosma says he hopes will be an easy process.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be a topic of long debate on the floor of our Democratic colleagues," Bosma said. "I’m sure it will have all Republican votes without any rancor about it.”

House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath says he looked at the last time the legislature voted to confirm a new lieutenant governor – 2003, after the death of Gov. O’Bannon elevated Democrat Kathy Davis to the LG spot.  Pelath notes her nomination was confirmed by a simple voice vote, without objection by the then-Republican minority in the House.

“When Lt. Gov. Davis entered office, she was afforded courtesy, and I like to receive courtesy and repay courtesy when possible.”

Pelath says he thinks the state’s chief executive should have the right to choose his second-in-command.